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Ten Black Dots
From Donald Crews, the Caldecott Honor artist and award-winning creator of Truck , Freight Train , and many other classic picture books for young children, this picture book is a fun introduction to basic math concepts. What can you do with ten black dots?
One dot can make a sun, two dots can make the eyes of a fox, and three dots can make a snowman's face. And that's just the beginning in this unique counting book! Children will develop visual learning skills, explore creativity, and practice counting numbers, all in one deceptively simple—and fun!—picture book. A proven favorite at home and in the preschool classroom.
One dot can make a sun, two dots can make the eyes of a fox, and three dots can make a snowman's face. And that's just the beginning in this unique counting book! Children will develop visual learning skills, explore creativity, and practice counting numbers, all in one deceptively simple—and fun!—picture book. A proven favorite at home and in the preschool classroom.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
15 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Donald Crews
44 books49 followersDonald Crews (born August 30, 1938) is an American illustrator and writer of children's picture books. In 2015, the American Library Association (ALA) honored him with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, recognizing his lasting contribution to children's literature. Common subjects of his include modern technology (especially travel vehicles), and childhood memories. His stories often include few humans.
Two of his works were runners-up, or Caldecott Honor Books, for the ALA's annual award for picture book illustration, the Caldecott Medal.
Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. He had an older brother, Asa who became Beth Israel Hospital's first African-American intern, and two sisters. His mother worked as a seamstress, and his father worked at the railroad, and several other odd jobs. For the summers he would travel down to rural Florida to stay with his grandmother, who he called "Bigmama". The difference between the big city and the farm caused him to create two, massively different types of art later on in his life.
From a young age, his talent for drawing was encouraged by his family and his teachers. When he got into high school, one of his teachers became a mentor to him, and personally made sure that he got into art school.
He graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and married another graduate, graphic artist Ann Jonas.
Crews was drafted into the army in 1963, and sent to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina was born in Germany, and their second was born a year later in New York. Nina is also an award-winning children's book author.
While in Germany, he worked on several pieces for his portfolio, including the book We Read: A to Z (1967). After several suggestions from friends, he submitted it, and it was published by Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). The book relied on abstract ideas, rather than the clichés that were usually associated with ABC books. One classic example is the entry for the letter C: "Cc, corner: where the yellow is" is illustrated with a yellow square in the far corner of a red page in the book.
He created several other books over the next few years, but it was 1978's Freight Train that won him a Caldecott Honor and the respect of other artists in the field. He won another Caldecott Honor the next year for Truck. Several other transportation themed books followed, such as School Bus (1984), Flying (1986), and Sail Away (1995). His memories from his summers in Florida first appeared in Bigmama's and later in Shortcut. These stories are vastly different from his previous works, in that they focus on humans, and tell a more linear story.
Crews and his wife currently live in the state of New York in an old, restored farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Two of his works were runners-up, or Caldecott Honor Books, for the ALA's annual award for picture book illustration, the Caldecott Medal.
Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. He had an older brother, Asa who became Beth Israel Hospital's first African-American intern, and two sisters. His mother worked as a seamstress, and his father worked at the railroad, and several other odd jobs. For the summers he would travel down to rural Florida to stay with his grandmother, who he called "Bigmama". The difference between the big city and the farm caused him to create two, massively different types of art later on in his life.
From a young age, his talent for drawing was encouraged by his family and his teachers. When he got into high school, one of his teachers became a mentor to him, and personally made sure that he got into art school.
He graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and married another graduate, graphic artist Ann Jonas.
Crews was drafted into the army in 1963, and sent to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina was born in Germany, and their second was born a year later in New York. Nina is also an award-winning children's book author.
While in Germany, he worked on several pieces for his portfolio, including the book We Read: A to Z (1967). After several suggestions from friends, he submitted it, and it was published by Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). The book relied on abstract ideas, rather than the clichés that were usually associated with ABC books. One classic example is the entry for the letter C: "Cc, corner: where the yellow is" is illustrated with a yellow square in the far corner of a red page in the book.
He created several other books over the next few years, but it was 1978's Freight Train that won him a Caldecott Honor and the respect of other artists in the field. He won another Caldecott Honor the next year for Truck. Several other transportation themed books followed, such as School Bus (1984), Flying (1986), and Sail Away (1995). His memories from his summers in Florida first appeared in Bigmama's and later in Shortcut. These stories are vastly different from his previous works, in that they focus on humans, and tell a more linear story.
