Books to Count On
New picture books teach numbers, early math
By Karyn M. Peterson -- Playthings, 5/1/2007
It all adds up—as children grow and begin to crave interaction with the world around them, identifying familiar objects and learning how to count them becomes an exhilarating pastime. Fortunately, retailers can build on this excitement by stocking up on some of the unique new number books that debut this spring and summer, each of which would look at home on any toy store shelf. And to compound sales, display each title with plush and toy versions of the objects depicted in the books.
In 123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City, created by photographer Joanne Dugan—the follow-up to her lauded ABC NYC—a dizzying array of landmarks and icons of the Big Apple serve as an engaging tool to help kids learn how to count to 20. And for parents, this celebration of the city and its diverse population of kids is a welcome reminder to find wonder and excitement in each new day. Includes NYC location list. ($15.95) Abrams, New York
Counting with Wayne Thiebaud, by Susan Goldman Rubin, is an unusual board book that combines a lesson in counting to 10 with a kid-friendly introduction to contemporary art from the acclaimed author of kids' books Degas and the Dance and Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter. Thiebaud's bright paintings and etchings of sweet treats and desserts are perfect complements to the simple text. ($6.95) Chronicle Books, San Francisco
In celebration of the beloved Goodnight Moon's 60th anniversary, Thatcher Hurd has created Goodnight Moon 123: A Counting Book, a clever companion to Margaret Wise Brown's classic bedtime story that repurposes the illustrations of his father, Clement Hurd, to teach numbers. Little learners will especially enjoy the familiar words and images incorporated from the original. ($16.99) Harper Collins, New York
In the jovial How Many Mice?, by author/illustrator Michael Garland, 10 mice hunt for food—and learn simple addition and subtraction along the way. An ideal read aloud for older children, the tale follows the mice's dramatic adventures as they collect berries, corn and more; tangle with a bunch of hungry crows and flee a wily fox with designs on their celebratory feast. ($15.99) Penguin Books (Dutton), New York
Caldecott-winning author/illustrator Suse Macdonald's Fish, Swish! Splash, Dash! Counting Round and Round is actually two charming board books in one. First, kids learn to count to 10 as they turn each die-cut page to reveal a different underwater scene. And when they reach the end, they can flip the book around and learn to count back down again! ($8.99) Simon & Schuster (Little Simon), New York
In the board book Counting Cockatoos, written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated in vibrant acrylics by Stephanie Bauer, kids are invited to count all manner of creatures—including a pair of cockatoos—on each spread. The simple text and range of wild animals, from elephants to turtles to tigers, will capture the imagination of any animal-loving kid. Also available in hardcover and as a floor puzzle. ($7.99) Barefoot Books, Cambridge, Mass.
