Countdown to Spring! An Animal Counting Book - Hardcover

Schulman, Janet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0375813640 ISBN 13: 9780375813641

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2002

Synopsis

What a wonderful way for preschoolers to practice counting and, at the same time, celebrate the coming of spring! From ten little ladybugs crawling all around the crocuses to one Easter basket brimful of carrots, corn, berries, and other treats for the animals, this book is a joy to share with a very young child. Meilo So’s inspired and deft watercolor paintings of bunnies, chicks, ducklings, and other little woodland creatures set against a tapestry of flowers capture the very essence of spring.

About this title

About the Author

Janet Schulman is the editor of The 20th-Century Children’s Book Treasury and You Read to Me & I’ll Read to You.

Meilo So is the award-winning illustrator of The 20th-Century Children’s Poetry Treasury, The Beauty of the Beast, Tasty Baby Belly Buttons, and It’s Simple, Said Simon.

From the Inside Flap

rful way for preschoolers to practice counting and, at the same time, celebrate the coming of spring! From ten little ladybugs crawling all around the crocuses to one Easter basket brimful of carrots, corn, berries, and other treats for the animals, this book is a joy to share with a very young child. Meilo So s inspired and deft watercolor paintings of bunnies, chicks, ducklings, and other little woodland creatures set against a tapestry of flowers capture the very essence of spring.

Reviews

reS-K-It's spring and children are invited to count "10 Ladybugs crawling all around the crocuses.-9 Butterflies See them flutter by," and so on, counting down to one colorful Easter basket "filled with treats for all the animals." Softly rendered illustrations of the creatures and their surroundings bring the story to life with graceful energy and a sense of seasonal excitement, while providing clear examples of the numbers 1 to 10. On the final page, the wildlife is shown in a group, next to their corresponding numbers, allowing for visual comparison and reinforcement of the concept, as children are encouraged to "count them all again." The text tells a very simple story with just enough action to keep toddlers and preschoolers interested. A good choice for small group or one-on-one sharing.

Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NY

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Ages 2-5. Beautiful watercolors bloom from the pages of this small, satisfying counting book. "It's spring!" exclaims the text above illustrations of a wild, flowery field. "Do you think the children who live here will remember their animal friends on this special day?" The counting exercises from ten to one come in the subsequent spreads of meadow creatures and spring images: "10 ladybugs crawling all around the crocuses"; "1 Easter basket"; and so on. The text flirts with consistent rhymes and rhythms that never really come together, but So's joyful, carefree watercolors, filled with cuddly creatures, perfectly convey the excitement of spring--its brilliant, fresh colors and new life. This isn't a necessary purchase, but it offers attractive, seasonal material for toddlers learning their numbers. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0375813640
• ISBN 13: 9780375813641
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: So Meilo
• Number of pages: 32