How long do puffins live? Where does a mayflower get its name? What cat is known as the “gentle giant”? Did you know that blue whales are related to the hippopotamus, or that Maine is home to America’s largest black bear population? And what do they have to do with a new number book? All of these facts and many more can be found in the wonderfully educational “Fishing for Numbers, a Maine Number Book,” written by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds, an 11th-generation Maine native who lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., and beautifully illustrated by York, Maine, resident Jeannie Brett.

The target age group for this colorful cornucopia of treasured and almost-forgotten regional trivia is not apparent from the text. It looks like a children’s book, but there’s more in here for older siblings and parents than for children who are just learning to count.

Reynolds and Brett take the reader on a tour of local wildlife, shipyards, Eastern white pine forests, historical landmarks and local legends. Each page offers its unique factoid illustrated with the corresponding number in sequence and poetic prose or verse simplifying the subject.

“20 burly black bears,
big and brawny and brave,
sleep without worries or cares
in a cozy mountain cave.”

Brett’s work may be familiar to those who’ve seen Sleeping Bear Press’ alphabet series—she previously illustrated “L is for Lobster: A Maine Alphabet” and “M Is for Mayflower: A Massachusetts Alphabet Book.” Kudos to Brett for bringing Maine to life on the page for both parents and children to enjoy, and kudos also to the Michigan-based Sleeping Bear Press for honoring distinct regional flavors with its unique alphabet and counting books.

Jeannie Brett, illustrator will read from “Fishing for Numbers: A Maine Number Book” onThursday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at RiverRun Bookstore, 7 Commercial Alley, Portsmouth, 603-431-2100