Ten Little Axolotls is a simple counting picture book that follows a group of tiny lake-dwelling creatures as they wiggle, hide, hunt, drift, and play through their moonlit world. Each page adds another axolotl with its own small trait. Some are bashful, and some are sneaky, and some are wild at heart. The book moves like a soft lullaby with repeating rhythms that guide young readers from one number to the next.

The writing has a gentle rhyme that reminds me of bedtime stories I loved as a kid. The lines feel cozy. The rhymes are enchanting and give the book a handmade charm. The images have this soft glow with what looked like hand-drawn art on each page. I kept smiling at the tiny quirks of each axolotl. Each one was so cute on the page and I’m sure children will love looking at them as parents read this story to them. I also liked how the rhyming story slips in facts about their colors and habits without sounding like a lesson. It feels playful and light.

The book drifts from one description to the next, which is pleasant. The sense of calm and the watery world kept pulling me in, and I felt oddly relaxed as I read. There is something soothing about watching these creatures wiggle through their day and night.

I would recommend Ten Little Axolotls to very young children and to adults who love reading gentle nature-themed children’s books aloud. It works well for bedtime. It works well for early counting practice. It will especially charm kids who enjoy animals that feel a little magical.

Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0FTV74XHH