Count

by Denise Fleming

Wiggle like a worm, bounce like a kangaroo, leap like a frog! Count from one gnu to 10 lizards to 50 bees. This inventive concept book is as much fun for the youngest child at home as it is for their older siblings in school. Full color.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Denise Fleming has written and illustrated many children’s picture books, including In the Tall, Tall Grass, Shout! Shout It Out!, and Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy. She won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. Denise creates her colorful illustrations by pouring colored paper pulp through hand-cut stencils. She lives in Toledo, Ohio.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/denise...
http://www.simonandschuster.com/autho...

Reviews

[Rfrancik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The color saturated pages and stylized animals pop out of this counting book. While appreciating the energy and excitement on each page I am not sure children will have the same enthusiasm given their lukewarm interest in Lois Ehlert's "Color Zoo" and "Moon Rope" which use similar eye popping colors.

Binding makes a difference and unfortunately my copy has cut off one of the giraffes making it difficult to find five animals. At the end the reader is invited to count by tens. This activity is continued with more lovely artwork but seems out of place in a picture book where children are learning to count from 1 to 10.

Reviews:
1) Booklist (Vol. 88, No. 11 (February 1, 1992))
2) School Library Journal (March 1992)
3) Horn Book (September, 1992)

All reviewers rate this book for ages 2-5 so my attempt to generate interest among the K-2 crowd may have missed the developmental mark.

Booklist and School Library Journal also mention the potential for adding a physical interaction by mimicing the animal's movements during story time. This tip alone would make me look at this book twice and seriously consider ordering it.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fleming's illustration style has improved with her subsequent titles and only by looking at this one was I made aware of her development as an artist. She has placed two types of counting in this book, the basic 1 to 10 and after that she does counting by 10's up to 50. The inclusion of both in the same book I think is confusing to the intended audience.

[Mama Bibliosoph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Count! is a simple counting concept book themed on animals by paper-making, illustration goddess Denise Fleming.

I am a passionate Denise Fleming convert. Her breathtaking art, for which she is deservedly renowned, is often visually noisy, and I avoided her books for a long time because of that. And some of her books will never work for my son Luke; they have too much going on, so he can't focus on anything and quickly gets bored.

But what I've come to realize is that (surprise!) kids are different. My son Harry, who is hyposensitive to visual input, loves busy art—so long as it's not confusing-busy, blurry-busy, or abstract-busy. (...They say it's a spectrum, but do I listen?)

I am pleased to say that I'm including Count! on this list... as a LUKE recommendation! For this book, Fleming used high contrast both in color and texture to make the subject animals really stand out well. Luke delights in pointing out the number and animals on each page. He can easily find and focus on them.

Fleming also includes a motion for each animal set, which provides a great opportunity for gross motor imitation (i.e., for 5 giraffes, the text reads stretch, giraffes!), another element that helps with attention.

Each page includes a large, colorful numeral, the sight words for the number and the animal name set apart from the other text, and unit blocks that a child can also count. The use of the blocks is wonderful because decoding unit representations for number is one of those abstract skills that our kids need as a foundational concept for early math. This is great early exposure.

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I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post of 15 great counting books: http://www.lineupthebooks.com/countin...

[Michelle Turnure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very colorful book with nice big blocks of color and text. I thought my newborn would be attracted to it visually but not yet. It was nice to read through though with her. The illustrations are lively and interesting. The bright colors and moving animals are fun to look at. I like how it goes through the numbers 1-10 and then jumps to counting by tens (10-50). Nice intro to counting.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT preschool classroom book!

Kids loved it

very colorful

BUY THIS

[Kristin Sadler]

Count! is another book about counting along with different animals. Very colorful and interesting. A fun read for young children.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and very colorful!

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for my kindergartener to practice counting by ones and tens.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Groups of animals teach counting up by ones 1-to-10 and counting up by tens 10-to-50.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 2/1

Themes: zoo animals w/ associated actions, counting 1-10, counting 10s 10-50

[Ashley Moser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical counting book. Has bright illustrations. I like that it also counts by tens to fifty.

[Linsey Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This counting book was cool because it starts by counting a to ten, and then counts by tens. This is unique, but I also feel like it could be confusing for many young readers who then might think that is how you count normal. They might think 20 comes after 10.

[James]

Count up to ten and then by tens through 50. Kind of odd to stop at 50.

[Maddy Ullum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Count!
Author: Denise Fleming
Genre: Juvenile Literature
Theme: Counting Book

Summary: This book goes through the numbers in order from 1-10, and then 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. Each number has its own animal and depending on the number that is how many animals are on the page.

Opening Sentence: Hello, gnu! 1. One. gnu.

