One Guinea Pig Is Not Enough

by Kate Duke

A lonely young guinea pig is joined by more and more friends on consecutive spreads, until ten romping and finally very tired cavy companions return home to their moms or dads, who help bring the number of total guinea pigs up to twenty.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Childrens, Counting, Number, Pets, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Duke was born in New York City on August 1, 1956. She had said that reading was a favorite pastime all through childhood, and in an interview for Something About the Author noted that Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy was a fictional character she modeled, right down to keeping tabs on the people in her neighborhood. “I think I owe Harriet my first conscious awareness of the act of writing as important and meaningful work,” she said.

She attended Duke University in the mid 1970s and also took art classes in New York City, which helped solidify her growing ambition to create picture books. Her first book, The Guinea Pig ABC (Dutton) was published in 1983 and received warm accolades for its humor and inventiveness. She followed up her debut with Guinea Pigs Far and Near (Dutton, 1984) and several other titles starring the popular critters. Duke went on to craft more than 20 picture books, writing and illustrating her own work, as well as providing illustrations for other authors including Joanna Cole and William Hooks. Duke married cartoonist Sidney Harris in 1985.

Reviews

[Milton Louie]

Adding and counting. B

[Diane]

A little guinea pig is quite lonely until, one by one, nine others, plus ten of their parents, add to the general excitement.

[Michelle]

WAY too long for very young children, but cute

[Tracy]

Cute picture book about adding on one more.

[Andrés]

4, maybe 5 stars for the innovative counting and adding text (up to 10, the plus 10=20)that includes a fun narrative. Illustrations (and guinea pigs) were a 2-3 for me.

[Emily Wagner]

When I first found this book, I immediately thought of my 4-year old nephew. I recently asked him what he wants for his birthday and he said, "I want a guinea pig," so I know this is a book that he would enjoy. He also loves books that engages him in educational concepts such as "chicka chicka boom boom," another one of his favorites. I think this book would be great for him because it has large number print, but also engages him in addition problems in a fun way. He can start to see addition signs and equals signs, and provide him with an understanding of how number build onto each other.

[J9]

A great book from our Kindergarten basics box from the library that is not only about counting, but introduces addition as well. My kids, 5 and twins, 2, both enjoyed yelling out the numbers and the answers to the equations. Besides that, there were detailed illustrations of cute guinea pigs doing fun things, so it kept all my kids interested to see what they'd do on the next page. A solid level 1 book that any kid will enjoy.

[Kathryn]

This book is a transitional book which begins with counting, then includes addition by 1 and then by 10. This book should get kids to begin thinking about addition. This book uses a rote counting introduction to addition. Teachers should be careful to find a variety of addition examples that do not have a specific pattern.

[Becky B]

A simple addition book that starts with one guinea pig and works up to 10 guinea pigs and then does one more challenging math problem to get 20 guinea pigs. The funny and delightful guinea pigs are sure to keep kids' interest as they work on the math problems. The mathematical equation is written on the bottom right corner of each page spread with the solution on the following bottom left corner.

[Dayna]

Not only is this book a great way to teach math and spelling the actual words of the numbers. It is insanely true. I own two little guys and I when I go into a pet store and have to fight with myself so I won't buy another one or 3. lol

[Ina]

This concept book is filled with adorable guinea pigs. My storytime audience loved the illustrations. They also recognized the large numbers on each page and performed simple addition along with the story. Sweet, fun book!

[Sarah Best]

I really enjoyed this story because it teaches math addition. This story is about adding guinea pigs and shows large math numbers. Children can follow along to this book and become engaged throughout the story by saying the math answers. This story makes a great math and literature connection.

[John]

A cute alphabet primer, with engaging illustrations.

[Clare]

How true this book is. We have had six little piggies, but not all at once.

[Ellen]

I like the way these books have the numbers and the addition clearly spelled out. There is a lot of detail in the pictures to look at and it's really clever.

[Beverly]

A cute and very graphic way to learn simple addition; darling illustrations.

[Marilyn]

Cute addition story.

[Alice]

3.5 stars A very cute, well illustrated counting book. Where was this book when I was struggling with math in 1st grade! Good one and the Guinea Pigs was a fun twist!!

[Gricel]

Beginning addition book 1-10. 4 years old

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady]

fine.

[Kerstin]

My son and I loved reading Kate Duke's guinea pig books together.

[EchoHouseLibrary]

Loved this one! And the title is true:)

[Leslie Fisher]

Fun book for teaching young children simple math.

[Sarah]

Math: simple addition