100 Bugs!: A Counting Book

by Kate Palaces Narita

A 2018 Mathical Honor Book

How many bugs can you count? From walking sticks to spittlebugs, dragonflies to katydids, discovering 10 bugs at a time, you just might see 100 bugs!

Little explorers will learn 10 different ways to count to 10, using 10 different kinds of bugs, and get all the way to 100 by the end of their adventure. With Suzanne Kaufman’s bright, whimsical illustrations and Kate Narita’s clever rhyming text, 100 Bugs! is part look-and-find, part learning experience, and all kinds of fun.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Counting, Nature, Science, Childrens, Stem

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 12, 2018

About the author

Kate Narita is a writer and a fourth-grade teacher. She lives and hikes on a small mountain in central Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and dog. During the summer days, she marvels at the dragonflies darting about and carefully checks cut flowers for katydids, posing as stems, before bringing bouquets into her house. Instead of waiting for shooting stars, she cups lightning bugs in her hands, makes wishes, and lets them go. Learn more at www.katenarita.com

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brown-skinned children exploring nature on their own. Vocabulary words like farrow and yarrow. Rhymes that work. Arithmetic. Includes excellent back matter. Don't miss the endpapers. Highly recommended.

[Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for teaching math concepts, specifically adding numbers to make 10 and counting by tens. Added to that, the rhyming text is enjoyable to read aloud. As a former teacher, I can imagine many fun interactive read aloud and lesson plan possibilities with this book. But wait, there's more! The back matter at the end of the book provides information about the unique bugs that are featured in this book. Additionally, Suzanne Kaufman illustrations are vibrant and fun.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yep. There are one hundred bugs. And you count them. Multiple times . . .

There are also a lot of flowering plants whose names I have never heard before. You don't have to count them. They're just there to help with the rhymes, I guess.

From this book, I learned that bugs and flowers are very boring.

[Clara Jane Isch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping to re-read this when I start learning to count to 1000 next month. Will keep you posted.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is 100 Bugs!: A Counting Book, written by Kate Narita and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman, a colorful and engaging interactive book for young entomologists.

A brother and sister wake up, excited to start their day – they’re going bug-counting, and you’re invited to join! Each two-page spread features ten individuals of a different creepy crawly species, the rhyming text inviting the reader to find the insects among the sunny scenery and flowers. The center spread allows for more counting fun, allowing readers to seek-and-find up to fifty of the animals. At last, the siblings retire for the day, proud of their work – all together, you and they have counted 100 bugs.

What a delightful book of beasties! Combining arithmetic with bug spotting, the theme encourages curious little minds to look for and identify insects while also honing their math skills. And while the repeating rhyme scheme felt a little awkward at first, by the end I started to find the rhythm. The art is the star here, creating bright, colorful rural scenes and chipper characters that embody summer and childhood curiosity, and the many bugs are lifelike yet nonthreatening. The length is fine for any little Bookworm, and JJ really enjoyed both the insects and the arithmetic. A lovely book for budding scientists and/or mathematicians, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful adventure and clever learning tool for kids. All in one! The story begins with two children waking to an exciting day filled with bug-exploring and counting those bugs along the way. From dragonflies to fireflies, readers will be mesmerized with enchanting, life-like illustrations of wildflowers and farm animals. As a bonus, there's even a counting exercise at the end. This book was so much more than I had expected. Looking forward to the author's and illustrator's future works.

Thanks so much to Kate Narita and Suzanne Kaufman for creating this book for young readers,
Al Monte

[Melissa McAlvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great counting book. Especially for Norah (age 4) to start working on adding numbers together. Both girls loved counting the bugs.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Counting and addition
Nature: Plants

Two budding entomologists go explore their backyard in search of a variety of common bugs (butterflies, ladybugs, bumblebees) and some unique ones, too (spittlebugs and katydids). Every spread provides a different way to count to ten and is written to introduce addition by separating one group of bugs into two. Alongside this beginning math concept, listeners are exposed to a variety of unique plant names like bugbane, coralbells, and woodland sage. At the very end, the brother and sister look at their data collection from the day and count up to 100 via this math sequence: "10 from before plus 10 more. 20 bugs hanging out. 20 from before, plus 10 more. 30 bugs hanging out," etc.

