Zero Is Not Enough

This early learning title belongs to a series meant to teach foundational concepts to very young readers through play. Its guide is Alphonse, an eccentric artist who has a lot of energy and good intentions but often misses the mark. Each book is built around a holiday children already know. Alphonse tackles a simple task and fails to finish it correctly on his first try, though he recognizes when he needs help. He talks straight to the reader and invites children to call out answers and help him sort out each mishap. A little mouse who never speaks keeps him company as a loyal sidekick.

This first volume focuses on numbers and counting. Alphonse wants every trick-or-treater to get a fair share of Halloween candy. He reasons about how many pieces a tooth fairy, a pirate, and a witch would each expect, but while he counts, he slips up badly. Now he has to work out what to do, and the story shows that zero is not enough.