Counting BooksCounting Books This creative counting book takes readers
of all ages through 20 photos in which readers
can see a numeral in the pattern. Sometimes
the numerals are not usual or obvious. While some picture
books use a swan's neck to depict the numeral 2, this book uses
it to depict 3; because the shadow of the graceful neck in the
water turns it into a three. At first glance, readers
count eight stumps in the water but since the numeral 7 is
on the page and the stumps are fashioned in the shape of a seven.
This discovery is almost as delicious as the two bagels
that are one on top of the other to make the letter 8.
Except for the hair curl for #6, none of the photos are really contrived.
The author provides notes at the end in case anyone is in
doubt and in some cases she provides information about
where the pictures were taken. Each page contains all numerals
from 1-10 or 10-1; the numeral in the picture is highlighted.
Even though the numeral is not spelled out, this book can be
used with ESL, English as a Second Language, students of all ages.
Adults and children can be asked to write out the numeral after
looking at the photos. School and public libraries will
want this counting book. Libraries that own ARLENE ALDA'S
ABC (Tricycle, 1993), will especially want the counting book.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Appelt, Kathi. TODDLER TWO-STEP. Illus. by Ward Schumaker. New
York:
HarperCollins, 2000. unpg. 0-694-01244-0; $5.95 hb.
98-75697 PreSc E
Short and Sweet.
Read to the Beat! Filled with rhyme and rhythm,
ten little toddlers dance from one to ten and back again.
The story begins with two young ones and increases by two
even more energetic youngsters as the text
counts in pairs.
Upon reaching ten, the count reverses and decends
back to one. The energy level of the two-steppers decreases
accordingly. The simplcity of the cartoon-like figures
depict lively, smiling, animated
cherubs, robust and
chubby, on bright solid backgrounds. Sharing
this title is certain to encourage participation and frolicking
fun.
Patricia Fittante; Children’s Librarian, Escanaba
Public Library, Escanaba, MI
Baker, Keith. QUACK AND COUNT. New York: Harcourt,
Inc., 1999. unp.
0-15-205025-6 pb. $6.00
PreS-K
This is an entertaining counting book about seven ducks
in rhyming verse. Baker adds a twist with some addition
facts supported by the illustrations on each two-page spread.
The illustrations are cut-paper collage in bold, textured
color. They are simple and captivating, bleeding to the
edges of each page. The reverse print text is clear and large,
making is easy to read aloud to a young audience.
Lynette Suckow, Peter
White Public Library, Marquette, MI
Beil, Karen Magnuson.
MOOOVE OVER!: A BOOK
ABOUT COUNTING BY TWOS.
Illus. by Paul
Meisel. New York:
Holiday House, 2004. unp.
ISBN 0-8234-1736-0 hb. $16.95. PreS – Gr. 2
E PIC
This is a tale about a trolley whose driver counts the passengers as they
board two by two, until a pushy cow crowds her way on board and makes the driver
lose track of his numbers. Then the cow demands the other passengers
“Mooove Over!” to giver her enough room for all of her stuff. Finally
the driver stops the trolley and recounts his passengers, finding he has one too
many, and orders the pushy cow to leave. In the back of the book is a page
for parents or educators to use for math enrichment activities, called More
Fun With Moove Over! Math. It has several games you can do to improve
counting by twos. This story is amusing and appropriate for Preschoolers
through Second grade.
Laurel Miller, K.I. Sawyer Learning Center and Library.
Chester, Jonathan and Kirsty Melville. SPLASH! A PENGUIN
COUNTING BOOK. Illus with photos.
Berkeley, CA: Tricycle,
1997, 2000. 32p. 1-58246-042-6 pb. $5.95 Gr. K-3 513.2
or E
There is a sentence and a numeral opposite a photo
that covers more than one of the pages. Even without being able to
read the sentence, “readers” can just enjoy the photos and count the charming
penguins and enjoy their antics. This picture book can enhance any
study of penguins or the Antarctic.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Cohen, L. Caron. HOW MANY FISH? Illus. by S. P. Schindler.
New York: Harper, 1998. 24p.
ISBN 0-06-027713-0; hb., $12.95; 0-06-027714-9; lib.bdg., $12.89
PreS-Gr. 1 ER
The title and cover illustrations are inviting
and informative to the reader and participants.
The format of this easy reader is done well.
The type size is large and displayed up and down
to swim the reader along. The fish and feet
are given character that keeps the audience involved in the
story. You can go to the seashore, cool off your
toes, use your counting and color skills, and witness
the saving of one happy yellow fish.
Sue Danielson, Library and Teacher Aide, Ishpeming Public Schools, Ishpeming,
MI
Deegan, Kim. MY FIRST BOOK OF NUMBERS. Illus by author.
1-58234-755-7;
bd.bk., $7.95 New York: Bloomsbury,
2001. 16p. PreS BB
This board book begins with a small child rolling
a ball toward bowling ball pins and works through a variety
of play activities to one big mess. The books,
blocks, crayons, puzzles are within the experience of
preschoolers. This is a successful counting board book.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Dorros, Arthur.
TEN GO TANGO. Illus by Emily Arnold
McCully. New York: HarperCollins, 2000.
32p.
0-06-027690-8; hb., $15.95
0-06-027691-6; lib.bdg., $15.89
Gr. K-3 E
A band, really a quintet, plays for other animal
dancers in groups of one through ten:
one osprey dances ballet, two toucans two-step,
four foxes fox-trot, nine walruses waltz, and ten flamingos
tango. Alliteration abounds. Readers can
tap, rumble, or strut with the animals. The creative
layout adds interest to the book but unfortunately some
of the illustrations are lost at the center of pages.
