Count Me In!: A Parade of Mexican Folk Art Numbers in English and Spanish

First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art

by Cynthia Weill

“[An] irresistible bilingual picture book for those still learning their numbers…It’s darling.” — San Antonio Express-News

“[T]his peek into Mexico’s art and traditions is certainly one of the most joyous counting books that children will encounter.”— Kirkus

“[A] fine bilingual counting book … beautiful, creative, and sometimes whimsical.” — School Library Journal

“Weill returns with another joyous celebration of Mexican folk art.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

The Aguilar Sisters, lively and independent women, are Mexico’s most renowned artisans. They learned how to make clay figurines from their mother, Isaura Álcantara Diaz. Their humorous sculptures of village characters are in collections around the world.

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Childrens, Art

32 pages, Board Book

First published October 16, 2012

Reviews

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board book of numbers but in a unique way. Got it from library to read in Spanish although it is a dual language book- English.

The people are made of ceramics so they look very clay looking. Every page is of a new person joining the parade until eventually they have gotten together. The performers and the viewers join in a day of fun.

Ocho-- ¡Más música bella! ¡Bailemos
(So it'll show 8 musicians)

[Debra Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This board book was different then most counting books. One reason that it was different was that this was a dual language book of English and Spanish. I liked that the photographs were cultural ceramics that represented the Oaxaca region. The ceramics are bright and colorful. I think this book would be a good for early dual language learners of either language. My complaint is that this book only counts up to nine. This is unusual for a counting book, since most books stop at ten.

counting, bilingual, cultural Age range 2-5

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the one with the animals better, but these books are well-designed and great for teaching young kids Spanish!

[Michelle Gath she-her · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright pictures about a parade. The words are in English and Spanish. It counts different things that one would find in a parade - balloon, lanterns, music, fireworks, dances and people in costumes. The pictures portray the colorful experience that is taking place in the book. This would be a great book for toddler aged children to learn the number 1-10 and a little bit of Spanish as well.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bilingual English/Spanish counting book that features photos of clay figures of the people of Oaxaca made by the famous Aguilar sisters.

Beautiful both in terms of language and artwork. A great multicultural read aloud for PreK-2.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy these books by Cynthia Weill, but I really wish the format were larger--I think that 12"x12" would be ideal. They are difficult to use in a program or a storytime because the images are small AND fairly detailed.

[Kori Schlesener · Rating 3 out of 5]

Count Me In is a good book to use to incorporate diversity in the classroom. I love that it has the English and Spanish version of the text in the book. It also views culture of a different country which is great to see for myself, but also for students.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text is pretty basic, describing a Mexican festival parade. The artwork, photos of sculptures by a family of sisters, is awesome.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the art aspect of this book. It showed human figures of real people from Oaxaca, Mexico, in a parade for a local festival.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Counting, Spanish / English language learning, and cultural folk art, all in one.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, but I wish it was larger in size. I have used it in storytime for smaller groups.

Subjects


Counting -- Juvenile literature


Numerals -- Juvenile literature.


Parades -- Juvenile literature.


Números -- Literatura juvenil.


Contar (Enumerar) -- Literatura juvenil.


Bilingual books, Spanish.


Spanish language materials.

[Katie Scherrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent first concept book from the makers of ABeCeDarios featuring Mexican folk art illustrations. I hope we continue to see more! Perhaps "mascotas" or "mi cuerpo" next????

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

By pairing the sculptures of the Aguilar sisters with simple verses counting the members of a parade, Weill has put together an exciting and unique picture book, great for toddler readers.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.