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Counting Creatures
A gorgeous lift-the-flap counting book that pairs parent animals with their babies, from the bestselling author of Room on the Broom .
From a bat and its pup, to a frog and its twelve tadpoles, young readers will delight in counting each creature's babies and learning unusual scientific names for young animals. With rhyming text, lift-the-flaps and peekaboo holes, and a surprise search-and-find element, this is a read-aloud delight and preschool must-have.
* "Engaging, rewarding, and utterly delightful."— Kirkus , starred review
Indie Next List pick
CCBC Choices selection
From a bat and its pup, to a frog and its twelve tadpoles, young readers will delight in counting each creature's babies and learning unusual scientific names for young animals. With rhyming text, lift-the-flaps and peekaboo holes, and a surprise search-and-find element, this is a read-aloud delight and preschool must-have.
* "Engaging, rewarding, and utterly delightful."— Kirkus , starred review
Indie Next List pick
CCBC Choices selection
58 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,233 books1,886 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
September 22, 2022
Een echt magisch mooi boek waarin in kinderen op een toffe manier tot 10 leren tellen + nog een paar tientallen!
Ik heb dit boek vorige maand (Mei) uit de bieb gehaald en eindelijk had ik dan de tijd/de zin om het te lezen en WAUW, ik wilde dat ik het eerder had gelezen want dit was een feestje.
We beginnen bij een dier dat een jonkie krijgt (een schattige vleermuis) en zo gaan we steeds 1 jonkie omhoog tot we bij 10 zijn! We zien waar de jonkies slapen/spelen. Of ze al veel kunnen of nog dicht bij mama zijn. Het was onwijs schattig en ik vond het heerlijk hoe je steeds de flapjes (die op een leuke manier waren gemaakt met vormpjes, de moeder gebruikte, en nog meer) kon openmaken om de jonkies te zien. Ik was blij verrast dat we daarna tientallen kregen en dus nog meer dieren. Leuke toevoeging zo leren kinderen nog een paar meer aantallen op een leuke manier. Ik vond de keuze van dieren ook top. Niet alleen wat standaard diertjes (schapen/muizen) maar ook poolhazen, hyenas, hangbuikzwijnen.
En dan komt er nog een extra element, want aan het einde mag je een moeder gaan helpen. Ik had totaal niet door dat je die moest zoeken, ik dacht dat ze bij de platen hoorden. Ik had veel plezier in het kijken of ik ze kon vinden, ik heb niet geteld, gewoon gezocht.
Ik vond het wel vreemd dat ze soms de specifieke naam gaven aan de dierenbabies, maar soms ook gewoon voor de basis ging. Zo noemde ze baby-eendjes gewoon eendjes terwijl ze vaak pulletjes worden genoemd. Vleermuisen hebben geen jonkies maar puppies. Dat had net wat beter gekund, zo leren kinderen ook meteen het juiste woord.
De illustraties waren echt prachtig. Ik genoot echt enorm van de stijl en de kleuren die gebruikt waren. Ik wil wel een print of tig van dit boek om aan mijn muur te hangen.
Al met al, een leuk en leerzaam boek met flapjesverrassingen en schattige dieren. Aanrader!
Recensie ook gepost op https://boekeneiland.nl/
Ik heb dit boek vorige maand (Mei) uit de bieb gehaald en eindelijk had ik dan de tijd/de zin om het te lezen en WAUW, ik wilde dat ik het eerder had gelezen want dit was een feestje.
We beginnen bij een dier dat een jonkie krijgt (een schattige vleermuis) en zo gaan we steeds 1 jonkie omhoog tot we bij 10 zijn! We zien waar de jonkies slapen/spelen. Of ze al veel kunnen of nog dicht bij mama zijn. Het was onwijs schattig en ik vond het heerlijk hoe je steeds de flapjes (die op een leuke manier waren gemaakt met vormpjes, de moeder gebruikte, en nog meer) kon openmaken om de jonkies te zien. Ik was blij verrast dat we daarna tientallen kregen en dus nog meer dieren. Leuke toevoeging zo leren kinderen nog een paar meer aantallen op een leuke manier. Ik vond de keuze van dieren ook top. Niet alleen wat standaard diertjes (schapen/muizen) maar ook poolhazen, hyenas, hangbuikzwijnen.
En dan komt er nog een extra element, want aan het einde mag je een moeder gaan helpen. Ik had totaal niet door dat je die moest zoeken, ik dacht dat ze bij de platen hoorden. Ik had veel plezier in het kijken of ik ze kon vinden, ik heb niet geteld, gewoon gezocht.