A special feature involves two pages showing doors that
open into a four page spread which shows all of the animals
dancing. The text is imaginative and will engage
readers who can listen or dance with the animals even though
the last four phrases would make more sense if they were in quotations.
Despite this problem, this lively book is good for public
library story hours because it is great for audience participation
and will a good read aloud for preschools and primary grades.
School library media specialists should show this book tor their
P.E. teachers.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Edwards, Pamela Duncan. ROAR! A NOISY COUNTING BOOK
. Illus. by Henry Cole. New York:
HarperCollins,
2000. 32p. 0-06-028384-X hb.$15.95
0-06-028385-8 lib.bdg.
$15.89 Gr. K-1 E
This counting book in rhyme moves from 1-10 through
a story about a little lion who inadvertently
scares away the other animals with his roar.
It is not until he finds nine other little roaring cubs
that he does not intimidate. It will
be impossible to keep one child or a group of children from
roaring at the end of the book. The illustrations are large
and clear for reading aloud to a group but it is unfortunate
that part of the picture is lost in the fold for two pink flamingos,
six green crocodiles, and eight brown gazelles. The
book also introduces ten colors. The LC subject
lists this book as a jungle book but it is really about grasslands
animals. The blurb on the back flap utilizes the pattern
of the story to introduce the author and illustrator.
These biographies could be used as models for children studying
grasslands to create their own bios. Purchase for school
and public libraries for the counting story or the grasslands
and color connections.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Freymann, Saxton and Joost Elffers. ONE LONELY SEA HORSE
.
Photos by Nimkin/Parrinello. New York:
Levine/Scholastic, 2000. 32p.
0-439-11014-9; hb., $15.95 99-33396
PreS-Gr. 4 E PAULIN'S
PICKS
Numbers begin with one blue sea horse named by
Bea and end with ten anglefish in this imaginative
counting book. The illustrations on the bright
blue background are creative as well as spectacular.
Bea is made of a chioggia beet and the other sea life are
created from various fruits, vegetables, spices, and mushrooms.
The four lobsters are made from ginger roots and the five
turtles are made from pineapples. Closed bananas
are used for the six dolphins and peeled ones are used for
the eight octopuses. Pictures and captions of each of
these food items are provided on the end papers and the only
drawback to the book is that there is a different set of end papers
in the front so that the last page of the back set is covered by
the book jacket flap so that seven of the items are not visible.
The rhyming text consists of mostly couplets with the exception
of the beginning rhyme which has four lines and another which
has three. The rhyme is not forced probably because the
text contains a sentence of dialogue from the sea creatures as they
speak to Bea. There are numerous double page spreads and
most of the overlapping creatures are lined up properly.
This is a creative and visually appealing book that will have children
and adults pouring over the illustrations again and again.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Glaser, Higashi. HELLO KITTY, HELLO NUMBERS! New York,
NY: Harry N.
Abrams, Inc.,
2002. 32 pgs. 0-8109-0505-1 hb. $10.36
PreS–Gr. 2 E
Young children
will enjoy the bright colors and simple shapes of the
Hello Kitty characters in this basic counting book.
Glaser includes each number, its written name, countable objects,
and a complete sentence describing those objects from 1 to 20.
It would be a welcome addition to personal or classroom collections.
Lynette
Suckow, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI
Greenstein, Elaine. DREAMING.
Illus. by author. New York: Levine/Scholastic,
2000. 32p. 0-439-06302-7;hb.,
$15.95. 99-25125
PreS-Gr.2
E
A navy background accentuates the
mood of the this bedtime counting book illustrated
with monoprints overpainted with gouache.
The illustrations evoke Van Gogh's "Starry Night."
even though that famous painting was executed in oils.
Numerals from 10 to 1 are made up of stars and are accompanied
by the word for each numeral and a brief description of
the picture. A double page spread at the end of the
book includes all of the previous images in one picture. This
is a satisfying bedtime counting picture book as well as a book
that can be used by art teachers to use with students of
all ages.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Harris, Trudy. 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL. Illus. by
Beth Griffis Johnson. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook, 1999.
32p. 0-7868-0507-2; hb., $15.99
0-7868-2443-3; lib.bdg., $21.90
513.2
or E
Because of the clever rhyme, this book can be
used as antiphonal choral reading. The
leader reads the longer part and when the page is
turned, the audience can give the response which is short
enough to be placed on cue cards or a transparency. The
book begins "If you go to school for 95 days, and then go 5 more
days, what do you get? Smarter and Smarter. And..."
BThe response on the verso of that page is "(how cool)/100
Days of School!" No hand signals need to be
given to elicit the response because the word "and" followed
by a pause appears at the end of each leader's section.
Each of the eleven sections begins with "if" and ends with "and."
No matter what the combination of numbers on each page, the
total comes to 100. This book is great for reinforcing numbers
or for classes who celebrate the hundredth day. Use in
conjunction with EMILY'S FIRST 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL by Wells
(Hyperion, 2000).
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Helakoski, Leslie. THE SMUSHY BUS. Illus. by Salvatore
Murdocca. Millbrook Press
2002. 32p. ISBN 0761313982 hb.
Gr. K-3 E PIC
Helakoski is a Michigan author from Lawton, in the
southwest corner of Michigan. Her
first book, The
Smushy Bus, is problem-solving story about a school bus driver who has
to fit a busload of children into a much smaller vehicle.
The driver stacks children in the seats, aisles and overhead racks to fit
them all in. The illustrations, by
Salvatore Murdocca, are bright, bold, and whimsical, turning this story about a
routine bus ride into a fantastic adventure in mathematics.
Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public
Library, Marquette, MI
Hughes, Shirley. ALFIE'S 1 2 3. Illus. by author.
