1 Is One

by Tasha Tudor

The classic book with Tasha Tudor's verse and Caldecott Honor illustrations, 1 is One is a charming introduction to numbers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Counting, Number, Mathematics, Fiction, Classics

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Tasha Tudor was an American illustrator and author of children's books.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet children’s rhyming story counting 1 to 20. Each page is a delicate work of art in my mind. Sadly, all the pages are not in color. It is only every other one. I love seeing the swallows flying in the sky or eggs in a nest. It is simple and I was moved by the beauty of the pages.

The children were not as moved by the beautiful art as I was. The youngest thought it was rather boring. He liked the animals and gave it 3 stars. The niece thought it was pretty and it was to baby for her. She has been able to count for years now. So, she gave it 2 stars. I would say it’s for younger children or anyone that appreciates art.

I like Tasha and her eye for nature.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful counting book full of the most pretty drawings and paintings of flowers, birds, animal and children. The pages alternate between pencil drawing and painting, there is so much to look at and all very appealing and interesting.

Read on open library.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just stunning! I love Tasha Tudor and this book is a beautiful display of her signature style of old-timey New England, full of warmth and charm and period details. I appreciated, too, the rhyme scheme and the diction (some of the words, like "rye" and "heath" are ones that many children today may not be that familiar with but in context it works beautifully and can be a good way to learn new words).

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very disappointed to see that this board book edition is, as it says on the cover, “Abridged from the Caldecott Honor Book” because I wanted to read the full book, but received this edition.

The illustrations are fabulous, and make this simple counting book a lovely one. Young children will probably have fun with this board book edition, but I’m off to my library’s web site to see if I can borrow a copy of the full edition. I also want to see just how abridged this edition is.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this with my four year old. Tasha Tudor's illustrations once again make this the loveliest counting book on our shelves.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars (6/10 hearts). This has always been a favourite picture book of mine. The text is charming, with it’s gentle rhythm and rhyming (which somehow I didn’t realize until wreath/heath...). But the illustrations! Tasha Tudor is a favourite artist, and these paintings are so beautiful and dainty and detailed! I’d be hard pressed to pick a favourite, but maybe the bird’s nest… This is definitely a staple for all households with toddlers learning to count!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tudor's illustrations are so delightful, you really should add this to your list of early books for your children. Numbers go up to twenty.

I’m still on the hunt for this one.

See which counting books our family is enjoying right now: watch my reel!

Ages: 3 - 7

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.

I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful illustrated books I've read. The images are soft and lovely. The reader feels like you are reading and falling into a soft, puffy bedspread of pastel colors. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to purchase a copy.

A 1957 Caldecott honor book, using the numbers one - twenty, and alternating two-page spreads between black on one spread and then color on the next two page spread.

This is the first book I've read of Tasha Tudors delightful art work. I will be seeking more.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had another book by Tasha Tudor that I grew up with, so I enjoyed seeing the familiar illustration style here. Another thing I liked is that this book goes all the way up to 20 (seems most counting books only go to 10), which is nice since my preschoolers seem to have the most trouble with the mid-teens. Not all of the objects are clearly grouped together in an easy way for young kinds to count though, so it hasn't been as interactive as some.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Alphabet book with with classic Tasha Tudor illustrations of Annabelle and her dolls. Beautiful.

[Aly Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Book summary
-Counts to 20 while using familiar situations children can relate to. It counts and describes animals, sounds, children, items, and more. Shows children that numbers are everywhere and they can count absolutely anything.

• Caldecott Honor Book

• Grade level, interest level, Lexile
-Pre-K through kindergarten

• Appropriate classroom use (subject area)
-Use while teaching children how to count up to 20.

• Individual students who might benefit from reading
-All students can benefit. It introduces numbers and the fact that numbers are everywhere. Children will begin to see all the things they can count around them which will increase practice.

• Small group use (literature circles)
-Have students read together and then find something in the room to count.

• Whole class use (read aloud)
-Ask students what can they count at home to open up their minds to the idea numbers are everywhere.

• Related books in genre/subject or content area
-“A time to Keep” is another fun story written by Tasha Tudor. This time children can learn about holidays.

• Multimedia connections
-Available with Kindle or as a paperback.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, old-fashioned book with a nicely lyrical poem that helps children learn how to count to twenty. It's also a good book for beginning readers.

Its short sentences and cute illustrations are good for them to practice reading while also counting. Our oldest read this one to us at the library.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Caldecott Honor counting book. Sure it's nice, but there are better counting books. It is showing its age but not really in a bad way. The subjects of the art still work. And the choices for the art are pretty and not trite. But they are also not especially exciting or engaging. And the text is only okay.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little rhyming counting book with charming, old-fashioned illustrations. This one goes from 1 through 20 and each number gets its own spread. The spreads alternate between full color and black-and-white. I'm sure we will be reading this one many times!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a counting book by Tasha Tudor which won the Caldecott medal. Read it with an older toddler and try not to both become lost in Mrs. Tudor's soft and detailed art, it is impossible.

[Aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I am not the target audience

[Taylor Hurd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so great. I loved the watercolor illustrations. They really added a lot of detail and brought the book to life. This book is great for teaching numbers in such a fun way. This book is great for very young children who are learning their numbers.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: 1 is One
Author: Tasha Tudor
Illustrator: ^
Genre: Concept Book, Counting book
Theme(s): Numbers, counting, animals, rhyming
Opening line/sentence: “1 is one duckling swimming in a dish.”
Brief Book Summary: This rhyming number book aids in helping children to identify each numeral from 1 to 20. Each number is represented with words and pictures, as well.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
(http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...)
If you enjoy a book with a bit of nostalgia for a more bucolic time, then this is the board book for you. It alternates color and black-and-white spreads and counts from 1 to 20. In the opening scene there is one fuzzy yellow duckling swimming in a dish followed by two sisters making a wish. The opposing page shows two humming birds sipping the nectar from some flowers. The two girls are attired in dresses with blouses that have puffy white sleeves and aprons with big bows, so you know that this is not a contemporary pair. The pictures of animals and nature and children communing with it all are pretty and soothing, and very young children will enjoy the rhyme, counting to ten and the details in the illustrations. This is an abridged version of the 1956 picture book that won a Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
The Horn Book Guide Online
PS New ed., 1956, Oxford.
(http://www.hornbookguide.com.ezaccess...)
Tudor's Caldecott Honor–winning counting book makes an acceptable, if marginal, board book. Tudor's delicate illustrations are a bit difficult to make out in the smaller format, but the simplicity of the counting rhyme (from one to twenty) makes this suitable for the audience.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Neither review raves about the book, but instead refer to the book as being “acceptable” and suitable for young children. They do not have anything negative to say about the book, however. I would have to agree with them. The book is not very exciting, but is basic enough for a young child to enjoy and learn from.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book was intended for a young audience. (Mainly those who are learning to count and identify numbers). Young readers are able to count the objects in the pictures to determine what number is being described. They can also practice identifying the written number with the actual word. The rhymes create a flow, making the book an easy read.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
By using magnetic or wooden numbers on a board, this book could be used to aid in number identification. Even a simple pointer would work. Children could use it to come point to the number on the whiteboard that corresponds with the number in the story.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a beautifully illustrated counting book. It goes up to 20, which is not often seen in picture books as they usually go only to 10 and that is nice. It's illustrations definitely deserve the Caldecott Honor it received. It has some rather dated references. I don't think many modern kids would have encountered slates or gourds hanging up to dry. It's not surprising as this book was originally published in 1956. This does not mean it shouldn't continue to be shared, it just might need some explanation for some things. Overall, a nice counting book.

[Emily Revelas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tasha Tudor is the author of this book over simply counting objects and giving illustrations. Unlike other common counting books in the 2000s, Tudor includes vocabulary you would have heard in the 19th or 20th century, along with similar illustrations. This book is a Caldecott Honor book for her illustrations!

I gave this book 4 stars because of the wonderful illustrations and vocabulary. On the other hand, students in the 21st century in a kindergarten classroom might not know the meaning of these vocabulary so this would be a book that needed more instructional time than other counting books. I would leave this book for a segment in the classroom that would instruct kindergarten or pre-k students to their numbers and counting items. I would make sure I had time to explain the vocabulary while I was reading to the students, because if you didn't then your lesson would not make as much sense as a modern counting book to these students.

[Capn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome value in a counting book: not only are the illustrations absolutely gorgeous, the historical content in this is perfect. They might well ask, "What's a slate?", and they even have a pictorial reference for your explanation of chalk + slates as a reusable writing tablet. The children 'dressed in their (Sunday) best' with hats and pinafores... we're talking Anne-of-Green-Gables era here. Very pretty. My favourites have to be the illustrations of the animals - if you like Gerda Muller, you will like Tasha Tudor (and vice versa - check out Gerda Muller, who is much more recent, comparatively speaking (still pre-dating me, though, for example!).

A simple counting and rhyming book, with numbers (numerals) and the numbers repeated as words to read.

I wish they still made books like this. I guess the artwork takes too long to be profitable now... :(

[Carolyn Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can see this being a lightbulb moment for many a child--and the illustrations are just gorgeous. Tasha Tudor for the win.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 1957 Caldecott Honor Book •

The text and pictures seem very dated, but this is charming to me for some reason anyway. The illustrations are really ornate and I think the type is hand-lettered which gives it a really sweet, folksy feel. My favorite illustration is of the cherries. I also like that the numbers go up to 20 - it seems most only go to 10.

Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic children's book that I personally don't recall, but it is possible that I read it as a child. beautifully illustrated and presented in a very old style, this introduces the very young person to the idea of numbers.
Let's face it numbers are something that is not an automatic principle to grasp, even though it does become second nature, and this does a great job in a very simple way too introduce numbers,
Good old classic book.

[Victoria Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mathematical picture book explains numbers through twenty by showing an example, telling the numeral value, and telling the word meaning of each number. This book includes detailed illustrations of number examples within nature. This story can help the reader better understand the concept of numbers, visually see what the values mean, and strengthen their comprehension abilities.

[Nadine Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I labeled the book, 1 is One, in the Informational Text: Math genre. It is evident why this book was a Caldecott Honor book through it's simple text that counts from one to twenty and it's super dainty illustrations of animals, nature, and children. It's an easy read and easy on the eye, so it will captivate young readers quickly.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple counting and rhyming book. Where most counting books go only up to 10, this one goes up to 20. It is very sweet and appealing, with soft illustrations.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute illustrations.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found 1 is One on the ALA website. It is a Caldecott award winning book written and illustrated in 1956 by Tasha Tudor. 1 is one is a counting book that counts up 20. It is a picture book with minimal text. The pages are beautifully draw with what now looks like an antique style. Each number has a two page artwork spread. The first of the two pages is a small picture of what is happening in the larger picture on the second page or a different perspective. The illustrations are a combination of black and white stretches and color illustrations. and The illustrations and words are interdependent of each other and the pictures extend the words. Some of the pages have rhyming words.
This is a good book for preschoolers and toddlers who are learning how to count and learning early literacy. This book can be paired with a counting activity or counting rhymes.