Crews and his wife currently live in the state of New York in an old, restored farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
December 8, 2016
Only one page is dated (the radio), but otherwise this is great for today's kids. It's a bit like a cross between The Dot and Meta counting books, in that it inspires children to make their own drawings starting with a certain number of dots. The little library hardcover I read is actually a 1968 edition and is cute in that it's the size of a board book, so a small child can 'read' it herself. It's also pretty well worn out, from being oft-circulated.
April 6, 2015
Big hit with my little number guru! He loves reading it over and over. After the usual pointing out the number and counting all the dots we've moved on to adding dots on facing pages to make the number. There are many ways to use this book for exposure to numbers.
April 11, 2013
This book is a fun way to introduce counting, graphing, tens frames, and much more. Inside are creative ways to see numbers, opening the door to engaging activities.
October 12, 2019
A children's book to teach counting and engage the imagination.
Read
February 7, 2026Very designer-with-child core, so maybe I will get this for my baby niece when she starts getting into counting.
July 19, 2016
Five year old likes it.
March 23, 2023
Read aloud to my 8 month old. It was fine for counting.
Facts about this book:
• Board book
• Colorful
• Count to 10
• Rhyming
• Dot themed
Facts about this book:
• Board book
• Colorful
• Count to 10
• Rhyming
• Dot themed
August 3, 2023
Good for learning counting and amounts. Much more effective when sung to the child when counting.
January 23, 2021
Dots count up from 1 to 10. They are the beads on a string, the face on a snowman, the knobs on a radio, and more. The large, solidly black dots make for great places for a child to point to when counting, but they do make for some slightly creepy illustrations (especially the eyes on the fox).
March 19, 2019
Genre: Picture Book- Counting Book
Awards: None
Audience: Pre-K/Kindergarten
A. This book starts with what 1 dot can make and then 2, 3 all they way up to ten. It then ends counting up and down to 10.
B. The author used color by making the dots black and the background colorful. It makes the black dots stand out and seem out of place. It draws the reader’s eye to the dots, which are the most important part of the story.
C. I would use this with a whole group read aloud in Kindergarten as an engage in a lesson on making tens and counting 10. I could also use it in a small group setting or intervention setting to work on one to one correspondence and have the students touch the dots. It could also work for counting up and down! So many possibilities!
D. What can 8 dots make? The wheels on a train.
Awards: None
Audience: Pre-K/Kindergarten
A. This book starts with what 1 dot can make and then 2, 3 all they way up to ten. It then ends counting up and down to 10.
B. The author used color by making the dots black and the background colorful. It makes the black dots stand out and seem out of place. It draws the reader’s eye to the dots, which are the most important part of the story.
C. I would use this with a whole group read aloud in Kindergarten as an engage in a lesson on making tens and counting 10. I could also use it in a small group setting or intervention setting to work on one to one correspondence and have the students touch the dots. It could also work for counting up and down! So many possibilities!
D. What can 8 dots make? The wheels on a train.
December 25, 2017
Counting book with pages for one through ten dots. Some numbers have multiple examples.
The book is in rhyme. The examples for the numbers early in the book seem more natural/tied to the number than the ones later. (Eyes of a fox is definitely two, but "seven dots can make the spots on a snake" is more arbitrary.)
There's very little arrangement of the dots in groups that make subitizing easy. The six dots are in two groups of three, and the nine dots are split into five, three, and one. Some of the others are maybe grouped (eight might be in six and two?), but it's less clear. The piggy bank image for nine dots could make a fun number talk.
The book is in rhyme. The examples for the numbers early in the book seem more natural/tied to the number than the ones later. (Eyes of a fox is definitely two, but "seven dots can make the spots on a snake" is more arbitrary.)
There's very little arrangement of the dots in groups that make subitizing easy. The six dots are in two groups of three, and the nine dots are split into five, three, and one. Some of the others are maybe grouped (eight might be in six and two?), but it's less clear. The piggy bank image for nine dots could make a fun number talk.
March 20, 2019
Genre: Picture Book - Counting Book
Awards: None
Audience: ages 2-5 years
A. In the book Ten Black Dots, each page contains a different number of black dots that also complete a picture. Each page has one more dot than the page before, ultimately ending with ten black dots.
B. The illustrator incorporates the use of shape very well in his illustrations. The emphasis of the number of black dots are very evident on each page.
