Let's Count, Sum Critters
Each gorgeous page is filled with critters begging to be counted and summed, from spots on butterflies and legs on turtles to flower petals and stripes on fishes. Whether in the classroom or at home, your child will love exploring each picture to find more and more examples of each number on its page. The rhyming text is easy to read and includes the basic addition facts for each number from one to ten.
Notes for Parents and Educators
While this is a fun book to read and explore on its own, this book can also be used educationally in many ways. Read on to find many examples of way this book was designed to help your child learn not only math and art, but science, poetry - and even music!
Counting and Math Facts
Each page contains detailed images, begging to be counted, along with the addition math facts that make up the particular number being illustrated.
This portion of the Seven page shows the math fact 4+3, illustrated by 7 lines on the tree (3 above and 4 below). Similarly there are 5 leaves below the 5+2, leaving you to hunt for the other two elsewhere on the full page.
What other examples of 7 can you find in this picture?
Hidden Numbers
Each page also contains hidden numbers. The number of hidden numbers depends on the page. For example, the full two-page spread for the number 7 will contain seven hidden 7s.
Can you find 5 of the hidden 7s on this portion of the Seven page?
Nocturnal scene with opossum and raccoon
Frog pond with lily pads and cattails
Habitats
Each page represents a different habitat. On each page you will find animals, plants, and scenery that represent that habitat.
What are some other plants and animals you might find in these habitats?
Flower garden with insects and snails
Beach with turtles and sea shells
Poetry
Each page includes rhyming text that includes the addition math facts for the number being illustrated. The language is easy to read, and the rhymes make the facts easy to remember.
Try rewriting the poem on this page using a different animal.
Music
Music is an extension of poetry. In this case, the text of Let's Count, Sum Critters was written in the same musical pattern as the song "Yankee Doodle".
Try singing this text to the tune of "Yankee Doodle.
Art
Each page in this book has been lovingly hand painted by professional artist Kathleen Dentes. She specifically designed each illustration, not to be glanced at while the text was read, but to be examined in detail, over and over. Each stripe, each spot, each petal or curly vine was added for a purpose: to be counted.
How would you have illustrated this text? What colors would you have chosen?
Jungle with monkeys and jungle birds
Title Page
Teamwork
The author, Kristin Yarnell, and the artist, Kathleen Dentes, worked closely together while creating this book. Sometimes the artwork had to be updated to better match the text. Other times, the poems had to change to fit better with the illustrations. But this book would not have happened if they had not worked together as a team.
Try working with a partner to rework a page in this book. Brainstorm together and be willing to make changes to your work.
KDY Press is a private imprint dedicated to providing quality educational books.
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