New York: Lothrop, 2000. 32p.
0-688-17705-0; hb., $15.95
PreS-Gr. 2 E
Fans of Alfie and Annie Rose will enjoy this
counting book. Hughes is adept at working the numbers into a story.
The numeral and a dot for each number is highly visible for young readers.
The numbers move from one to ten and the last page tells of more stars than
a person can count.There are no words or illustrations to mark this as a
"British" book.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Hutchins, Pat. TEN RED APPLES. Illus. by author.
New York: Greenwillow, 2000. 32p.
0-688-16797-7; hb., $15.95
0-688-16798-5; lib.bdg., $15.89
PreS-Gr.2 E
PAULIN'S PICKS
Each new book by Hutchins is eagerly awaited
and this newest title does not disappoint. Children will enjoy repeating
the refrain "Yippee, fiiddle-dee-fee!"
They will also enjoy making noises with the horse,
cow, donkey, goat, pig, sheep, goose, duck, and hen.
Two endings for the farmer and his wife finish the countdown
from ten to one and then zero with a surprise. The
gouache end papers and bordered pages complete the colorful picture
book. This read aloud is an essential purchase for even
the smallest picture book collection.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Inkpen, Mick. KIPPER'S BOOK OF NUMBERS. San Diego:
RedWagon/Harcourt,1999. 20p.
0-15-202286-4;
bd.bk. $4.95 0-15-200646-X; pb., $6.00
95-15842 PreS-K
BB
This board book moves from one Kipper, two hedgehogs
to 9 snails and 10 friends (other dogs.)
The creatures are easy for toddlers to count and
Kipper's expressions are priceless. Add this to
board book collections in day care centers, public libraries,
and home collections.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Jackson, Woody. COUNTING COWS. Illus. by the author.
San Diego:
Red Wagon/Harcourt, 1995, 1999. 0-15-202174-4;
bd.bk., $5.95 PreS BB
This board book begins with 10 cows and works down
to zero and then skips to10 cows at a barn dance. The adjectives used
to describe the cows do not have continuity
nor do they always make sense. Is any animal
lazy because it is lying down? Most of the cows
are lying down on another page and they are called sunning,
not lazy. There is also no picture of a sun to help
toddlers get the idea of the sunnning. The haying heifers
are standing in front of rolled hay bales but does that make
them haying? Is there such a word as haying in this context.
The humans who made the round bales were once haying, but do
cows hay? How do readers know that the cows standing
in front of the barn are cautious? One big bovine is
correct; growing up on a dairy farm made readers aware of what
a bovine was, but does a toddler know or even care?
Board books for toddlers, unless they contain nursery rhymes
or nonsense rhymes, should be within their scope of their
scope of understanding. I don't think the intention
for this book, when it appeared first as a picture book, was intended
to be nonsense. Why do publishers think that every book picture
book will make a good board book? This one doesn't.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Johnson, D. B. HENRY HIKES TO FITCHBURG. Illus by author.
Boston:
Houghton, 2000. 32p. 0-395-96867-4;
hb., $15.00. Gr. K-3
E
Two bears decide to go to Fitchburg in their own way.
Henry is going to walk the 30 miles to Fitchburg
while his friend is going to work to make enough
money to take the train. The progress of the two
is chronicled in this picture book. Readers can add
up the money the friend needs until they reach 90 cents or they
can subtract the number of miles Henry needs to travel from
the 30 mile trip to learn how many miles Henry has traveled.
In the afterword, Johnson provides information about how
a few sentences from Henry David Thoreau’s WALDEN inspired
this picture book. Readers of all ages will enjoy the
illustrations and Thoreau’s philosophy of taking time to pick
blackberries. The colored pencil and paint illustrations
offer much for readers to look at again and again.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Kelly, Mij. ONE
MORE SHEEP. Illus. by Russell
Ayto. Peachtree Publishers,
2006. ISBN 1-01561453781 hb.
$16.95. Gr. K-2
EP
ONE MORE SHEEP is a counting book with style!
Mij Kelly has demonstrated how something as simple as counting sheep can
become a tale of suspense and bravery. When
Sam brings his sheep in from a thunderstorm, he cannot seem to count them all
before falling asleep. This
wouldn’t be a problem, except there’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing right
outside the door. How will Sam know if he’s missing a sheep when he can’t
stay awake to count them? The
sheep, in pen and ink drawings, will find a way. Illustrator, Russell Ayto, creates fantastic watercolors that span
both pages all the way to the edge. He
supplements the text skillfully with simple lines and strong hues of muted
color. You’ve never before seen
sheep like these!
Lynette Suckow, Youth
Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI
King, Dave. COUNTING BOOK. Photos by the author.
New York:
DK INK, 1998. 30p. 0-7894-3448-2;
$12.95 Gr. K-3
E
This beautifully illustrated picture book is about
numbers, counting, and the concept of how groups of items look. The
photos are bright with color. The numbers 1-0 are represented with
increments of 10 to 100. Then a two-page spread shows what
1000 items look like. This counting book captures the child's imagination
by making numbers fun. King asks questions to help the child count
and question. There are riddles and items to count and find.
Simple math entices the older child to experiment with numbers. The
book is large, well bound, has beautiful pictures, and is a joy to read.
At times the younger child may have difficulty with too much busy ‘stuff."
I give it four stars–it's wonderful!
Sue Falconer; Director, Whitefish Township Library,
Paradise, MI
Lark, Carrier. FIVE LITTLE CHICKS. New York: HarperFestival,
2003. 16p.