C. In a learning environment, I would use this book to teach a child or children how to count up to ten. When reading together, I can point out each black dot while counting out loud.
D. What color are the dots on each page?
The dots are black.
Awards: None
Audience: ages 2-5 years
A. In the book Ten Black Dots, each page contains a different number of black dots that also complete a picture. Each page has one more dot than the page before, ultimately ending with ten black dots.
B. The illustrator incorporates the use of shape very well in his illustrations. The emphasis of the number of black dots are very evident on each page.
C. In a learning environment, I would use this book to teach a child or children how to count up to ten. When reading together, I can point out each black dot while counting out loud.
D. What color are the dots on each page?
The dots are black.
April 22, 2019
Ten Black Dots is a counting book for early readers. Each page rhymes as the reader counts the dots page by page from the number 1 to the number 10.
I would recommend this book for kindergarteners. Standards wise students should be able to count to 10 by the beginning of kindergarten but there are kids that are behind or that don't speak english as this first language. This would be a helpful book for them. It also rhymes which is a great tool for helping kids who are beginning to read as well as practice their letters. I would include this in my kindergarten classroom.
I would recommend this book for kindergarteners. Standards wise students should be able to count to 10 by the beginning of kindergarten but there are kids that are behind or that don't speak english as this first language. This would be a helpful book for them. It also rhymes which is a great tool for helping kids who are beginning to read as well as practice their letters. I would include this in my kindergarten classroom.
March 26, 2019
I throughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved the large pictures and the black dots that were used to help the kids learn to count. This book is very inviting and I feel little kids would love looking at the pictures and counting the large dots. The great thing about the large dots are that the kiddos little fingers can fit right on them. I think anybody would have a love learning how to count to using this book.
May 4, 2019
Very simple book in its design. Main concept is counting the black dots from 1 to 10. But I think its strength and uniqueness is inspiring to look beyond the dots to see what more they could be. For example: 4 dots could be seeds in a garden row or 4 knobs on a radio.
Give kids 10 dots and see what they can come up with on their own.
The book says redesigned and revised -- not sure what was changed, but I like this edition. Large font, simple but colorful pictures.
Give kids 10 dots and see what they can come up with on their own.
The book says redesigned and revised -- not sure what was changed, but I like this edition. Large font, simple but colorful pictures.
April 24, 2020
Genre: informational grade: kindergarten
This book is so sweet and cute and perfect for teaching young children counting. It is easy to follow along in the illustrations work perfectly with the lesson. This is the perfect book to get kids involved and excited about learning to count and also helped with reading because you help to figure out what is being formed and the words that are describing them. Such a cute book!
This book is so sweet and cute and perfect for teaching young children counting. It is easy to follow along in the illustrations work perfectly with the lesson. This is the perfect book to get kids involved and excited about learning to count and also helped with reading because you help to figure out what is being formed and the words that are describing them. Such a cute book!
October 18, 2017
This was a creative take on counting dots in a children's book. The dots were large and easy to find, but also represented items with each new number. Rhyming was also present throughout the text, which made it an enjoyable read.
Topics: counting, rhyming, numbers 1-10, shapes within everyday objects, colors, reading numbers.
Topics: counting, rhyming, numbers 1-10, shapes within everyday objects, colors, reading numbers.
May 29, 2020
Genre: Poetry/Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: Early Primary (K-1)
A cute book about numbers and dots. It will help children learn to count and use their imagination! What else can a black dot be? It could also be the read aloud for an art project. Give each child 10 black dots and construction paper and let them create!
Grade Level: Early Primary (K-1)
A cute book about numbers and dots. It will help children learn to count and use their imagination! What else can a black dot be? It could also be the read aloud for an art project. Give each child 10 black dots and construction paper and let them create!
December 9, 2017
This is one of my favorite Donald Crews’ concept books! It is quite creative in the use of 10 black dots on every page, and untraditional in the ideas for what the dots could be used for. I would love to have students come up with their own dot art as part of a counting activity.
August 8, 2019
Lu loved the dots and loved counting the dots. Over and over and over and over and over. I'm selfishly not putting this on the find-a-copy list (at least for another month) because there are only so many dots a mom can take. My number seems to be 9.
(GrandMary's house, July 2019)
(GrandMary's house, July 2019)
December 4, 2020
I think this book is an excellent resource for basic counting from 1-10. Also, children will be able to learn how to count, develop visual learning skills, explore creativity, and practice counting numbers.
