just published its companion volume. This time, the focus is on counting and her beautifully illustrated `My Bermuda 1,2,3,' should go to the top of this year's Christmas list for young children's books.

Dedicated to "those learning to count,'' each of the subjects `counted' in the book continue her Bermuda theme: there are, for instance, Two Palms, Four Lizards, Seven Crabbies and even eleven glamorous Bermudian pink-tailed mermaids.

One of the most delightful illustrations is the page devoted to "Nine angels'' who "whisper in the wind.'' These heavenly bodies who fly with art deco-feathered wings through a starry sky, include a plump granny and a balding grandpa, a diapered baby sucking furiously on a dummy, and a highly startled black cat.

Well known for her distinctive watercolours and etchings which she exhibited in a solo show earlier this year at the Bermuda Society of Arts, Ms Cooper is the art director of RG Magazine.

A graduate of Parson School of Design and the National Academy of Design in New York, Ms Cooper received the Edward Mooney Award from the National Academy of Design for her etchings for the ABC book.

Last year, she provided the illustrations for Roxy Kaufmann's Rainbow Book.

Her new book consists of 13 watercolours, all of which reflect her whimsical and often witty view of a child's world. Simply drawn and painted in clear, vibrant colours, the book has instant eye appeal for the young child.

"It's suitable for parents to read to their children at a very early age, and of course, children from about four or five would enjoy counting themselves,'' says Ms Cooper.

"I would like to add,'' she emphasises, "that I'm an artist, not a writer, so my books are primarily picture books for children to look at.'' Ms Cooper, who says that she has always loved the Beatrix Potter books, admits that it is British and European illustrators, such as Mucha, Babette Cole and Jane Ray who have most influenced her.

This latest book was designed and printed in Montreal.

`My Bermuda 1,2,3' will be launched at Cooper's this Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., when Ms Cooper will be on hand to sign copies of her book.

`My Bermuda 1,2,3' retails at $15 and is on sale at major stores throughout the Island.

DANA'S NEW BOOK -- Artist Dana Cooper (pictured above right), illustrator and author of `My Bermuda 1,2,3,' (above left) will autograph copies at Cooper's this week.