Alphonse Knows...Zero Is Not Enough

by H. Werner Zimmermann

Here is a wonderful new series designed to introduce basic concepts to young children. Guided by a delightfully wacky artist named Alphonse, the reader discovers that it's easy to learn if learning is fun.
Each book is centered around a familiar and well-loved holiday. In creating a Valentine, Alphonse works with shapes. He discovers the joy of color while trying to paint Easter eggs. He counts Halloween candy to learn about numbers, and memorizes the months of the year on New Year's Eve.
This highly expressive and spunky character is always well-meaning but usually just a little off the mark. He sets out to accomplish something quite simple but never manages to do it correctly the first time out.
But Alphonse knows when to ask for help. Throughout each book, he speaks directly to his young readers, encouraging them to take an active, verbal role in helping him through his various mishaps. Children will to love this spritely and colorful character (and his little mouse friend, a
supportive but silent partner) and experience the joy of learning in a highly animated way.
This first book in the Alphonse Knows series deals with numbers and counting. Alphonse knows it's important to have enough Halloween candies for everyone. He's sure a tooth fairy would ask for one, a pirate would take two, and a witch would want at least three. But as he counts, he makes a
terrible mistake. He doesn't know what to do, but he does know that zero is not enough!

Genres: Counting, Halloween, Childrens

28 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 2002

About the author

H. Werner Zimmermann was born in Austria but grew up in southern Ontario, Canada. He writes and illustrates his own picture books, and also illustrates books for other authors.