Review #1:
CLCD
Susie Wilde (Children's Literature)
Board books provide an affordable answer for parents who want their children to enjoy books. These books generally have thick pages that facilitate page turning and have plastic-coatings to protect them from the wear and tear of active baby life. Well-known concepts books are also appearing in this format, and little ones will love the graphically bold Count! 1997 (orig. 1992), Holt, $6.95. Ages 2 to 5.
(PUBLISHER: H. Holt (New York:), PUBLISHED: 1995 c1992.)
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...

Review #2:
Horn Book
Fleming, Denise Count!
32 pp. Holt ISBN 0-8050-1595-7
(3) PS series. Brightly colored animals - one gnu, two zebras, three crocodiles, and so on up to ten and then by tens to fifty - cavort across the pages of this counting book. The short sentences encourage children to move along with the animals: 'Bounce, kangaroos! / Stretch, giraffes!' Made by painting with paper pulp, the illustrations can be seen easily from a distance.
Preschool; Counting books; Animals
http://www.hornbookguide.com.ezaccess...

Response to Professional Reviews: I strongly agree with these reviews. I think that the author did a great job with making this book very eye appealing with the different size fonts, colors, and animals. I like how she painted the book rather than just throw pictures of the animals. I definitely agree that this is an in your face book, and I think that is should be, especially for children. It is very clear and bold, which helps children follow along and helps them engage with the book.

Literary Elements: The book uses a lot of Molly Bang’s principles. The book follows the idea of sharp edges to add more contrast. The book also has very easy words for children to follow and understand.

Instructional Application
Mini Lesson: I can use this book for a counting lesson and I can also tie in the animals to go along with the number. I have broken the class up and have the kids be different numbers and they can also be the animals as well. We can learn the numbers and also learn the animals and the sound that the animals make. This book can be used for many different subjects, not just counting.
Read Aloud: Just like the ABC book, this book can also be read aloud as a group. This book can help students count. They can say the number and then they can also say the animal and count how many animals are on each page.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Book - Counting

Summary: This is a very bright, interactive counting book for children to count the numbers 1 to 10 and by 10’s to 50. As each page is read, children could be encouraged to do motions such as jumping like a zebra or bouncing like kangaroos.

Critique: (a.) The appeal of Count! is really the brightly colored illustrations which display great movement through the use of repeated images on each two page spread. Each number is painted in a large, bright color in the upper left corner. The number is placed on a brightly colored, three layered, square box which complements the colors used in the illustration.
(b.) The text on each page encourages kids to count and move, but the pictures are so brightly dynamic a child would not be able to sit still reading it. Each two page spread also includes several items to count to reach that number whether it is animals or square blocks.
(c.) On the number “5” page, we have the text “Stretch, giraffes!” The illustrations include 5 giraffes all in various poses of movement with necks outstretched to the sky. There are five blocks to the left in an ascending neck-like pattern curving gently to the sky as well. On the number “8” page the text reads, “Share, toucans!” The illustration is 7 toucans all chasing 1 toucan with a piece of fruit in its mouth. Again the vibrant green page filled with birds all chasing one bird is a powerful reflection of movement. On the “30” page, thirty snails are told to “Slow down, snails!” They are crawling, heads outstretched, and appear to be racing one another.

Curriculum Connection: This is a book to read with young children with great enthusiasm. As I read, I would stand up and do motions and wiggle and move. I would take my time on each page and count over and over to practice the number skills.

[Sara Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre: Picture Book/Counting

2. Summary: Learn to count by ones and tens with this colorful story that incorporates animals and action words.

3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this story is its illustrations.

b. The greatest aspect of Count!’s illustrations is that each picture which contains an animal(s), that picture includes the same number of animals as the number being taught on that page. For example, on page three the reader sees a number “2” followed by the words “two zebras.” On the opposite page, page four, the reader then sees a picture of two zebras and the words “Jump, zebras!”

c. Children may not be able to read the words on the page, and may not yet be able to recognize all of their numbers, but if they are able to count, they can use the images in the illustrations to help them to match the number that is being taught on the page. “20 butterflies…Flutter, butterflies” (p. 23-24). The same can be said for the words that match the image. If a child is unable to recognize the word butterfly, they can then use the image of the twenty butterflies fluttering to match the term “butterfly” in their mind.

4. Curriculum Connection: Teachers can use the book in a number of ways. Not only is this book useful for teaching children to count to ten by ones, teachers can also use this book as a tool to introduce children to counting by tens. Although the book only goes from ten to fifty, a teacher could easily extend the lesson beyond the book, teaching the students to continue the pattern as far as the teacher would like. This story also incorporates the use of animals and action verbs, like jump, flutter, swim, and stretch. Children can learn to describe nouns by using numbers and actions.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Counting

2. Cute numbers book that goes from 1 to 10, and then by 10’s all the way up to fifty.

3. A - The illustrations are different, but really cool. The colors, patterns, and shapes are very appealing. The concept is pretty basic, which is good for the younger kids.