0-06-008299-3; bd. bk., $6.99 2002-100412
BB or 394.26
This holiday counting book is about five chicks who
wear their holiday bonnets and hats. Shorter pages
within this board book share the activities of the first
through fifth chicks and on the last page they all shown
together with the Easter Bunny who has been watching them.
This is a satisfying Easter book that is also a clever counting
book. Add to holiday
board book collections in preschools and public libraries.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Lobel, Anita.
ONE LIGHTHOUSE ONE MOON. Illus. by
author. New York:
Greenwillow, 2000. 32p. 0-688-15539-1;
hb., $15.95
0-688-15540-5; lib.bdg., $15.89 98-50790
PreS-Gr. 3 E
"All Week Long" shows the same cat on pages for
Monday through Sunday along with different
colored human feet, legs, and shoes such as Tuesday's
red shoes. "Nini's Year" shows the same
cat, which readers learn is named Nini, in each frame along
with a sentence about each of the twelve months. "In
the last month, Nini waits for good things and the following page
shows her with her new kittens. "One Lighthouse, One
Moon" shows Nini only on the first and last page. The numerals
move from one to ten with a nautical theme. The lighthouse
appears in illustrations in the first and last story but does
not figure in the narration. The double page spread
at the end of the book shows one hundred stars and one moon.
This picture book shares four concepts with readers: days of
the week, color, months, and numbers from 1 to 10. It's like
having four books instead of one which makes it a bargain for
preschool, school, public and home libraries.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Lyon, George Ella. COUNTING ON THE WOODS. Photos by
Ann Olson. New York: DK INK, 1998.
0-7894-2480-0, hb., $15.95. 97-34117
PreS-Gr. 3+ 513.2 or E
PAULIN'S PICKS
Lyon's book gives extra value for the money;
three different concepts in one picture book:
poetry, counting, and nature study. The
poem is in large print while the captions for the photos
appears in lighter, smaller, italic print. Each photo
caption explains all or part of a rhyming couplet; "Eight
flowers fed on dirt and showers." The captions identify
crested dwarf iris, star chickweed, trillium, and
lady slippers. Five nests are also identified.
The pages for "Ten trees whose innumerable leaves clean
the air for everything that breathes." can prompt a discussion
of photosynthesis or air pollution. Upper Peninsula teachers
will want a copy for their own rooms and other teachers will want
copies available to use with biome studies. This is a picture book
for all age groups and is a necessary addition to school, public,
and home collections.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
McGrath, Barbara Barieri. THE CHEERIOS COUNTING BOOK.
Illus. by Rob Bolster and Frank Mazzola, Jr.
New York: Scholastic Cartwheel, 1998.
32p. 0-590-00321-6; hb., $10.95.
97-52819 PreS-K
513.2 or
E
This book begins by counting cereal from 1-10.
Then numerals from 11-19 are included on
one page. The counting of cereal continues
by tens up to 100. The last number is zero.
The text is in an unidentified rhyme scheme that is
not satisfying. A plus is that the book can also
be used to identify fruit. Although no names of fruit
are included and the fruit is not shown in a bowl with the
cereal, the requisite number of banana, peach, and kiwi
slices as well as blueberries and strawberries are realistic
and appealing as they frame the pages. McGrath's THE
M&M's BRAND CHOCOLATE CANDIES COUNTING BOOK (Charlesbridge),
available in regular and board book editions, is a more
satisfying book. The advantage of the Cheerios book
is that the fruit and cereal are more nutritious.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Melmed, Laura Krauss. THIS FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY:
A COUNTING STORY.
Illus by Mark Buehner. New York: Harper,
2001. 24p 0-688-14554-X; hb., $15.95
0-688-14555-8; lib.bdg., $15.89
94-14215 PreS-Gr. 2 E
or 811.54
This book serves as a holiday and a counting book.
There is a short poem for each numeral up
to a dozen. Pilgrim and Native American children
are shown working on double page spreads that alternate
between numbers and the two groups of children. The
illustrations are “saccharine sweet.” The last double
page spread, for the number 12, shows the "Wampanoag and
Pilgrim friends/together will break bread." This
is a very idealistic view of the First Thanksgiving Day.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Merriam, Eve. TEN ROSY ROSES. Illus. by Julia Horton.
New York: HarperCollins, 1999.
unp. 0-06-027887-0 hb., $14.95. 0-06-027888-9
lib. bdg. PreS-Gr. 2 E
or 811.54
A favorite children's poet provides a counting
rhyme from 10 to 0. The roses are picked
by children until none are left. The illustrator
provides a nonverbal twist at the end of the book
when readers find out where the roses went. Will the
teacher guess where the roses came from? The numeral
and the eight rosebuds are prominent on each page and the
rhyme is in large letters for group reading or for beginning readers.
The children are from various ethnic backgrounds and the illustrations
are in bright bold colors. This book makes an engaging
read aloud and fits the poetry and counting bills also. Purchase
for public, preschool, and primary school libraries.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Murphy, Stuart, J. ANIMALS ON BOARD. Illus. by R.W.
Alley. MathStart series. New York:
HarperCollins, 1998. 32p.
0-06-027442-5, lib. bdg. $14.95.
97-11733 PreS-Gr.2 E
A truck driver, Jill, watches as this story
presents five simple addition problems which
involve a series of passing trucks loaded with
various animals. The numeric problems are imbedded
in the text, and using this pattern, the reader can practice
his/her addition while trying to guess what the final
destination of the truck is to be. Related
activities and stories are appended for parents and teachers.
Bright watercolors provide helpful visual clues and although
the rhyming is somewhat droning, beginning mathematicians
will enjoy this counting story.
Patricia Fittante, Children's Librarian, Escanaba
Public Library, Escanaba, MI
Murphy, Stuart J. CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE AND THE SPACE SHAPES: LEVEL 2-THREE
DIMENSIONAL SHAPES. Illus. by Remy Simard. MathStart series. New York: HarperCollins, 2001.
