Caillou, One or Many

Irene Punt is a published author and elementary-school teacher in
Calgary, Alberta.

The Caillou Peek-a-Boo series offers good language-development
possibilities for pre-schoolers who are learning to ask and answer
questions using specific words such as “on, under, behind, inside,”
and introduces them to new concepts in fun ways.

Caillou, One or Many asks the question, “How many?” Children are
encouraged to find and count the objects in Caillou’s toy box and
behind his teddy bear, among other places, to help them understand the
concept of quantity. Caillou, Tell Me What asks the question, “What is
Caillou hiding?” The objects are hidden on his body and children are
encouraged to name the parts of Caillou’s body. Caillou, Tell Me Where
asks the question, “Where is Caillou?” Is the young boy on his
rocking horse or under it? Caillou, Tell Me Which asks the question,
“Which is which?” When Caillou’s cat, bunny, and mouse all have
“whiskers,” Caillou learns how to classify things that share the
same characteristics.

The answers to the questions in each book are hidden. Children can have
fun peeking under the flaps while they learn. The best of the books is
Caillou, Tell Me What—the last page nicely ties the previous text
together. All of the books have wonderful, boldly colored illustrations
and the added fun of inviting children to look for either a hidden mouse
or ladybug. Recommended.