Ik vond het wel vreemd dat ze soms de specifieke naam gaven aan de dierenbabies, maar soms ook gewoon voor de basis ging. Zo noemde ze baby-eendjes gewoon eendjes terwijl ze vaak pulletjes worden genoemd. Vleermuisen hebben geen jonkies maar puppies. Dat had net wat beter gekund, zo leren kinderen ook meteen het juiste woord.
De illustraties waren echt prachtig. Ik genoot echt enorm van de stijl en de kleuren die gebruikt waren. Ik wil wel een print of tig van dit boek om aan mijn muur te hangen.
Al met al, een leuk en leerzaam boek met flapjesverrassingen en schattige dieren. Aanrader!
Recensie ook gepost op https://boekeneiland.nl/
November 29, 2020
Wow, this is more than a counting book! The text is rhythmical and rhyming and the illustrations are amazing. Children can learn the names of baby animals also (pups, owlets, etc.). The jewel colors and animals throughout draw the reader to the book but the interactive nature with flaps that lift, will keep kids involved and wanting to hear the text again and again. I find the flaps to be very sturdy to withstand the hands of young children. This book is a winner!
December 2, 2020
This is the most beautiful picture book I've ever seen. The art and design are so special it should win an award for engineering or architecture! If you have littles on your Christmas shopping list, get them this book. It's a must have!
A lift-the-flap book, each spread reveals a treasure!
The colors jump off the page and transcend the picture book experience. This little gem is sure to win awards in every state and maybe even the national best children's book of the year!
Highly, highly recommended. BUY THIS BOOK!
I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.
A lift-the-flap book, each spread reveals a treasure!
The colors jump off the page and transcend the picture book experience. This little gem is sure to win awards in every state and maybe even the national best children's book of the year!
Highly, highly recommended. BUY THIS BOOK!
I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.
May 26, 2021
Just magnificent. A stunning combination of numeracy, nature and find and seek make this a must have experience.
Discover more via my video review at DIM'SreVIEWS: https://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/2...
Discover more via my video review at DIM'SreVIEWS: https://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/2...
November 24, 2020
This book is absolutely beautiful. I bought it for Sharon King-Chai’s illustrations. It’s just gorgeous.
October 25, 2021
Wie heeft er één jonkie meer? Tekst: Julia Donaldson. Illustraties: Sharon King-Chai. Vertaling: Edward van de Vendel.
Oh wat een prachtige boeken worden er toch gemaakt. Vooral de boeken voor kinderen zijn soms kleine kunstwerkjes. Zoals dit boek. De cover is kleurrijk, met blinkende zilveraccenten en doorkijkjes naar het schutblad. Dat alles geeft al een goede indicatie van wat je nog meer mag verwachten: veel kleur, vrolijkheid, doorkijkjes, optilflapjes en dieren, heel veel dieren.
Het idee voor dit boek is geweldig: leren tellen door middel van dieren en hun jonkies, veel leuker wordt het niet. De tekeningen zijn zeer kleurrijke, paginavullende schilderijtjes. De tekst is vlot en leest leuk, zeker door de geweldige vertaling door van de Vendel.
Een boek om op slag verliefd op te worden! Op het einde leer je wie de meeste jonkies heeft en krijg je een opdracht waardoor je weer van voor af aan wilt beginnen… Magisch mooi.
Oh wat een prachtige boeken worden er toch gemaakt. Vooral de boeken voor kinderen zijn soms kleine kunstwerkjes. Zoals dit boek. De cover is kleurrijk, met blinkende zilveraccenten en doorkijkjes naar het schutblad. Dat alles geeft al een goede indicatie van wat je nog meer mag verwachten: veel kleur, vrolijkheid, doorkijkjes, optilflapjes en dieren, heel veel dieren.
Het idee voor dit boek is geweldig: leren tellen door middel van dieren en hun jonkies, veel leuker wordt het niet. De tekeningen zijn zeer kleurrijke, paginavullende schilderijtjes. De tekst is vlot en leest leuk, zeker door de geweldige vertaling door van de Vendel.
Een boek om op slag verliefd op te worden! Op het einde leer je wie de meeste jonkies heeft en krijg je een opdracht waardoor je weer van voor af aan wilt beginnen… Magisch mooi.
October 7, 2021
This is actually my second time to check out this book because I enjoyed it so much last spring. Delicate pages can be turned, flipped, and opened in various ways to reveal hidden animals or insects and their offspring. The artwork is quite stunning and yet it’s also a fun hunting, counting, and puzzling read that can be enjoyed time and time, again. I cannot possibly capture the beauty of the artwork (especially as it varies so much from page to page), but it is so lovely!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
April 22, 2021
Beautiful book with intricate, die-cut pages that open in a variety of directions -- up, down, left, right -- and will be ripped out in about three seconds.
