One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B. G. Hennessy, illustrated by Lynne Cravath 2001

This delightful book about the first Thanksgiving is a great introduction to the history of the holiday. A familiar rhyme is used to showcase the everyday lives of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. As autumn draws closer they reap the benefits of their hard work all year, and enjoy a shared celebration. Everyone unites to prepare the feast, and then enjoy the bounty at a celebratory picnic.

"Turkey, cornbread, cranberry stuffing. Pumpkin, cider, Indian pudding. Clams and oysters-tummies growling. Let's give thanks and then we'll eat!"

Hennessey includes informative endnotes to expand on the foods and activities mentioned in the story. The artwork by Cravath is full of warmth, and joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

B. G. Hennessey on Amazon

Lynne Cravath on Amazon

Tillie Lays An Egg

Tillie Lays An Egg by Terry Golson 2009

Tillie the hen doesn’t want to be cooped up like all her friends to lay her eggs, and so she gallivants into the barnyard and leaves little surprises in her path. We are urged to find Tillie’s semi-hidden egg in each full-color photograph.

This book teaches about the egg laying process, and also reviews days of the week and counting. Enjoy the whimsy and fun of a day with feathered friends at Little Pond Farm.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Terry Golson on Amazon

The House in the Meadow

The House in the Meadow by Shutta Crum, illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye 2003

This informational book about building a house from the ground up also includes great practice in counting. A newly married couple oversees the construction of their first home as the seasons change. The text echoes the classic counting rhyme “Over in the Meadow” by Wadsworth. The important job that each worker performs is included in the clever text. Billin-Frye uses colorful collage that has a three-dimensional feel.

“Over in the meadow, by the house, in the sun, waved the wife and the husband and their new little one. “Home!” Said the couple. “You’re home,” said everyone. Then they lived in the meadow, in their house that was done!"

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Shutta Crum on Amazon

Feast for 10

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell 2008

The preparations for a festive meal begin at the grocery store. The shopping cart fills up fast with contributions from each child in the family. Ingredients for a delicious feast multiply in this counting book with rhyming text. The children help during each step of the process, except the baby who fell asleep on the ride home.

The importance of every family member is apparent as ten hands work together. There is a feeling of cozy warmth in the cut-paper illustrations by Falwell. This book reminds us that being together as a family brings much joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Cathryn Falwell on Amazon

G is for One Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book

G is for Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book by Tony DiTerlizzi 2006

This book combines numbers and letters of the alphabet with zany creatures that deserve a second and third glance. A young boy introduces us to each strange, but not too scary looking beast while adding finishing touches with his paintbrush. The nonsense that erupts off each page is quite memorable and full of silliness.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Tony DiTerlizzi on Amazon

City Lullaby

City Lullaby by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Carll Cneut 2007

The sounds and colors of the city are deftly woven into this counting book. A bright pink stroller calmly glides across each chaotic scene from the city.

“Ice cream truck jing-a-linging. Nine annoying cell phones ringing. Nine phones ringing, ten horns beeping. In the stroller, Baby’s sleeping.”

Despite the over-stimulating sounds of the city, Baby snoozes on. There is an abundance of things to find and count on each page. This would make a great choice for storytimes.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Goodnight, Sweet Pig

Goodnight, Sweet Pig by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Josee Masse 2007

Sleep is just a dream for pig number one as her room fills up with rollicking friends. Each pig has their own idea of what should be done at bedtime, and none of them includes sleeping. Finally pig number one speaks up, and the rambunctious crowd falls silent. They proceed to help her drift off to slumber land, and quietly make their exit.

Bailey combines counting and bedtime in a creative way. The illustrations by Masse are bright, and full of humor, as the previous chaos comes to a peaceful conclusion.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book

I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Daniel Moreton 2000

This romp through numbers one to ten, from Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs author Judi Barrett, will stretch your child's imagination. Each number is partnered with a silly verse that rhymes with the number itself. Each number poem is accompanied by, for example, pigs knitting, rats pole vaulting, or bears at a construction site. The scenes become more ridiculous as the numbers escalate.

The computer-generated artwork of Moreton is zany, and oversized with bright colors. Combining three concepts in one (numbers, counting and the concept of rhyming), will make this read a big hit.

Appropriate for ages 2-7

Judi Barrett on Amazon

Doggone Dogs

Doggone Days by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow 2008

Their master won't wake up, but the main characters in this story are off and running. What disaster could befall ten dogs on a trip to the park? In the minds of our doggone friends, none. But the humans in the story have a totally different opinion, based on their bewildered, and angered expressions. This hilarious tale of carefree dog days will make you anticipate the next jaunt to the park.

Beaumont's exuberant text includes many exclamation points, indicating that the dogs run this show. She also manages to include counting practice while keeping track of the ten feisty pets. Catrow's illustrations bely the individual personality of each canine.

For any child who loves dogs, or has one as a pet, this book will induce many giggles.

Appropriate for ages 2-6.

Karen Beaumont on Amazon

David Catrow on Amazon