January 4, 2021
Well, for what it is, it is a fine book to learn how to count. I like the old-fashioned look of the pictures and the simplicity of it. It will be a good book to read with Marcos, who is 4, to learn his numbers.
March 4, 2018
LO didn't take to this. He adores ALL Crews' other books.
May 22, 2018
Honestly, this is a less than impressive children's book about counting and attempting to teach children to use their imagination while doing so.
October 6, 2017
Title: Ten Black Dots
Author: Donald Crews
Illustrator: Donald Crews
Genre: counting books
Theme(s): numbers
Opening line/sentence: “One black dot can make a sun or a moon when the day is done.”
Brief book summary: A visual book that shows all the different things that can be done with ten black dots. One can make a sun, two can make a fox’s eyes, and eight can make the wheels of a train.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Name of reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
Name of Source: CLCD
Link: http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/0/...
Short blurb:
Black circles on simple, bold graphics capture the reader s attention immediately. Crews connects the dots with everyday objects thus making this concept book accessible to young children. One black dot becomes the center of the sun; two are the eyes of a fox. Spacing changes begin to introduce the concept of addition. For example, the eight dots that are the wheels of a train are split with four circles on the engine and then two groupings of two black dots as the wheels on the freight car. There are graphs at the end of the book that correlate the number with the numeral. Originally published in hardcover in 1968, the vibrant, clean layout continues to remain fresh. How nice to have this in a board book edition. For very young children, parents can use this for color and object identification, as well as beginning to introduce the concept of counting. The graphs appropriately present the next step and extend the book into the preschool years.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Name of reviewer: Unknown
Name of Source: Kirkus Reviews
Link: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Short blurb:
Mr. Crews made an auspicious entrance with We Read: A to Z, which did things with the alphabet that nobody'd done before; this does the same things with numbers that everybody's done before, and better. Counting black dots, one to ten, makes sense only when the dots themselves make sense-first as the objects named, then as elements in the composition, finally as representing a characteristic quantity. Here they're miscast as enormous seeds, misplaced as portholes on the upper decks of a boat and miscalculated (four) as knobs on a radio (an old-fashioned table model). Count this one out.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I found it interesting that these two reviewers had such different opinions of the book. While one found the book’s premise to be fun, vibrant, and interesting, the other thought it was contrived and unoriginal.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
I thought it was interesting that there were some rhyming elements to the book. I also liked how the words corresponded with the illustrations. However, I do agree with the one reviewer that this book is very simple and even non-logical at times. For example, when describing the number 2, the examples he used were fox eyes and then two separate keyholes as opposed to another thing that natural came with two.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book could easily be used in any math lesson and I would bet that is why this book was made. I might extend the book after a read aloud by doing different counting games with either magnets on a white board or blocks.
Author: Donald Crews
Illustrator: Donald Crews
Genre: counting books
Theme(s): numbers
Opening line/sentence: “One black dot can make a sun or a moon when the day is done.”
Brief book summary: A visual book that shows all the different things that can be done with ten black dots. One can make a sun, two can make a fox’s eyes, and eight can make the wheels of a train.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Name of reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
Name of Source: CLCD
Link: http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/0/...
Short blurb:
Black circles on simple, bold graphics capture the reader s attention immediately. Crews connects the dots with everyday objects thus making this concept book accessible to young children. One black dot becomes the center of the sun; two are the eyes of a fox. Spacing changes begin to introduce the concept of addition. For example, the eight dots that are the wheels of a train are split with four circles on the engine and then two groupings of two black dots as the wheels on the freight car. There are graphs at the end of the book that correlate the number with the numeral. Originally published in hardcover in 1968, the vibrant, clean layout continues to remain fresh. How nice to have this in a board book edition. For very young children, parents can use this for color and object identification, as well as beginning to introduce the concept of counting. The graphs appropriately present the next step and extend the book into the preschool years.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Name of reviewer: Unknown
Name of Source: Kirkus Reviews
Link: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Short blurb:
Mr. Crews made an auspicious entrance with We Read: A to Z, which did things with the alphabet that nobody'd done before; this does the same things with numbers that everybody's done before, and better. Counting black dots, one to ten, makes sense only when the dots themselves make sense-first as the objects named, then as elements in the composition, finally as representing a characteristic quantity. Here they're miscast as enormous seeds, misplaced as portholes on the upper decks of a boat and miscalculated (four) as knobs on a radio (an old-fashioned table model). Count this one out.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I found it interesting that these two reviewers had such different opinions of the book. While one found the book’s premise to be fun, vibrant, and interesting, the other thought it was contrived and unoriginal.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
I thought it was interesting that there were some rhyming elements to the book. I also liked how the words corresponded with the illustrations. However, I do agree with the one reviewer that this book is very simple and even non-logical at times. For example, when describing the number 2, the examples he used were fox eyes and then two separate keyholes as opposed to another thing that natural came with two.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book could easily be used in any math lesson and I would bet that is why this book was made. I might extend the book after a read aloud by doing different counting games with either magnets on a white board or blocks.