The rhyming text adds comfort to listeners as they are building upon and learning new math concepts. Due to the intricate detail of the illustrations, this would make a challenging classroom read-aloud but a perfect lapsit read between adult and child.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text and color-drenched illustrations feature many different types of insects for youngsters to count. There are walkingsticks, dragonflies, leafhoppers, and ladybugs, among others, all adding up to 10 in a set, and then 50 and eventually 100 bugs. I liked the cumulative nature of the bug counting since readers need to keep adding the 10 new ones to the count they had before. The young boy and girl who are doing the counting look thrilled, especially in the last image in which they are perusing the very book in which they appear. Back matter includes thumbnail sketches and brief information about the 10 different types of bugs featured in the book. There's even a note distinguishing between the scientific use of the word "bug," and the way it is commonly used.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many counting books tend to be too simplistic for me, but in this one, Narita has added more than the usual math to the mix with addition and counting by tens. Along with the math layer, there’s a nature layer that features interesting insects and a multitude of plants in the text, with more information in the back matter. Vibrant illustrations invite the reader in to do their own seek and find activity on each page. This is an excellent counting book that takes a basic concept a step further and provides multiple layers of interest.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a counting book, this delightfully illustrated math concept book develops the foundational skill of recognizing number pairs that add up to 10. Rolicky rhymes and chant-like rhythms make for a fun read aloud. A boy and a girl are featured equally. End matter provides information about both the plants and the insects featured in the book. Recommended!

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two budding entomologists go explore their backyard in search of a variety of common bugs (butterflies, ladybugs, bumblebees) and some unique ones, too (spittlebugs and katydids). Every spread provides a different way to count to ten and is written to introduce addition by separating one group of bugs into two. Alongside this beginning math concept, listeners are exposed to a variety of unique plant names like bugbane, coralbells, and woodland sage. At the very end, the brother and sister look at their data collection from the day and count up to 100 via this math sequence: "10 from before plus 10 more. 20 bugs hanging out. 20 from before, plus 10 more. 30 bugs hanging out," etc.

The rhyming text adds comfort to listeners as they are building upon and learning new math concepts. Due to the intricate detail of the illustrations, this would make a challenging classroom read-aloud but a perfect lapsit read between adult and child.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do wish we could give half stars here at Goodreads. If so, this would get 2 ½ from me. The good: the book teaches the combinations of numbers that add up to ten, as well as counting by tens to one hundred. It also introduces ten varieties of actual insects, drawn in fairly realistic and identifiable ways. If you have a budding entomologist who's ready to tackle math basics they might enjoy this. Sadly, though, I don't think it will hold much appeal for many kids. There's no story to follow, and the rhyme scheme employed seems incomplete. I kept trying to read it in a song- song manner, but it doesn't lend itself to that. Narita might have done better to stick with straight prose.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Narita has written a fun adventure for nature detectives that doubles as a tool to reinforce math concepts! Engaging child characters look for a variety of bugs in vibrant, colorful spreads by illustrator Suzanne Kaufman, inviting readers to search and count along. The book is written in snappy, read-aloud stanzas, with rhyming couplets that introduce words young naturalists will want to know. This book has so much information hidden within its playful pages, readers will learn about insects, farms, gardens, and number combinations while having a fabulous time. Back matter provides even more fascinating facts about the insects and plants introduced in the story.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows counting to 100 as counting 10 groups of 10.
The first group of 10 is 1 + 9.
The second is 2 + 8.
The third id 3 + 7.
The fourth is 4 + 6.
The fifth is 5 + 5.
At this point we stop and realize we have 50 bugs because we have 5 10s.
Then sixth is 6 + 4
The seventh is 7 + 3.
The eighth is 8 + 2.
The ninth is 9 + 1
The tenth is 10 + 0.
We have ten 10s and that's 100.

So, it shows every combination of 2 positive addends to make ten EXCEPT 0 + 10.

For each number pair, we also learn a type of bug and a type of flower. Lots of extra information in the back matter on these. Not sure where the flowers are native; it's not around here (in Oklahoma).

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siblings set out to scout bugs, and we see what they find. Some advanced counting here - each page has 10 bugs, and the text and illustrations set them apart into groups - 1 & 9, 2 & 8, 3 & 7, and so forth. A page spread mirrors their notebook to collect all the numbers to show that indeed, they (and we) have counted to 100, and the next illustration actually shows all 100 on the page. The rhymes are short and repetitive, and each count features both a specific bug and a plant, which are all accompanied by their full common and scientific name and a short description at the end. In all, a fun title with lots of facts and figures for nature lovers.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like it says in the subtitle, this is a counting book. With expectations set appropriately, I think it is a really nice one. The illustrations are all two-page spreads with bright, bold colors. I particularly liked the halfway picture with "50 bugs hanging out!" The bugs are fun to find and count and the flowers were an unexpected bonus. Nice conclusion with the bugs lined up on a white background for easy counting and the introduction of concepts of addition, counting by tens, and zero. I was going to give this 3 stars because it is just a counting book, but we need counting books and in its own category I think it deserves four stars.

