Zero is book two after One…

Zero written and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi; published by KO Kids Books, San Rafael, CA; 2010.

Zero has a big, empty hole right in the center.  Unlike fellow numbers 1 through 9, zero has no value.  Zero tries desperately to reshape into other numbers: scrunching to look like one, or twisting into eight or nine, all to no avail.  Lucky for zero, number seven points out that it’s what inside that counts, and zero’s center is really open, not a hole.  With that self-esteem boost, Zero joins other numbers to make their values soar!  Instead of feeling the hole, zero feels whole!

This 1-2-3 book introduces the concept of place value in addition to counting from 0 through 9.  As a bonus, discovering a place in the order of things help children identify what makes them unique and how they might fit into the bigger picture.  This book provides innumerable opportunities to engage children, from identifying the numbers (each of which has a unique color consistently presented throughout the book) to counting and identifying larger numbers.

Otoshi’s designs are integral to the effect of the book.  The cover is black, like nothing, but the title, Zero, and the end pages are a flashy silver.  The juxtaposition of nothingness and flash help keep the story moving forward as zero isn’t nothing, it’s necessary to make the other numbers more than they are alone.  Also, giving each number a unique color is important in helping the youngest children identify them.  I like that zero’s color is a dull gray throughout the book but is a snazzy silver on the cover and end pages; zero is a hero!

Of course this book should be included on library booklists of 1-2-3 books.  Teachers should be aware of the book also, since it introduces the concept of value to the basic number books.  I think I’d pair it in a library counting or numbers kit along with a DVD or CD of the Schoolhouse Rock: Multiplication Rock song “My Hero, Zero.”  Or I’d make the recommendation on the library’s website with a YouTube link to the video.

One Boy, one great book

One Boy by Laura Vaccaro Seeger; published by A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, New York; 2008.

The summary for this book states, “A boy creates ten paintings in this counting book that also explores the relationship of words within words.”  Seeger accomplishes all this with few words and strategically placed windows on every other page.  Yes, it is a counting book as the window only reveals the items being counted—one boy, for example.  When the page is turned, the whole picture is revealed (one boy, all alone, but with his art supplies) and the opposite page in the spread reveals that “one” from the previous page has been revealed as part of the word “alone.”  The progression of the book builds in vivid color and one boy’s imagination to reveal a string of 10 paintings and the word “one” again used in the final word: “done.”

This book works on so many levels it must be read to young children multiple times to explore all the possibilities.  I certainly would include it in a counting book collection.  I would also use it with early elementary students to explore the “word-within-a-word” theme.  An art teacher could also use this book to inspire her class.

Trickster tale teaches too

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales; published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco; 2003.

Learn to count to ten in two languages!  This Mexican folktale is told in brilliant folksy images and funny, tricky text.  Grandma Beetle is not ready to go with Senor Calavera—she’s getting ready to celebrate her birthday and is not ready for death.  In the illustrations we see how she wins the respect of Senor Calavera and the words tell the rest of the tale.

I would use this book at Halloween time and as a book to reinforce counting to ten—in two languages!  I also included it in a pathfinder about Mexico for fifth graders (as part of my practicum project).

Counting and planting seeds

One Child, One Seed: A South African Counting Book by Kathryn Cave, illustrated by Gisele Wulfsohn; published by Henry Holt and Company, in Association with Oxfam, New York; 2002.

Photographs are laid out like a scrapbook.  The text is complex and layered.  First, it is a simple counting book…one child, one seed.  Then more detail about planting and caring for the seed are added.  And last, italic type provides details about life for protagonist Nothando and her family.  The rich layers of the book offer reinforcement of counting skills while providing a glimpse at life in another world.

I would recommend this book to teachers in early elementary to support social studies curriculum as well as add it to a theme box either on counting or world cultures.

Can you solve this mystery?

Alphabet Mystery by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Bruce Wood; published by The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic, New York; 2003.

The digitally-created images in this alphabet adventure will appeal to children who have grown up watching Disney/Pixar movies and watching Rolie Polie Olie.  Their cartoony-realism makes the adventure more plausible.  In the story, Charley’s alphabet tucks themselves into bed and awaken to find Little x and a pencil gone.  Together, the letters (predominantly lower case with some uppercase thrown in as the “adults”),  unravel the mystery.  The illustrations and the use of red type to distinguish the letters reinforce alphabet skills for readers familiar with their a-b-c’s.  The story is the “icing on the cake” with a few xxx kisses for children who are practicing the alphabet.

I would use this in a box of resources around the alphabet.