The Right Number of Elephants: A Humorous Counting Picture Book About Problem-Solving for Children

by Jeff Sheppard, Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

"[In] a joyous twist on the counting-book concept, a girl decides how many elephants are needed to pull a train out of a tunnel, paint the ceiling, go to the beach. . . .Bond's well-executed illustrations [project] a contagious sense of movement. A puckish sense of humor prevails among elephants who skateboard, don sunglasses, act tough, and even wink at the audience." —SLJ. 1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *guess* this is cute? But the premise is a bit absurd; the "right" number of elephants for various arbitrary tasks is whatever number is next when counting down from 10. That is, the point of the book is to count down from 10 to 1, and the thing for which that number of elephants is the "right" number is absolutely random and things for which one normally would require ZERO elephants.

However, this isn't supposed to be a logical book, only an entertaining one (or I have been living life in an INCREDIBLY WRONG WAY). So, as a way to learn how to count down from 10 to 1, it's cute and imaginative, though I can't imagine it being a particularly productive way to remember like with Schoolhouse Rock Multiplication Tables. Also the art is cute, so it's definitely a good book for younger readers!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a huge box and a lot of children's books from my mother-in-law that my husband grew up reading when they downsized from a house to a house on wheels. So I was excited to start reading more books from my husband's past to our children. I never actually read this book before so it was fun to see what it was about. I was surprised on how the text flowed from each page there was no stumbling happening. I loved how the illustrations helped bring the story alive and that this book was not a normal counting book that you find. Cassie really enjoyed looking at all the elephants each with their own personalities (she's really into elephants lately). This book is adorable and I recommend checking it out.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was scute. Slightly forgettable. The art, by Felicia Bond, was adorable as always. Her playful antics added to the thin theme. Worth a trip home from the library and fun for little ones, especially those of the age to be enamored with counting.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute.

I thought, I recognize this artist...ah! If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

[Monica Tomasello · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet, silly counting book with adorable illustrations by Felicia Bond of the "If You Give a" series!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly questions about using elephants in differnt ways are presented coutning the elephants from 10 to 1 which gives a hug. Preschool and up

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you just so happen to live by a train tunnel, and have 10 elephants as friends, you are set.

Very cute and silly. Same illustrator and style as the "If You Give A ___" series

[KhiN’Millie Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked counting the alphas in that one. What a nice book mama. The elephants wore sunglasses and were friends - khi 3

[Megan MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elephants can be your friend! This book incorporates reading and math and describes funny situations and how many elephants could be used. The author of this book did a good job of creating situations that students can relate to and will get a laugh from. Also, the pictures follow along with the words and the numbers go in order. This book could be extended into a lesson of creating their own animal helpers and situations or used to show numbers and quantity. A fun, animal book!

[Gordon Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book lays out ten different scenarios in which they each need a certain number of elephants to complete. The question is posed, “What is the right number of elephants to do…” The first scenario requires ten elephants and the last requires only one. This is a great book for counting. Students learning how to count will benefit from reading books such as these. “The Right Number of Elephants” would help to reinforce counting with students.

[Shakita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would read this book aloud to my younger students and have them help me count the elephants that are needed. They can take guesses about how many they think we need and then as a class we can count the elephants. I would use this book with a younger class because it works on numbers 1-10. After the story is read, the students can pick what their favorite part is and maybe draw the amount of elephants that was in the picture. I would have them write the number word as well as the numeral.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be an awesome book to create a literature to math lesson. It can help students work on numbers 1-10, so for younger grades this would be great. Students could do a many lesson on matching numbers to a picture that represents that number, and they can even draw their own pictures to match numbers. The teacher could use this to help individuals who are struggling with particiular numbers and need a little practice.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books that looks like it was illustrated then a story thrown in to just have something to read. The pictures were adorable, creative and entertaining, but it was really just about counting to 10. A level 1 reading book, my 5 yr old found the pictures silly and fun, but the story not too engaging. My twin preschoolers loved the first picture because it had a train in it, then they lost interest. A cute book, but not one we'll read again.

[Gaby Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be good to have students recognize numbers 1-10. I would have pictures of elephants (10 of them) on each students desks. While I am reading the story I would have the students hold up the correct amount of elephants. This would help them stay engaged in the number I am referring to in the book.

[Allie Redmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for a concept book. This book tells about a young girl who tries to figure out how many elephants she needs to pull a train. I feel that this book gives kids a way to understand how to use their numbers that they have learned. I would use this book for 3rd and 4th graders, because by that age the children have learned how to use the numbers and math they have been using

[Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is fun way to intorduce numbers to kids. Lots of visuals, and choas, funny, and messy concepts that kids will be courious. This book also provide perfect bonding with kids and animals. In this case, it is elephants. pictures of nature, neighbors, and real life situations.

[Taleda Crafter · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book talks about how many elephants you would need in a certain situation, but the elephants don't seem to have a reason to be in the book. The only good thing about this is that the book is repetitive so the children can participate. It also counts backwards.

[Tiffany]

This is a silly and fun read that will keep the kids (and adults) in stitches. The book is structured in a simple countdown from 10 down to 1 elephants. This helps students understand what comes next in the number order.

[Kerri Harshaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute little counting book for small kids. This would be a good book for students to take home with them in their 'book buddy bag'. The illustrations make children look for the answers the the question of how many elephants their are by searching for elephants in the pictures.

[Alana Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for counting backwards. The main character uses the elephants to help him in silly and fun situations. The illustrations carry meaning in this book as well. I would recommend reading this out loud and seeing if the students can predict which numbers come next.

[Tiffany Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book for small children. The illustrations make children look for the answers to the question of how many elephants there are by searching for elephants in the pictures. This book would be great for young students who are learning to count!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about how many elephants you need to complete a task such as pull a train, paint a ceiling, have company on a deserted street, etc. I like the complex vocabulary used. It is a good counting book to count down from 10 to 1.

[Alexis Tanguay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think it really had much of a story line to it. I wasn't a big fan. It would be good for young readers to read on their own because the pictures and very easy to follow.

[Keidra Polite · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a counting story. I liked this book because it gave silly scenarios using the elephants. It also teaches children the importance of friendship.

[Ashley Wampler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a counting book involving the numbers one through ten. I think that children would love it because the illustrations depict elephants doing silly things on each page.

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly book for early grades. Some rhyming words.

[Sha-Quita Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about numbers, counting down from ten to one. Students would learn there numbers and how to count down and possibly up.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun story that goes over numbers and how to count backwards from 10. Good book to go over with Pre-k.

[Kelli Bratten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would use this book to introduce my students to prediction in reading.
It also would serve the purpose of number introduction for younger students.

[Sharon Schlup · Rating 5 out of 5]

K-2 Introduce and Reinforce counting backwards from ten.