40p. 0-06-028022-0 hb. $15.95
0-06-028023-9 lib.bdg. $15.89 K-Gr. 2 516 or
E
The MathStart series scores again! An excellent
way to introduce a unit on three-dimensional
shapes is this story about Captain Invincible and
his intrepid space-dog, whose name just happens to
be Comet. Done is colorful cartoon fashion, the illustrations
draw the readers right into the adventure using the Space
Shaper panel, with its three-dimensional bottons that include
a cube, a cone and a pyramid. The captain and his
pup wage a war against a meteor shower, a flying saucer, poison
gas, and a galactic beast. The book concludes with reinforcing
activities and strategies that parents and teachers will
appreciate. So count down earthlings...get ready for
take-off into a fun and educational reading experience!
Patricia J. Fittante; Children’s Librarian, Escanaba
Public Library, Escanaba, MI
Murphy, Stuart J. MISSING MITTENS, Level 1: ODD & EVEN NUMBERS
.
Illus by G. Brian Karas. MathStart series.
New York: HarperCollins, 2001. 33p.
0-06-028026-3; hb., $15.95 0-06-028027-1;
lib.bdg., $15.89 0-06-446733-3; pb.,
$4.95 99-41334
Gr. 1-4 513.2
What a fun way to learn about odd and even numbers.
The humorous rhyming text provides an interesting
way to learn about odd and even numbers from 1-8.
Readers see Farmer Bill in his red underwear, then
while fully dressed--except that he can’t find his other
mitten. Illustrations share the concept that one
mitten is “odd,” and two mittens are “even.” The
word “pair” is mentioned in the rhyme. Humor again
enters the book when Bill notices that the cow only has three
mittens rather than four on her teats and a drawing reinforces
the “odd” and “even” concept. Other animals wearing
mittens are three chickens who should have six mittens and two
horses who should have eight. The mitten thief is finally
found; a goat eating the mittens. This book can also be used
to teach counting by twos (1, 3, 5, 7 and 2, 4, 6, 8) as reinforced
by a drawing showing all the “odd” mittens in the top illustrations
and “even” mittens below. Although the farm is from the past
as evidenced from the old wood stove, it can be used for farmyard
animal recognition. As usual with this series, there are directions
“For Adults and Kids” which include helping children with the concept,
other activities, and other books about numbers.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Murphy, Stuart J. SEAWEED SOUP; LEVEL 1. Illus. by
Frank Remkiewica.
MathStart series. New York: HarperCollins,
2001. 40p. 0-06-028032-8; hb., $15.95
0-06-028033-6; lib.bdg., $15.89 99-087634
PreS-K 511.3
or E
It's never too soon to begin with math concepts.
At least that is the point that Murphy is
trying to get across with this level 1 MathStart
book. The concept is matching sets or one-to-one
correspondence. Appealing to the very young reader,
turtle concocts some green and slimy soup that SMELLS!
It is seaweed soup and it is Turtle's favorite lunch.
He decides to share it with his friends, Crab, Sandpiper, and
Seagull. One by one his friends come to the table that
requires Turtle to find additional place settings, creating
a dilemma for him. The whimsical illustrations encourage
the reader to match sets and count the items in each set.
Of help to the adult sharing the books with a child is concluding
ideas for extending what has been covered as well as offering appealing
ideas that strengthen the concept. A truly delicious find!
Patricia J. Fittante; Children’s Librarian, Escanaba
Public Library, Escanaba, MI
Murphy, Stuart J. SPUNKY MONKEYS ON PARADE. Illus.
by Lynne Cravath.
Mathstart Series. New York: HarperCollins,
1999. 32p. 0-06-028015-8; lib.bdg.,
$14.00. 98-6936
PreS-Gr.2 E
It's time for the Monkey Day Parade! The marshall then
the monkey majorette, lead a group of energetic
monkeys as they ride in 2's, tumble in 3's, and march
in 4's. Readers can find out just how many monkeys
there are as they practice counting by numbers greater than
one. A neat way to introduce multiplication. At the end of
the book the author lists suggestions to kids and adults for
ways to have more fun with the math concepts presented in her
book. Murphy's rhyming text is as lively as Cravath's art work and
together they have developed a fine sample of monkey business!
Patricia Fittante; Children's Librarian, Escanaba
Public Library, Escanaba, MI
Pallotta, Jerry. ICKY BUG NUMBERS. New York:
Scholastic, Inc., 2003.
32p. 0-439-56010-1 pb. Gr. 1-3
E
Pallotta is known for his
charming and unusual alphabet books, but this counting book doesn't have the
same impact. This book tries to include too many concepts, such as
counting, colors, patterns, insect identification, addition and subtraction.
The pages become too busy. The illustrations are colorful and
accurately drawn; however, the shadowing makes the bugs look out of focus.
Simple bugs without shadows would have made the pictures more clear.
However, children will still enjoy the bugs. Good reinforcement for
students who have already learned these concepts.
Lynette Suckow, Youth
Services, Peter White Public Librar, Marquette, MI
Pallotta, Jerry. REESE'S PIECES: COUNT BY FIVES. Illus.
by Rob Bolster. New York:
Scholastic Cartwheel, 2000. 32p.