October 6, 2017
Title: Ten Black Dots
Author: Donald Crews
Genre: Counting book, Concept Book
Theme: Counting, Numbers
Opening Line/sentence: What can you do with ten black dots?
Brief Book Summary: The book practices counting to ten using black dots as the object the signify the number being taught. For each number, 1-10, the black dots are used to symbolize something reminiscent of their shape, that children would see in their lives.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Hornbook
http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/...
"What can you do with ten black dots?" Crews creatively incorporates the dots into everyday objects while providing readers with the opportunity to learn their numbers. Maintaining all the rhyming text and vibrant illustrations from the 1986 version (itself revised from 1968), this slightly smaller, durable new board book edition is the ideal format for multiple readings.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Mr. Crews made an auspicious entrance with We Read: A to Z, which did things with the alphabet that nobody'd done before; this does the same things with numbers that everybody's done before, and better. Counting black dots, one to ten, makes sense only when the dots themselves make sense-first as the objects named, then as elements in the composition, finally as representing a characteristic quantity. Here they're miscast as enormous seeds, misplaced as portholes on the upper decks of a boat and miscalculated (four) as knobs on a radio (an old-fashioned table model). Count this one out.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
The two reviews offer contrasting opinions about the content of the book. I find myself agreeing more so with the Kirkus evaluation, as I agree that the objects the black dots represent don't have much meaning. The use of the old radio is dated at this point (although it wouldn't have been in 1968, but revised edition released in 1986, old timey radios fairly rare). Additionally, I found the choices of objects fairly arbitrary relative to their number. A snake could have 7 spots, but it could also have 5,4,3, or none. I believe it would've been better if the objects related to items that are actually consistent with those numbers.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements: As a book designed to teach children to count to 10, the book is laid out in an easy-to-read and linear manner. The sentences are straightforward and immediately present the number being taught and the item it relates to. Additionally, each number’s explanation spans two pages, with the phrase on the first page rhyming with the second. The illustrations are simple, but colorful and vibrant.
Consideration of Instructional Application: With or without the assistance of physical materials to count with, the book may be read to/with the students. The rhyming nature of the book provides a cadence that can allow the class to read along together.
Author: Donald Crews
Genre: Counting book, Concept Book
Theme: Counting, Numbers
Opening Line/sentence: What can you do with ten black dots?
Brief Book Summary: The book practices counting to ten using black dots as the object the signify the number being taught. For each number, 1-10, the black dots are used to symbolize something reminiscent of their shape, that children would see in their lives.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Hornbook
http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/...
"What can you do with ten black dots?" Crews creatively incorporates the dots into everyday objects while providing readers with the opportunity to learn their numbers. Maintaining all the rhyming text and vibrant illustrations from the 1986 version (itself revised from 1968), this slightly smaller, durable new board book edition is the ideal format for multiple readings.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Mr. Crews made an auspicious entrance with We Read: A to Z, which did things with the alphabet that nobody'd done before; this does the same things with numbers that everybody's done before, and better. Counting black dots, one to ten, makes sense only when the dots themselves make sense-first as the objects named, then as elements in the composition, finally as representing a characteristic quantity. Here they're miscast as enormous seeds, misplaced as portholes on the upper decks of a boat and miscalculated (four) as knobs on a radio (an old-fashioned table model). Count this one out.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
The two reviews offer contrasting opinions about the content of the book. I find myself agreeing more so with the Kirkus evaluation, as I agree that the objects the black dots represent don't have much meaning. The use of the old radio is dated at this point (although it wouldn't have been in 1968, but revised edition released in 1986, old timey radios fairly rare). Additionally, I found the choices of objects fairly arbitrary relative to their number. A snake could have 7 spots, but it could also have 5,4,3, or none. I believe it would've been better if the objects related to items that are actually consistent with those numbers.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements: As a book designed to teach children to count to 10, the book is laid out in an easy-to-read and linear manner. The sentences are straightforward and immediately present the number being taught and the item it relates to. Additionally, each number’s explanation spans two pages, with the phrase on the first page rhyming with the second. The illustrations are simple, but colorful and vibrant.
