Desert Digits: An Arizona Number Book

by Barbara Gowan

Scorpions and Gila monsters, jackrabbits and coyotes, bats, butterflies and 14 varieties of hummingbirds are just a few examples of the diverse wildlife population of Arizona. While 25 percent of Arizona is blanketed by lush forests, it is also the only state where four deserts are found. Its varied terrain includes vast plateaus, deep caves and caverns, steep canyons and lofty mountains -- even volcanoes. Desert Digits guides children through the wonders of Arizona, where they can pan for gold, shoot the rapids on the Colorado River and camp in the Grand Canyon. They will also learn about Native American art and traditions, how to avoid a scorpion sting, how tall cacti grow, and the right way to make and eat a tortilla.

Genres: Geography, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2006

About the author

Former park naturalist and currently sales director for Discovery Toys.

Lives in Scottsdale Arizona.

Reviews

[Tricia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

(copied from my book review blog: Patricia's Particularity)

This picture book goes through the number system, from 1 to 15, and then it jumps up to 20 and continues in increments of 10 until 100. Each number is then corresponded with an element that represents the state of Arizona in some way. For example, for number 70: "Beads of shell, discs of silver, and chunks of turquoise are created into 70 pieces of jewelry worn by Indian girls and boys". Also, with each number, the main thing that is being counted is then given a little description on the side. For example, the hummingbird is counted for the number 6 and then a brief description about the hummingbird's speed, what it eats, and the best place to see hummingbirds, is given.

This book does a pretty good job of being an instructional tool to learn how to count while making the process a little easier for children (and their parents) by connecting the numbers with real life animals and objects. This picture book would be perfect in a school setting. It could be used in the lower grades in programs that focus on learning how to count and/or elements of Arizona. This could also be used in a public library setting for a program that focuses on the west, Arizona, desert, etc.

Outside the obvious benefits of this picture book, the illustrations are very beautiful as well and do a great job of capturing what Arizona and the desert look like.

[Patricia (Patricia's Particularity) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book goes through the number system, from 1 to 15, and then it jumps up to 20 and continues in increments of 10 until 100. Each number is then corresponded with an element that represents the state of Arizona in some way. For example, for number 70: "Beads of shell, discs of silver, and chunks of turquoise are created into 70 pieces of jewelry worn by Indian girls and boys". Also, with each number, the main thing that is being counted is then given a little description on the side. For example, the hummingbird is counted for the number 6 and then a brief description about the hummingbird's speed, what it eats, and the best place to see hummingbirds, is given.

This book does a pretty good job of being an instructional tool to learn how to count while making the process a little easier for children (and their parents) by connecting the numbers with real life animals and objects. This picture book would be perfect in a school setting. It could be used in the lower grades in programs that focus on learning how to count and/or elements of Arizona. This could also be used in a public library setting for a program that focuses on the west, Arizona, desert, etc.

Outside the obvious benefits of this picture book, the illustrations are very beautiful as well and do a great job of capturing what Arizona and the desert look like.

[Loren Toddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, awesome illustrations from a great Illustrator. What can I say? I am a big fan of art.