0-439-13520-6; pb., $5.95. PreS-Gr. 3
E
The orange, yellow, and brown of the famous candy
are the predominating colors in this counting
book that also introduces various types of vehicles
like a pickup truck, front-end loader, school bus and
street sweeper. A few of the vehicles are green and the
Hershey's truck is a rich chocolate brown. The numbers
progress from 1 through 15 then by increments of five up
to 100. The last numeral is a zero because the candy
is missing. This book will appeal to anyone who plays
with toy trucks. Even if you have other food counting books,
McGrath's THE CHEERIOS COUNTING BOOK (Scholastic Cartwheel)
and THE M&M's BRAND CHOCOLATE CANDIES COUNTING BOOK (Charlesbridge), there is room for Pallotta's book because
it contains a story line and can appeal to an older audience
and especially to males.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Pomeroy, Diaina. ONE POTATO: A COUNTING BOOK OF POTATO
PRINTS .
Illus. by author. San Diego: Harcourt,
1996. 32p. 0-15-200300-2; hb.,
$15.00
0-15-202330-5; pb., $6.00
95-10986
PreS-Gr.3 513.2 or
E
The illustrations, potato prints using
acrylic paint, can be used to inspire students to make potato prints of their
own. Fruits and vegetables from 1-10 accompany the numeral which is
spelled out, and the name of the fruit or vegetable is given. After
10, Pomeroy continues by tens from 20 radishes to 100 sunflower seeds.
Two pages at the end of the book are devoted to creating potato prints.
Except for the radishes looking like small turnips, the illustrations are
realistic. This is a very appealing counting book and teachers, especially
art teachers, will be pleased that it is now available as a Voyager paperback.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Rand, Ann. LITTLE
1. Illus. by Paul Rand.
Chronicle Books, 2006. 40p.
ISBN 1-00811850048 hb. $15.95
Gr. K-2 EP
LITTLE 1 is a creative tale in which the main character, the
number 1, searches for friends in two’s, three’s, four’s, and so on.
These small groups reject offers of friendship, leaving the number 1 all
alone again. Can you guess what
happens when the number 0 drops by? Ann
Rand and her husband, Paul, collaborated on this story in 1962, which has just
been reprinted for a new generation of readers.
Paul Rand, a graphic designer, illustrated the story with line drawings
against bold blocks of color, and all that on an expanse of white.
The large text looks like it came from an old-fashioned (1950’s)
typewriter. The Rands were front
runners in writing math stories for the elementary grades.
It’s a treat to have this book in circulation again.
Lynette
Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI
Rose, Deborah
Lee. THE TWELVE DAYS OF KINDERGARTEN.
Illus. by
Carey Armstrong-Ellis. New York: Harry
N. Abrams, Inc., 2003. 30 pgs.
ISBN 0-8109-4512-6; hb, $14.95 PreS-Gr.
1 E
Based on the familiar rhythm and repetition of "The
Twelve Days of Christmas," this story can be read or sung.
Each day the teacher has a new activity for her kindergarten
class which fits into the counting theme. Carey Armstrong-Ellis
has captured the essence of a tumultuous kindergarten classroom:
the harried teacher, the child who won't let go of
the teacher's skirt, the boy with his finger perpetually in his
nose and the princess wannabe are all colorfully represented. I
wonder who will enjoy this book more - children or kindergarten
teachers!
Carolyn Anderson, L'Anse, Retired Elementary Teacher,
Public Library Board
Saul, Carol P.
BARN CAT: A COUNTING BOOK. Illus by Mary
Azarian.
Boston: Little, 1998. 32p. 0-316-76113-3,
hb., $15.95. 97-07052 PreS-Gr.2.
E
Azarian's uses hand-colored woodcut prints to
create attractive double spread pages with
the numeral in the upper right corner along with
a picture of the cat and objects from nature. The
double page spreads bleed successfully into each other except
for the swallows where one beak and part of the head are missing
in the fold. Each of the first four creatures are identified
by color: two brown crickets; three black-and-orange
butterflies; four gray swallows. Repetition of the
red barn door provides a fifth color so this book could also
be used to introduce colors although it would have been better
if the red barn were a brighter shade of red; it almost looks
brown. The story does not end with the 10 sparrows
but continues on until barn cat finds what she is looking for,
someone (a girl) who has narrated the story. The story
could have ended with the number 10 but from that point it seems
to switch from third person to first person when in reality
it is the narrator who finishes the story. Since the cat
and the little girl are both female, there is some confusion
about the who is doing the speaking when the counting part stops
and the last part begins. These flaws aside, you don't have
to be a cat lover to like this book. Children will
enjoy all three aspects of this handsome picture book.
Teachers will use it for color, counting, and nature studies.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Schertle, Alice. GOOD NIGHT, HATTIE, MY DEARIE, MY DOVE.
Illus by Ted Rand. New York:
HarperCollins, 1985, 2002. 32p. 0-688-16022-0;
hb., $15.95 0-688-16023-9; lib.bdg.,
$15.89 00-054111 PreS-Gr. 1
E
This is both a bedtime and a counting book. Hattie
held a parade of her ten stuffed animals and
dolls. As each number is announced in the
book, there is a description of the toy; i.e., “Three
was Tom, who used to sing “Yankee Doodle” until something
inside him went snap!/Though he couldn’t sing anymore,
Tom still looked very smart in a parade.”
Ten was Hattie herself. Daddy watched the parade and
Mama played the piano. Then the menagerie marched
to bed and Daddy tucked Hattie in. Then one by one, Hattie
decided she needed her toys with her. Her excuses were
varied. “Wait,” said Hattie. “Tom wants to sleep
in my bed. He’s afraid of the dark.”/ “I haven’t turned
the light out yet,” said Mama./ “Tom will make a fuss when you
do,” Hattie told her./ So Tom came out of the toy box, and
then there were 4 in Hattie’s bed.” After each addition the
parents took turns saying “Good night, Hattie, my dearie, my dove.”