Consideration of Instructional Application: With or without the assistance of physical materials to count with, the book may be read to/with the students. The rhyming nature of the book provides a cadence that can allow the class to read along together.
May 11, 2021
Title (italicize): Ten Black Dots
Author: Donald Crews
Illustrator (if separate from author):
Genre: Concept Book
Theme(s): Counting/ Math
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): What can you do with 10 black dots
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This book counts up to 10 and discusses what children can do with each number
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): Young Mathematicians and Good Reads tells that this book is great to add into your library collection. This will help the children start their counting skills while also identifying animals and pictures. This book is great for math beginners
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): I like that the book gives examples of how to use the dots.
Dislike(s):
Patterns(s): The dots are used for different types of animals/things
Puzzle(s):
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): You can read this book to the children and then have the discuss with their friends what they can make out of 1o dots. you can do a group activity or a personal activity where the children make art with the 10 dots.
Author: Donald Crews
Illustrator (if separate from author):
Genre: Concept Book
Theme(s): Counting/ Math
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): What can you do with 10 black dots
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This book counts up to 10 and discusses what children can do with each number
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): Young Mathematicians and Good Reads tells that this book is great to add into your library collection. This will help the children start their counting skills while also identifying animals and pictures. This book is great for math beginners
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): I like that the book gives examples of how to use the dots.
Dislike(s):
Patterns(s): The dots are used for different types of animals/things
Puzzle(s):
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): You can read this book to the children and then have the discuss with their friends what they can make out of 1o dots. you can do a group activity or a personal activity where the children make art with the 10 dots.
Read
September 21, 2023Ten Black Dots is one of the few books that I have only heard of but never read prior to this project on this list. The book starts off by invoking a thought in the reader, asking the question of what can you do with ten black dots? Immediately having read this my mind went to the Eppler reading on childhood. I thought this as I believe that this is a question that only a “child” can answer with their limitless imagination. The story goes along after asking this question with the author showing things that can be created using the black dots, starting with using just one dot to draw the sun and or the moon, going all the way to ten dots which he uses to draw ten balloons that are stuck in a tree. This book has the central theme of numbers and counting, and it explores these themes by counting up from one all the way to ten through the use of the black dots and the images that are created by it showing kids how to count from one to ten. If this wasn’t enough, at the end of the book, the author removes the images that were painted and instead shows the dots by themselves counting up from one dot all the way to ten dots.
August 11, 2023
Ten Black Dots introduces students to numbers 1-10 using black dots that are part of various illustrations. Two dots are the eyes of the fox, while five dots are buttons on a coat. Donald Crews gives two examples of each number that rhyme with each other. The addition of rhyming phrases creates an engaging story. The illustrations are simple and clear to understand, which is helpful when communicating a math concept. At the end of the book, there is a review of each of the numbers along with the matching quantity of dots in a line. This summary gives students multiple exposures to numbers and matching quantities. Primary grade teachers could read this story to their class to introduce 10-frames as well as to help their students practice their counting skills. As an after reading activity, Q-tip painting numbers 1-10 with black dots would help students develop cardinality as well as fine motor skills.
Want to read
April 12, 2025Ten Black Dots is a simple yet creative picture book ideal for Pre-K through 1st grade students. It introduces early counting skills and number recognition by showing how black dots can become parts of different objects, like faces, cars, or balloons. The repetitive and visual nature of the book supports early math development while also encouraging imagination and artistic expression. Beyond math, this book can be extended into art lessons where students create their own pictures using dot stickers or drawn circles, then write number sentences to match. In science, students could explore how shapes and patterns appear in nature. Social studies connections might include discussing objects from their own lives or communities that could be created using dots. Teachers can ask guiding questions like, “How many dots do you see on this page?” or “What can you make with four dots?” Ten Black Dots is a wonderful tool for integrating math with literacy, art, and early critical thinking.
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