[Jessie Oliveros · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with two "explorers" waking up in their bed, a whole day of bug-finding before them. The counting begins, told in rhyme and accompanied by brilliant and detailed illustrations...the kind a kid could look at for hours. My children have brought home worksheets on numbers that make ten. This book explains this concept infinitely better. I'm looking forward to telling my kids' teachers all about it when school starts up again. The math concepts are clear and accessible but also a lot of fun!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute counting book that can be used for the 100th day of school. The illustrations are very busy and filled with flora and fauna, each named in the rhyming text. A lot of new vocabulary if you have second language learners or students who are not familiar with insects and flowers. One thing I did like was the use of different number sentences to name the groups of 10. 10 +0=10 9+1=10 8+2=10 and so on down to 0 +10=10.
Could also be used for an insect unit. I would probably purchase if I needed to update my math books.

[JESSICA L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book to read with kindergartners. I feel like this would be great for 1st grade as well. I also introduced it to a preschool classroom during our insect unit. It is full of colorful pictures and rhyming words. One thing I loved about this book was the way they used addition in the book. They start out by saying there are 2 dragon flies by the weathervane and 8 by the bugbane. How many bugs are there? Later in the book they count by 10's. There are so many ways you could use this book to teach a math literacy lesson. I will definitely be buying this book for my library.

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Narita’s 100 Bugs! A Counting Book is perfect for young kids who love insects and who are learning to count. As a teacher, I appreciate how the book shows all the ways to make 10 and then adds all those 10s to 100. Back matter gives fun facts about each bug and plant mentioned, plus the illustrations show the different ways to make 10s using bugs as the manipulatives. Perfect for math standards!

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

First concepts: Maths (counting; addition / subtraction)
Games: Find the....

A lovely book that the library system for our city purchased at my request. The pictures are charming and there are ten different ways to count to 10 (looking both at the text and the visual seperations of the bugs). Easy to reinforce kineasthetically and with generalisation by having 10 ten cent coins to separate into groupings afterwards.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for kids learning to count to 100, and who love bugs. Fun illustrations bring the kids into the countryside setting. Each page has 10 different bugs for kids to count out. It's not just butterflies and dragonflies either, there are some interesting bugs like the Candy-Striped Leafhopper. This would be a great book for kids during summer. They could go out and try to find their own 100 bugs!

[April Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book has so many points of entry! Counting, the different combinations of numbers that add up to 10 (9+1, 8+2, etc.), counting by tens to 100, plus flora, fauna, and diverse kids spending the day outdoors - what a lot of bang for your buck! In addition to all this, Kate Narita's lively rhymes and Suzanne Kaufman's gorgeous illustrations are a winning combination that will have you coming back to this book again and again. Highly recommended!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nifty and well-executed! I think this is what Danica McKellar is trying to do with her books, but much less dry, repetitive, and juvenile. (Sorry, Danica! I still think you're a great person!!)
Anyhow, this book goes over the many different ways of counting/adding up to 10, as well as pointing out 50 and 100. It ALSO teaches you about different bugs and different plants. So it's an *incredibly* educational story about two kids out for a bug hunt!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten different ways to count to ten, while hunting for ten different bugs among ten different flowers. What a great way to incorporate math and science learning together. The illustrations are colorful and accurate lending to seek and find, especially on a page filled with 50 bugs. The pages at the end have significant details about all of the bugs and flowers (including genus and species) but would have benefited from actual photos with the drawings.

[Jessica Mercado · Rating 5 out of 5]

We received a copy of this book from the author in a drawing. What a prize! My two daughters really like this book and pull it off the shelf periodically to flip through the pages again and again. My 5 year old especially likes the help with counting at the end of the book as she's preparing to go into kindergarten and wants to know how to count (and write) up to 100 already. A quiet book with strong appeal and a unique take on a counting book that was refreshing to read with my girls.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many bugs can you count? From walking sticks to spittlebugs, dragonflies to katydids, discovering 10 bugs at a time, you just might see 100 bugs!

Little explorers will learn 10 different ways to count to 10, using 10 different kinds of bugs, and get all the way to 100 by the end of their adventure. With Suzanne Kaufman's bright, whimsical illustrations and Kate Narita's clever rhyming text, 100 Bugs! is part look-and-find, part learning experience, and all kinds of fun.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 kinds of different bugs and 10 kinds of different plants, which might be a lot, but could also make it appealing to a wider range of kids.

Splits up 10 as 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5, 6+4, 7+3, 8+2, 9+1, 10+0, and talks about five 10s being 50 and ten 10s being 100. Always pretty easy to count the bugs (you have to hunt a little on some of the pages, but not much -- it's the right level of challenge without obscuring the count).

[Morgan Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all counting books are created the same but this one really stands out as a winner in this category. This book is interactive allowing for children to count on their own with all the fun of a Where's Waldo. The illustration are really the star of the show for this book. The illustrations are colorful and show so many different kinds of bugs and perfectly blend them into the beautiful background. Overall I think is a mix of game and counting and I would 100% use this in my classroom.