This is a charming bedtime story. Parents will probably hope
that their “dearie” will not emulate this bedtime ritual with a parade
of their own. Although this is a read-aloud, the vocabulary
is simple enough for beginning readers to tackle on their own.
In any case, listeners will enjoy taking part in the refrain.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Sierra, Judy. COUNTING CROCODILES. Illus by Will Hildebrand.
San Diego: Gulliver/Harcourt,
1997. 0-15-200192-1,
hb. $15.00. 95-48787
PreS-Gr. 2. E or 398.2
It is no surprise that the author has told stories
and shared puppet programs with thousands of
children because her story has all the elements
of a good read-aloud. Sierra has taken a favorite
Asian folktale and turned it into an engaging counting
book. The rhyme will flow from the tongue of
the reader without missing a beat. The vocabulary
of delicious words is reminiscent of a nursery rhyme.
Read this one aloud often to the preschool and primary crowd
or use it as a pattern for older students on how to turn a folktale
into a rhyme. Hildebrand provides humorous illustrations
with lots to look at and to entice repeat readers.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Singer, Marilyn. QUIET NIGIHT. Illus by John Manders.
New York: Clarion, 2002.
32p. 0--618-12044-hb., $15.00
2001-023098 PreS-Gr. 3 E
This cumulative story in rhyme shares noises of ten
creatures beginning with one frog and ending
with ten campers. Other creatures are crickets,
mosquitoes, mice, raccoons, coyotes, fish, geese,
and owls. This audience participation story also
functions as a counting book. The gouache and color
pencil illustrations show the woodland creatures in a humorous
manner, illuminated by a full moon. The last sentence
is “What a NOISY night!” Sharing this book in libraries and
homes will also be a noisy activity. Teacher will use
the book to introduce woodland animals.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Spowart, Robin. TEN LITTLE BUNNIES. New York:
Scholastic Cartwheel, 2001.
24p. 0-439-20863-7; hb., $7.95 PreS
E
Spowart uses the same bunnies from INSIDE, OUTSIDE
CHRISTMAS (Holiday, 1998) and IT’S
HANUKKAH! (Holiday, 1999) to introduce numbers
from 1-10. The padded cover reinforces the concept
of soft bunnies. This book works well in story
hour programs with Spowart’s bunny books or with other
counting books. The book is also an excellent vehicle
for narrative pantomime because children can easily mime raking
and eating and with a little imagination can use hand motions for
sliding and flying. Giggling and singing will require
some personal restraint for children to mime but will add to the
fun. To further make this a winner for story hours and
personal reading, Spowart has included sounds for children to
make. Read the book three times, first with sounds next
with miming and then with both. Who said counting can’t
be fun?
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Swinburne, Stephen R. WHAT'S A PAIR? WHAT'S A DOZEN? Illus. with photos. Honesdale,
PA:
Boyds Mills, 2000. 32p.
1-56397-827-X; hb., $15.95
99-63097 PreS-Gr.3
E or 510
The following concepts introduced in this
book are: single, first, uni, pair, couple,
second, double, bi, tri, triple, third, several,
few, many,, half a dozen, a dozen, baker's dozen.,
and odd and even numbers. Readers are asked to
find a pair, identify a unicycle, find the person first in
line, and three other questions. The photos provide the
necessary reinforcement for the text so that readers understand
the concepts and are very good but not excellent in quality.
This book should be purchased by preschools,
elementary schools, public libraries, and for English as
a Second Language programs for children and adults.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth. COUNT DOWN TO CLEAN UP! Illus
by the author. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 2001. 32p.
0-618-10130-6; hb., $14.00 00-053963
PreS-Gr. 3 E
The collage illustrations are creatively deceptive;
the author has made them so that they look
easy enough so anyone could create them. There
is lots of color in the ten bunnies and their activities
in this counting book. It is helpful to read the front
flap before starting to read the book to realize that there
are clues "to know which bunny goes into which shop," and [to]
match each rabbit with what they brought to the community clean-up
day." The numeral as well as the spelling of each
number from 10 to 0 (none) makes this a counting book. As
they stop at each place, including the paint store and the public
library, a bunny goes in to get something to help with the
clean-up day at the park. There is lots to look at in
the illustrations and readers will return time and again to them
to make sure they have not missed anything.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Walsh, Ellen Stoll. FOR PETE'S SAKE. Illus. by the
author. San Diego: Harcourt,
1998. unp. 0-15-200324-X.
hb., $15.00 97-25677 PreS-Gr.
3 E
Pete, an alligator, thinks he is a flamingo
and wants to be pink like everybody else.
The others tell him not to worry because "You probably
aren't ripe yet. It takes longer for some."
When Pete sees some green flamingos (alligators) that
look like him, he discovers that "I'm different but the
same," and the pink flamingos counter with "Well for Pete's
sake, Pete," they said. "You always have been."
Without being didactic, the ideas of conformity and individuality
are introduced so that preschoolers and primary students
can understand. They will also see the humor in Pete's thinking
he is a green flamingo. This book can be used to introduce
pink and green colors and counting two and four.
The cut paper collages complement the text.
Public and pre-school libraries will appreciate this book
and school library media specialists will want to show it to
their counselors.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Walton, Rick. ONE MORE BUNNY: ADDING FROM ONE TO TEN.
