Oluwalase Babatunde Benson can identify the make and model of most vehicles that pass on the road by his village by sound alone—a skill he clearly has learned at his grandfather’s side. Hence his nickname: No. 1 Car Spotter. Many of the adults from No. 1’s village, including his father, have gone to the city to earn money to help support their families. No. 1 lives with his mother, aunt, and grandparents in his family’s compound. Like the other children in his village, he helps tend goats, sell goods at market, and does many other chores. Still, No. 1 is happy to avoid work when he can. But when a crisis strikes, No. 1’s creative problem-solving fuels a delightful series of events comprising this short novel that showcases aspects of contemporary life in a rural African village, including the strong web of relationships among the people living there. (The specific country in which the story is set is referenced but never named.) Author Atinuke brings her lively storytelling voice and plenty of warmth and humor to the first book in this new series. (Ages 6–9)

Oluwalase Babatunde Benson is Number 1. He's the Number 1 car spotter in his village.The Number 1 car spotter in the world! The start of an exciting new series about the irresistible Number 1, whose hobby is car spotting, but who is good at solving all sorts of problems for his village.