B- I thought that this was a cute numbers book because each time a number increases, a baby animal is added to the specific animals on the page. I think it was an appropriate and creative way to approach numbers with children. They will definitely enjoy the illustrations, and become engaged while trying to find the baby animal. Grouping by 10’s is a positive lesson for younger children, they can obtain some background knowledge before they enter kindergarten! Another positive feature are the action words on each page.

C- One example that helps prove my point about the positive and beneficial features of the story is the page on number 4. “Four Kangaroos. Bounce, Kangaroos!” It contains the number 4, and also has it written out. I think this helps young readers too. The picture includes 3 large kangaroos, and a baby in the mama’s pouch. An engaged audience would be curious about the 4th one, and eventually find it.

4. Pre-school teachers can use this book to teach about numbers, as well as grouping by 10’s. I think the action words can also be used. “Swim, jump, bounce, wiggle, and quiet” are all used. Students could act out these actions, and pretend to be the type of animal.

[Ashton Livsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Books, Counting
Summary: This book details numbers 1-10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 using exotic animals and colorful illustrations.
Critique: a) The illustrations in this book are wonderful and make it a great book.
The illustrations depict the numbers in this book. They are detailed and colorful. They fully take up every page which enhances the fun animals. The pictures are well balanced and they leave no blank spaces. All pictures have background colors that are not solid, but look sponge painted. The animals chosen also help to intrigue children. They are not just everyday animals but are fun exotic ones. The animals are chosen for their fun colors too, it seems. They are not fully realistic, but have a cartoon-ish charm to them which I think helps to keep children interested.
My favorite picture is of the six cranes. The background color is yellow and fades from dark shades to light ones. The number six is big and full of color. It also has a border which draws your attention to it. The cranes are full of life, seem to be jumping off the page, and are very multi-colored. They are different sizes but they fit perfectly on the page.
Curriculum Connection: Teachers can use this book for teaching children about numbers and colors. The colors are so bright and vivid they are also a great learning aspect of the book. Teachers can also use the book to show children the fun animals that the author chose for this book.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Critique- Picture Book/Counting Book

This story is a counting picture book. It uses animals to assist with counting from 1 to 10, and by 10s from 10 to 50.

a. Illustrations
b. The illustrations of the animals and numbers are brightly colored, and very simple. They are done in an almost abstract style, with basic forms like circles, squares and triangles making up the images of the animals. The use of bright color and simple images seems appropriate for a counting book since the children who will be reading and learning for the book need simplicity when they are learning content for the first time.
c. An example of this is on pages 3 and 4, where there are 2 zebras representing the number two. The zebras are placed against a bright pink background, providing a contrast that draws the reader’s eye two the images of the zebra and the number 2. They are also done in simple format with the white and black lines.

This story is an excellent way to introduce young readers to numbers, counting, and animals. Its simplicity would make it appropriate for beginning readers, from kindergarten and below, but it would also be an excellent book for special needs children who are struggling with numbers and counting.

[Davina Cuffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Picture Book-Counting

2. This book involves learning not only numbers, but wildlife animals and their actions. It’s filled with color and fun by counting to ten and by tens!

3a. Colorful illustrations; Verbs

3b. The illustrations in this counting book are very attractive, and the color choices are great. The illustrations seem to be painted, but not perfectly, which I think adds character to the pictures. My favorite part of this book was the verbs added to the animal on each page. This teaches the reader what the animal does or how it moves.

3c. From looking at the first page with the gnu, any reader would know they’re in for a treat. The mix of purple, green, orange, and yellow show character, and there aren’t many illustrators who would be this bold to mix all of these colors together on a page! The contrast of the zebras on a red background was clever to. I guess that’s why we wear zebra print with red! It looks good together and it’s very attractive. In relation to the verbs, the author uses verb and noun connections like “Bounce, Kangaroos” and “Wiggle Worms”.

4. The students will use this book as a guide to create their own noun and verb connections. The students will works in groups of 2 to create a list of 10 (each number from 1-10).

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. This book would fall under the category of a picture book, counting.
2. Animals fill the pages of this brightly illustrated book! Readers will count to 10 and then count by 10’s from 10-50.
3. critique
a. The book’s illustrations are the most outstanding feature.
b. The pages are filled with brightly colored animals playing across paint-splattered pages. The words coordinate with the animals being counted and include a little thing that the reader can tell the animals.
c. On the page of 4 kangaroos, there are four kangaroos for the children to count. It’s not obvious that the fourth kangaroo is hidden in its mommy’s pouch! You really have to look, which makes it a challenge! I’m not a fan that it switched from counting by 1s to counting by 10s. I think that this would confuse young children who do not have a great understanding of how numbers work.
4. a curriculum connection
This book would be great for kindergarten or younger children who are learning to count. The illustrations are engaging and there are not a lot of words to distract the learning.

[Shanea Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a picture book intended for preschool through kindergarten. It doesn't have an award, but the other does for another book. The book is based on counting from 1-10 and by 10's. I rated this book 4 stars because I liked the concept that was used to count throughout the book. For the most part the character was the animals that were being used to show the quantity of that specific number. Illustration was okay and very early childhood friendly. It almost looks like art that was maybe drawn by an elementary student. Within the book there were basic shapes that the intended age group could identify as well. The language used in the text were very basic sight like the words, that young reader can understand. All of the color in the story was bright and popped out according to the animals used at the time. I think the book would be very appealing to younger readers based on how the picture stand out and visual bright colors. I would use this book to teach children how to count and discuss the different animals that are listed in the book. Another way I would use the book it to incorporate a math lesson plan based on the number concept and reputation after each section.

[Betsie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

COUNTING
Denise Fleming did a great job with this counting book. Her use of color and context definitely made the book entertaining for the target audience. Each page counts up, and each number has that many animals. For example, Number 4 says "four kangaroos...Bounce, kangaroos!" The page is bright green, with a big number 4, and three bright yellow and pink kangaroos, with one carrying a baby kangaroo in her pouch. This is a great interactive read aloud book for children to read before they begin school. They can count the animals, and act out the motions on each page. Towards the end, Fleming counts in increments of ten up to 50, which opens up the stage for more teaching and learning. They can count 10 lizards, 20 butterflies, 30 snails, and so on. Overall, i thought this was a great book!

[Betsie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a counting book, for numbers 1-10, and then counting by groups of 10. I like it because the colors and illustrations are very unique and engaging, which makes counting exciting. I also like the action word that is added to each page, it adds another dimension to the book. With each successive number, a baby animal is added to the page, which adds another unique dimension to the book.. This would be a great small group/individual interactive book for a read aloud because children would be able to point to the animals they see and look carefully for the new baby animal on each page. Children with special needs could certainly be involved with this story and work on one-to-one correspondence. Children who have higher math skills can be challenged to count by 10's at the end of the book.

[LLash · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Count" by Denise Fleming was a book showing the number with the correct number of objects representing that number. The illustrations were very animated, but I felt that was a good thing. The illustrations also were extremely colorful, almost too colorful. The contradictions between the colors on the page really distracted me, as the reader, and kept me from noticing the number and number of objects matching up. I was sometimes too busy looking at the colors on the page rather than the counting purpose. A good thing about this book, however, is that it not only provided counting from 1-10, but it also provided counting by tens: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50. Even though those are the only numbers used, I felt it was a good introduction and demonstrating for little kids.

[Valerie Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, mainly because it had two great things going at one time. One,it has the beautiful illustration, different bright colors that contrast on each page. Two, it also has the counting of the animals on each page, and each counted number had the beautiful illustrated of colors of the animals with it. When the number got up to ten, it started to count by tens and the animals are also increased by tens. This a great idea, it helps to increase the child's numbers knowledge. And the illustration of animals that corresponds with each numbers made it stand out among other counting books. You can tell that the author Denise Fleming did a lot of thinking when she created this counting book.

[Madison Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Book-Counting Book
Awards: None
Audience: 2-5 years old
A. Count! is a 32 page book with minimal text, and illustrations that are essential to the story. It is considered a counting book because the theme is counting.
B. Denise Fleming uses size in his illustrations. The animals in this book take up the whole page, which immediately catches the attention of the reader. He uses size to show what is important.
C. I would use this book with a group of preschool children that were learning how to count. I would read this book aloud, while encouraging the children to count along with me.
D. How many fish are there? 9 fish.

[Jen Goeden · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book Count counts to ten and then you count by tens. Each number has an animal with that many animals on the page.

The size of the book is taller than it is wide, and also paperback. There is no title page and the publications and dedications are on the last page of the book. The text in this book is big and easy to read. There is color from top to bottom on each page. The colors on the page are very bright. The number on the page is in a different shape and color on each page to make it stand out.

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I said in a review I wrote earlier tonight, what makes a great counting book is often the illustrations. I really liked how colorful these illustrations were. They had a fun and bright appearance. I also liked how some of the animal selections were unique, and that at the end there was counting by tens.

[Renae Williams]

This is a beginning counting book that has big vivid pictures, it is very engaging for young children. The colors used are exciting and the pictures a very large. It also features several animals that are familiar to children so this book makes counting fun,