Illus. by Paige Miglio. New York:
Lothrop, 2000. 24p. 0-688-16847-7;
; hb.,
$15.95 0-688-16848-5; lib.bdg., $15.89
99-27642 PreS-Gr. 3
E
This rhyming picture book is more than a counting
book from 1-10. A refrain "Here comes
one more bunny" sets the stage for the addition
of "one more" rabbit. Above the rhyme
there is a pen and ink sketch of one bunny and the numeral
1. The pattern is repeated on each page. An addition
problem is also given beginning with 1+1=2. There
are five math problems for number ten showing every possible
combination like 6+4=10 and 9+1=10. The last page lists
other items on the page which also represent the numeral; representing
number 6 there are also 5+1=6 yellow flowers in the necklace,
4+2=6 ladybugs, and 3 +3 rocks. Readers are unaware of these
objects until they see the list so it is fun to "re-read" the
book looking for the requisite objects. There are lots
of counting books out there but school and public libraries
should make room for "one more."
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Weeks, Sarah, COUNTING OVEJAS. Illus. by David Diaz.
Athenum Books for Young
Readers, 2006. 32p. ISBN 0689867506 hb.
$17.99 PreS-Gr.1 E PIC
This is a counting book with a twist.
The main character finds a series of colored sheep in his room when he
can’t get to sleep. Not only does
he count one white sheep, two brown sheep, and so on, he also has to get them
out of his room before he can go back to bed.
The short sentences are written in Spanish and English, making it very
easy to learn colors and numbers. David
Diaz outdoes himself with simple illustrations surrounded by bright hues of
jade, purple and blue. Wooly swirls
on the colored sheep make them look like cuddly stuffed animals that readers can
count over and over again.
Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public
Library, Marquette, MI
Wells, Rosemary. EMILY'S FIRST 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL.
Illus. by author. New York: Hyperion, 2000.
64p. 0-7868-0507-2; hb. $15.99
0-7868-2443-3; lib.bdg. $21.90 PreS-K
513.2 or
E
Wells illustrates this picture book in her style using
watercolor and ink illustrations. Told
in the first person, this book begins on the bunny
girl's first day of school. Her teacher,
Miss Cribbage, tells the class that they will write down
a new number in their number books and when they reach 100, they
will have a party. From one to three numbers appear
on the large pages until they reach 100 when the bunny has a surprise
she reveals in the letter she writes her parents and grandparents.
Many of the numbers are for items that are within common knowledge,
Crazy Eights, 9 planets, "Sixteen Tons," twenty questions,
"Thirty days has September...," a 45 degree triangle, 50 stars
on our flag, 52 cards in a deck, sixty minutes, and "Seventy-six
Trombones." Others are arbitrary, like a
scout troop number, steps up the state capitol steps, the
temperature, items on a shopping list, or number of children
on the school bus. There is lots of color in the book, even
on the end pages. Teachers and parents can introduce a page
a day until the day of celebration arrives. Use this
attractive book with 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL by Harris (Millbrook,
1999).
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Wheeler, Lisa. ONE DARK NIGHT. Illus by Ivan Bates.
San Diego: Harcourt, 2003.
32p. 0-15-202318-6; hb., $16.00
2001-005964 PreS-Gr. 3
E
The wax pencil crayon and watercolor illustrations
add humor to this scary story that ends with an upbeat
surprise. The book begins with a BIG GIANT bear in
a lair, glen, and den that are also preceded by “BIG GIANT.”
Everything about the bear in the next stanza is BEASTY--his
growls, feet, jowls, and treat. “Then, one dark night…”
a little mole and a little mouse go out into the night even though
the mole is scared of the dark. The bear is hungry, licks
his chops, and bares his “BIG sharp white teeth.” This
book can be read at bedtime but not for the first time. Read
it aloud to preschoolers first in the daytime so they won’t be so
scared and know the outcome when it is read to them at night so they
will be able to sleep without being afraid. The ending for
this book is priceless and even adults will be surprised.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Wiles, Deborah.
ONE WIDE SKY: A BEDTIME LULLABY. Illus
by Tim Bowers. San Diego:
Gulliver/Harcourt, 2003. 32p.
0-15-202334-8; hb., $16.00 006868 PreS-Gr. 2
E
Oil paintings of animals and people in a back yard
begin and end with “one wide sky” and go up to ten then
count back down again. Locating the proper number
of items is challenging for preschoolers in this rhyming counting
book. Anyone who has ever camped in the back yard and has
appreciated the nature there will especially like this book but
those who have not done so can be part of the experience vicariously.
Because this picture book ends with camping in the evening,
it makes a suitable bedtime book.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Williams, Sue.
LET'S GO VISITING. Illus. by Julie
Vivas. San Diego: Gulliver/Harcourt,
1998. unp. 0-15-201823-9, hb., $15.00
97-34398 PreS-Gr. 2
E
Vivid watercolors bring a boy and his dog to
life. Preschoolers will enjoy repeating the question "Let's go visiting.
What do you say?" And beginning readers will enjoy being able to read
them. This picture book is also a counting book because they meet one
brown foal, two red calves, three black kittens, four pink piglets, and
five green ducklings. The green ducklings are not realistic, but the
other colors are true to real animal colors even though not crayon
colors. Very few of the words are too difficult for beginning readers;
it is a treat to have a picture book that primary children can read themselves.
The illustrations are large enough to make this a satisfying read-aloud as
a quieting activity because the boy curls up with his dog and puppies at
the end. This versatile picture book deserves a place in collections.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Retired school library/media specialist
Ziefert, Harriet.
A DOZEN DUCKLINGS LOST AND FOUND. Illus.
by Donald Dreifuss.
New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2003.
unp. 0-618-14175-8 hb. $15.00
PreS-Gr.2 E
The bright, simplistic illustrations and bold, easy-to-read
text carry this counting book which features twelve ducklings
living on a farm. The story covers the hatching process
of eggs, and includes an information sheet on Muscovy ducks
at the end of the book. Besides learning how to count, readers can also
learn about ducklings.
Lynette Suckow, Peter White Public Library, Marquette,
MI
