Tally Cat Keeps Track

Math Is Fun!

by Trudy Harris, Andrew N. Harris (Illustrator)

Tally McNally is an alley cat who loves to tally! He keeps track of all sorts of contests―who wins the most races, who is the tallest, who can climb the most trees, and more. When the results are counted up, Tally is always the winner.

One rainy day, Tally competes to become the “wettest cat.” But he goes too far and gets into a jam. Will his friends―who lose to him tally after tally―find a way to save him?

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Cats

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Trudy Harris, RN, is the New York Times bestselling author of Glimpses of Heaven and More Glimpses of Heaven, a former hospice nurse, and former president of the Hospice Foundation for Caring. Since retirement, Harris remains active in connecting the need

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting story that helps to teach about tally marks. The story is dramatic and the illustrations are colorful and nicely detailed. I liked that the tale has an underlying message about friendship and fairness that goes beyond a simple math lesson.

Overall, we thought this was an entertaining and educational book. We enjoyed reading it together. Our oldest borrowed this book from her elementary school library.

[Gail Barge]

This would be a great book to use in a math mini-lesson about tally marks and how they are similar and different from counting with your fingers. There are pages at the back of the book that talk about tally marks and how to make them and what they stand for. Also a sweet story of team-work and that every person in a group contributes something important to get the job done!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a SOLID picture book! It has a well-executed Seussian rhyme scheme, and the art is bright without being irritating. Being able to record tally marks is a 2nd grade math standard, and you can bet I'll be using this in class.

[Tristine Fjerstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books to read my kids. The pictures are beautiful, attention to detail is astounding, and the voice can be really fun to get into character with my kids. It’s also fun to look for the CTR symbols and mouse throughout the book.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations with Muppet-like cat characters. Tally the cat is obsessed with being the best, but when an accident means his pals have to come to his rescue, he learns a little humility. Concludes with a math lesson about using tally marks.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Math. Friendship. Adorable kitties. What could be better?

[Jurene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book to introduce tally counting. But the interest doesn't stop there. It's a good book about humility and friendship too.

[Kalen Forsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for so many reasons. This book teaches teamwork, solving problems, and even learning numbers. The illustrations match the style and warmheartedness of this book. If you are a teacher or a parent you will love sharing this book with your children. Trudy Harris has a way with capturing many layers in her book. You'll be able to share this book with your children dozens of times and always have something new to share with them about it. Harris also includes a little activity/lesson in the back of the book. With so much teaching and experience with children Trudy Harris understands how to help kids understand many different concepts. This book is definitely a worth while book you and your kids will enjoy.

[Reana Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tally Cat Keeps Track by Trudy Harris. Harris, Trudy, and Andrew Harris. Tally Cat Keeps Track. Minneapolis: Millbrook, 2011. Print. Picture book. Tally cat keeps track is a book about a cat who keeps track of his accomplishments and things hes the greatest cat around. Then he gets in trouble and has to rely on his friends for help. This book is charming and has a powerful message for children. To be humble and be willing to both help others and also know when to rely on others is so important. The pictures in this book are vibrant and go well with the text. This is a book that I would share with with a young child who needed to learn to help others.

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Tally cat is keeping track of all kinds of silly things by using tally marks. He finds himself being a little too competitive though which lands him in an umpleasant situation. Fortunately, Tally cat does have some friends who help him out of the situation.

I liked this book. The rhyme is solid, the pictures are well done, and the story is great to match the content of learning about tally marks. My son was unfamiliar with using tally marks, so he really enjoyed learning baou them through this fun book.

[Amber Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This rhyming children's book explores the learning of math for ages 5 and up. Tally McNally is a cat that is a little bit too obsessed with tallying and competing for wins. He tallies his way into trouble and let for his friends skills to save the day. At the end of the book it demonstrates and teaches you had to actually tally. This story shows an example of not trying to be the best at everything but admiring and giving credit to your friends characteristics when needed. I would use this book to to teach children to tally and value friendship.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and had just the right word count for my class to listen and take note of the
tally marks and the way it was counted. A math concept book for helping children learn about
math tally marks and counting. Newly published and the author's son did the illustrations.
The rhyme was good and the kids liked the rhyme in third grade.

[Anne Beier · Rating 3 out of 5]

K-2nd grade. Tally cat always has to win. He counts everything and competes with other cats to be the winner. He falls into a sewer and his friends make a chain to pull him out. He learns his lesson about friendship and teamwork.

Good questions at the end of the book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kindergarten class loved this book. I think this story was a great way to introduce contests and keeping score to young kids. It also has a lesson about friendship tied into this clever story.

[Ashley Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Children's books that I have read. I love the rhyming in the book. Also, in this book there are so many lessons that can be taught and learned such as the importance of friendship and competition. I would highly recommend this book!

[Denesha Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that helps reinforce using tally marks. Tally Cat keeps track of everything. This is a good book to read aloud and even introduce or reinforce tallying.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was unexpectedly clever and hilarious!