August 12, 2021
Beautiful illustrations, and perfect for my 3-year-old.
December 31, 2021
Beautiful illustrations!
May 10, 2023
Beautiful pictures and cutouts!
August 3, 2021
CADL FB Live story time 08-02-2021
October 28, 2020
Beautiful illustrations of creatures with wonderful eyes will appeal to the young child, while the text will teach about baby animal and bird names
November 13, 2021
Simply stunning. These illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is adorable. My children love this book.
October 14, 2021
The book is beautiful, the illustrations are amazing! My 2.5 years old son loves it.
Does anyone know how many baby spiders are in the book? Cover says 30, but we found 32 😅
Does anyone know how many baby spiders are in the book? Cover says 30, but we found 32 😅
July 29, 2025
"Counting Creatures" is an artfully crafted book that offers readers a unique blend of counting, rhyming, nature facts, and even a search-and-find element that connects animal parents and their babies.
This book is such a gem–it is a beautifully illustrated picture book. I was immediately drawn to the cover because of the gorgeous combination of colors. The entire book helps children learn numbers, how to count, and the names of baby animals. The pages are made of high-quality paper and feature creative cutouts and flaps to lift and locate delightful baby animals hidden behind them. "Counting Creatures" is such a creative and fun concept! What a remarkable book!
- Review by Lake Ridge Library Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
This book is such a gem–it is a beautifully illustrated picture book. I was immediately drawn to the cover because of the gorgeous combination of colors. The entire book helps children learn numbers, how to count, and the names of baby animals. The pages are made of high-quality paper and feature creative cutouts and flaps to lift and locate delightful baby animals hidden behind them. "Counting Creatures" is such a creative and fun concept! What a remarkable book!
- Review by Lake Ridge Library Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
January 27, 2021
Raise the bat's wing and see that she has 1 baby that holds tight and flies with her, "Who has more babies than that?" the text asks? Each consecutive page shows an animal with more babies than the last, telling something about the babies, what they are called and what they do - lambs bleat, leopard cubs pounce, baby mice nibble and gnaw. All the way to a surprise at the end, with more babies than just on the last page.
The babies are carefully hidden behind "lift the flaps" that also represent the environment. (The mice are under leaves, the rabbits are in the snow). The format is predicable, perfect to keep the child engaged. The illustrations are realistic, making counting the babies so fun. I know this will be a bedtime favorite.
Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
The babies are carefully hidden behind "lift the flaps" that also represent the environment. (The mice are under leaves, the rabbits are in the snow). The format is predicable, perfect to keep the child engaged. The illustrations are realistic, making counting the babies so fun. I know this will be a bedtime favorite.
Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
February 14, 2021
This book is beautiful! I want to get this book just for the illustrations alone. The flaps have shape and designs that are cut out making them so appealing. Children will learn the appropriate name for the babies of different animals and the adults may learn some too. I did not know a baby hare was called a leveret or the name of a baby fox...I'll let you discover that when you read it. There is a search and find surprise at the end. I had to go back and see if I could find what was mentioned.
I work in a library so when a coworker showed this book to me, my first thought was, "those delicate flaps are going to get torn". :0 It is a children's book so the delicate nature (the pages are not extra thin but not too thick either) is something to be aware of but it is a good opportunity to teach children to use books with care.
I work in a library so when a coworker showed this book to me, my first thought was, "those delicate flaps are going to get torn". :0 It is a children's book so the delicate nature (the pages are not extra thin but not too thick either) is something to be aware of but it is a good opportunity to teach children to use books with care.
December 25, 2020
What a magnificent book for adults to read with children! Wonderful artwork and design, with page flaps opening out in different directions to reveal magical scenes. Deceptively simple but containing interesting information about a wide range of animals; with poetic, heavily alliterative language - adult language that kids will grab onto because they'll be so motivated to look at and hear the words over and over again, until they're able to recite it for themselves. One of the best children's books I've ever come across. We'll be buying copies for friends who have young children or who are expecting children soon.
December 13, 2020
A brilliant picture book! Counting book, animal book with habitats and the names of young, amazing art vibrant, almost 3D art work with cut outs and artfully created shapes to extend the images, engaging rhyme with descriptive language and wonderful verbs to describe the movement of different baby animals and also a look and find element to encourage young readers to go back and hunt for .... (no spoilers!).
Julia Donaldson continues to amaze and the art work of Sharon King-Choi is masterful.
Julia Donaldson continues to amaze and the art work of Sharon King-Choi is masterful.
December 30, 2020
A well-written and gorgeously illustrated concept book for children of all ages! Full of vibrant colors and lovely details, this title is beautiful from beginning to end. I love the flaps and cut-outs throughout the book! The storyline focuses on baby animals and how many babies each adult animal has, starting with a bat who has one baby all the way to a spider who has LOTS of spiderlings. The technical term for each baby animal is provided, and the short animal facts woven into the story make this more than just a typical counting book while still teaching numbers and counting. Highly recommended!
July 9, 2021
This is perhaps one of the most beautiful picture books I've ever seen. I put it on my want to own list, and just might buy a copy for me because it makes me happy. The concept is not new, a parent animal has baby animals hidden under flaps. 2 lambs, 5 owl babies, 10 piglets etc. Except the flaps are definitely not for little hands, they are paper and die cut and I have to return it to the library before it gets too well loved in my household. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Full of color and delight yes. For wee hands...nope....
April 19, 2025
This is such a gem! This is a beautifully illustrated picture book. I was immediately drawn to the cover because of the gorgeous combination of colors. The entire book helps children learn numbers, how to count and the names of baby animals. The pages are made of high quality paper and feature creative cut outs and flaps to lift and locate delightful baby animals hidden behind them. I really enjoyed the last page, and the number of those babies, as well as a challenge to find them all. Such a creative and fun concept! What a remarkable book!
January 23, 2021
This book is absolutely gorgeous! The illustrations are captivating, colourful and whimsical. It’s an animal counting book that is beautifully written in a rhythmic and poetic manner. There are also interactive flaps that are thoughtfully laid out.
There are so many learning opportunities with this book: the names of animals and their babies, simple animal facts, habitats, and counting.
I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a counting book.
There are so many learning opportunities with this book: the names of animals and their babies, simple animal facts, habitats, and counting.
I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a counting book.
February 2, 2021
So beautiful! The artwork is gorgeous and the flaps in this picture book are astonishing - so intricate and delicate, yet most of them feel pretty sturdy. I wouldn't be too afraid to bust this out during a story time or playgroup.
Beyond the artwork, the text rhymes, the counting works and doesn't feel forced, and there's new vocab words for kiddos (and adults) to learn!
Overall, really great!
Beyond the artwork, the text rhymes, the counting works and doesn't feel forced, and there's new vocab words for kiddos (and adults) to learn!
Overall, really great!
July 22, 2021
BEAUTIFUL ills, lovely lift-the-flap counting book with the names of all different types of baby animals. The spiderlings are drawn throughout the book and kids can go back and count them. Could be used in ST, but attention span with unfamiliar baby animal words plus numbers past ten makes this an older-kid storytime. It might be too challenging for kids whose parents don’t speak English fluently. Great for at-home, poring over the pages.
December 12, 2023
This is a beautifully illustrated counting book that entertains on several levels. In addition to being a joy to look at, there are lift-the-flaps, a fun rhyme, repetitive verse, and then a puzzle question when you get to the end. It’s a great supplement to any elementary science lesson where you’re learning animal baby names and just how many babies different creatures have at one time. This is sure to be a read-aloud favorite.
June 15, 2024
Beautiful book. This is a lift the flaps book and there are some pretty incredible paper cut-outs going on in this book with beautiful artwork. Some pages are simply and some pages like the mice have complex lifts like the leaves.
There is no story. This is a repeating rhyme. This is a counting book. So each page is a new number of babies of some animal.
Look for the spiders throughout the book. They are some on each page.
There is no story. This is a repeating rhyme. This is a counting book. So each page is a new number of babies of some animal.
Look for the spiders throughout the book. They are some on each page.
December 9, 2020
I very much enjoy Julia Donaldson’s books. The text in this book is informational. Readers can have their counting skills reinforced.
But the show stealer is the illustrations. A clever page set up, almost a lift the flap type, the colors are bold and the pictures enjoyable to look at. Well done Sharon King-Chai.
But the show stealer is the illustrations. A clever page set up, almost a lift the flap type, the colors are bold and the pictures enjoyable to look at. Well done Sharon King-Chai.
July 14, 2021
Definitely a beautiful book with great illustrations. I'm partially basing my rating on the fact that the mouse page had three flaps which felt confusing and like too many. I worry it's so fragile that it wouldn't hold up well in a public library collection. That said, I think it's a great choice for one on one reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews