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Ten Magic Butterflies
Fairies, butterflies, and magic help to make this math-focused picture book from Danica McKellar, the
New York Times
bestselling author of
Goodnight, Numbers
and star of
The Wonder Years
, positively enchanting!
Join ten flower friends for a night of excitement that mixes a little math with a lot of magic. As each flower turns into a butterfly, children will discover different ways to group numbers to create ten, an essential building block of math, all while watching each flower's dream come true. (And keep an eye out for the adorable caterpillar who wishes he could fly, too!)
In this, the second book in the McKellar Math line, actress, math whiz, and New York Times bestselling author Danica McKellar once again sneaks in secret addition and subtraction concepts to help make your child smarter and uses her proven math success to show children that loving numbers is as easy as a wave of a wand and a BING BANG BOO!
Join ten flower friends for a night of excitement that mixes a little math with a lot of magic. As each flower turns into a butterfly, children will discover different ways to group numbers to create ten, an essential building block of math, all while watching each flower's dream come true. (And keep an eye out for the adorable caterpillar who wishes he could fly, too!)
In this, the second book in the McKellar Math line, actress, math whiz, and New York Times bestselling author Danica McKellar once again sneaks in secret addition and subtraction concepts to help make your child smarter and uses her proven math success to show children that loving numbers is as easy as a wave of a wand and a BING BANG BOO!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2018
4 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Danica McKellar
22 books173 followersAmerican actress and mathematician.
She is best known for her role as Winnie Cooper in the television show The Wonder Years.
Now she is known as author of the nationally bestselling book, Math Doesn't Suck, which encourages and empowers middle-school girls with mathematics know-how.
Math Doesn't Suck was so popular McKellar wrote more novels about math, including Kiss My Math and Hot X. She also wrote a sequel to Math Doesn't Suck for years 6 through 9.
McKellar shows many people that just because you are an actor, that doesn't mean you are stupid. Although she is best known through The Wonder Years, that doesn't mean she isn't a wonderful writer and great mathematician.
She is best known for her role as Winnie Cooper in the television show The Wonder Years.
Now she is known as author of the nationally bestselling book, Math Doesn't Suck, which encourages and empowers middle-school girls with mathematics know-how.
Math Doesn't Suck was so popular McKellar wrote more novels about math, including Kiss My Math and Hot X. She also wrote a sequel to Math Doesn't Suck for years 6 through 9.
McKellar shows many people that just because you are an actor, that doesn't mean you are stupid. Although she is best known through The Wonder Years, that doesn't mean she isn't a wonderful writer and great mathematician.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 4, 2020
Miss Five really loved this one - a good start being it had flowers, a fairy, and butterflies. But it went beyond that - it's a rhyming tale that throughout the fun story incorporated some counting too and fun 'sound words'. It's a pretty sweet story, but they're good now and then in among all the other books we read - good story with a good message but doesn't lecture. The rhymes are simple but put a smile on our faces. Great, vivid illustrations that bring the story to further life on the page.
Generally, thumbs up all around.
Generally, thumbs up all around.
September 16, 2018
Numbers, poetry, and science. You'll find an element of each of those in this adorable book! It's a great story that will help young children who are learning to count, identify numbers. But there's also a hidden inspirational message. In the story, there are ten flowers who ask to become butterflies. They love being butterflies for a short while, but soon ask to be turned back in to flowers. Realizing they missed what they used to be and have. The message the book provides is to be happy with who you are and what you can do. Wishing to be someone else won't make your insufficiencies go away, you'll just have other issues to overcome. Really cute book. Great illustrations. Language, words and concepts are simple enough for young readers to read alone. However, this book would make a great read aloud story. Read it. You'll enjoy it.
February 25, 2018
In this gentle introduction to math, ten bright-colored flower friends wish they could fly like the fairies. A dark-skinned fairy grants their wishes by transforming them one at a time into butterflies. They enjoy their mobility at first, but by the next day, wish to return to their life as flowers. Again, the kind-hearted fairy grants their wish. The transformations are used as an opportunity to point out that there are different ways to make up ten, “1 butterfly flew as / 9 flowers looked on. / There were still 10 of them / in the sky, on the lawn.” Several of the flowers display distinct personalities, both in the lines they speak and their appearance. There are cleverly engaging touches in the illustrations. Watch especially for the pudgy caterpillar who adoringly observes the activities on each page until it achieves its own transformation. Fantasy and reality intersect near the end where a little dreaming girl who looks like the fairy clutches a stuffed caterpillar; a doll that resembles both the girl and the fairy sits on her nightstand. At the end, McKellar addresses caregivers to suggest methods for inspiring children to enjoy math and to provide activities to use with the book. Even the end pages contribute by displaying sample ten-frames made up of various flower/butterfly combinations.
March 9, 2018
wowza. so much (too much) going on in this one and the result is rather uninspiring . bummer.
November 17, 2019
Got this for my niece and I think she will really enjoy it. Very cute illustrations and a fun way to learn math skills.
April 16, 2018
Another celebrity author bites the dust. BLECH.
Such a mess here in this book; where to start? Where to look...BING BANG BOO! This book was horrible, that much is true. It has math and counting (that's good, you know), but the rest is atrocious, and the rhymes don't flow. Butterflies? Fairies? Too too sweet. It's trite. It's pretty. It's a cloying treat...
that to read this book I wouldn't advise; find something that won't make want to pluck out your eyes!
Such a mess here in this book; where to start? Where to look...BING BANG BOO! This book was horrible, that much is true. It has math and counting (that's good, you know), but the rest is atrocious, and the rhymes don't flow. Butterflies? Fairies? Too too sweet. It's trite. It's pretty. It's a cloying treat...
that to read this book I wouldn't advise; find something that won't make want to pluck out your eyes!
February 2, 2018
Not much of a story or counting book.
March 5, 2018
Illustrations perfect for a young child to enjoy. Bedtime story appropriate.
March 13, 2020
Ten flowers are tired of being themselves and curious about other creatures, so they ask a fairy to change them into butterflies so that they can fly. The early point of the book is to show how 1+9 = 10, 2+8 = 10, etc., basically, each time one is changed into a butterfly, there is still 10 of them total, it's just that they're changing form. My kid definitely could get this point, and it's such a creative yet intuitive way of having students add different things up to 10. It's brilliantly done.
Once all 10 are changed into butterflies, the story switches gears: the now-turned-butterflies are tired of flying and want to be turned back! The point of course is that "the grass is always greener on the other side". The book then dwells on this fact for 1-2 more pages before ending.
The illustrations of this book are amazing. Very well-done and my 3.5 yo loved them. They have a kind of a darker theme, but still very bright and easy to see. I really think the illustrations are the strongest point of the book, followed by the mathematical concept.
The language of the story will need some modification by the parent/reader, because some of the words used to fit into the rhyming scheme of the book are not appropriate level for young readers. That's not a big deal though, since I regularly do this for books I read to my kid. It's OK if the rhyming is not perfectly consistent all the time; we're not talking about Dr. Seuss here.
The book finishes by talking a lot about he we might want to be something we're not. There is a magical element to all of this that captures kids' imaginations, and it is done very well. Some might complain the book is slightly too long. It's clear that there is a shift in the story - from being about math to being about this different issue of wanting to be things we are not. I think kids will take away both messages, but it's true that it is a slight stretch. I, for one, appreciated that it wasn't just a math book and tried to do something more.
Just for the concept itself, I think this book deserves a 5. If I were to take more serious account of some of the book's minor weaknesses, maybe a 4 would be warranted. But it's definitely closer to a 5 than a 4.
Once all 10 are changed into butterflies, the story switches gears: the now-turned-butterflies are tired of flying and want to be turned back! The point of course is that "the grass is always greener on the other side". The book then dwells on this fact for 1-2 more pages before ending.
The illustrations of this book are amazing. Very well-done and my 3.5 yo loved them. They have a kind of a darker theme, but still very bright and easy to see. I really think the illustrations are the strongest point of the book, followed by the mathematical concept.
The language of the story will need some modification by the parent/reader, because some of the words used to fit into the rhyming scheme of the book are not appropriate level for young readers. That's not a big deal though, since I regularly do this for books I read to my kid. It's OK if the rhyming is not perfectly consistent all the time; we're not talking about Dr. Seuss here.
The book finishes by talking a lot about he we might want to be something we're not. There is a magical element to all of this that captures kids' imaginations, and it is done very well. Some might complain the book is slightly too long. It's clear that there is a shift in the story - from being about math to being about this different issue of wanting to be things we are not. I think kids will take away both messages, but it's true that it is a slight stretch. I, for one, appreciated that it wasn't just a math book and tried to do something more.
Just for the concept itself, I think this book deserves a 5. If I were to take more serious account of some of the book's minor weaknesses, maybe a 4 would be warranted. But it's definitely closer to a 5 than a 4.
May 23, 2018
First sentence: Once upon a time, there were 10 flower friends. Were they always happy? Well that depends...
Premise/plot: Ten (talking) flowers become dissatisfied with their life and dream of flying like the fairies they see at night. One flower speaks up and asks the fairy for a bit of magic. The fairy grants the wish: the flower becomes a butterfly. One by one flowers ask and receive the same wish. But will they be happier as butterflies?
My thoughts: This book is ALL about the math. The story is ALL about introducing the math facts:
1+9=10, 2+8=10, 3+7=10, 4+6=10, 5+5=10, 6+4=10, 7+3=10, 8+2=10, 9+1=10. True, she speeds up the process after 5+5 by just saying "Yes, one by one they filled the sky as the sweet little fairy helped each to fly." But essentially this is about the different ways you can get to ten. TOLD IN RHYME.
Would I be more forgiving if it wasn't told in rhyme? Probably. You see, I am a stubborn person who believes that rhyme and rhythm should go together...always, no exception. You can have rhythm without rhyme perhaps. But without rhythm, your rhyme is missing something vital. It's a pretender. And this book lacks rhythm.
Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 5 out of 10
Premise/plot: Ten (talking) flowers become dissatisfied with their life and dream of flying like the fairies they see at night. One flower speaks up and asks the fairy for a bit of magic. The fairy grants the wish: the flower becomes a butterfly. One by one flowers ask and receive the same wish. But will they be happier as butterflies?
My thoughts: This book is ALL about the math. The story is ALL about introducing the math facts:
1+9=10, 2+8=10, 3+7=10, 4+6=10, 5+5=10, 6+4=10, 7+3=10, 8+2=10, 9+1=10. True, she speeds up the process after 5+5 by just saying "Yes, one by one they filled the sky as the sweet little fairy helped each to fly." But essentially this is about the different ways you can get to ten. TOLD IN RHYME.
Would I be more forgiving if it wasn't told in rhyme? Probably. You see, I am a stubborn person who believes that rhyme and rhythm should go together...always, no exception. You can have rhythm without rhyme perhaps. But without rhythm, your rhyme is missing something vital. It's a pretender. And this book lacks rhythm.
Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 5 out of 10
May 7, 2018
Goodnight, Numbers was such a cute book. But this one was just plain bad. The concept and the artwork were cute, but the execution was awful. The story was poorly written, some of the lines didn't make any sense, and the words didn't flow.
May 8, 2020
Am looking forward to using this book with grandchildren this summer. Great way to introduce groupings of ten and counting.
September 26, 2020
Dare to Dreamathon
Team Stitch
Prompt: Experiment 626- read a book with a number in the title
Team Stitch
Prompt: Experiment 626- read a book with a number in the title
May 17, 2023
This little book was so cute and precious!
April 12, 2018
It was "meh," which is sad - because I liked the concept of teaching the grouping of numbers that still make ten. Unfortunately, the story wasn't terribly interesting to begin with, and then it got bogged down with the repetition of the counting.
June 9, 2020
Sweet rhyming :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hnCG...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hnCG...
April 17, 2018
This book was adorable! I loved the artwork; it felt like it came right out of a fantasy novel! I think my favorite part was the little caterpillar, who wanted to fly just as badly as the flowers! I must admit, that when I started getting towards the end of the book and the caterpillar still hadn't gotten a turn to fly, I was a little upset! This cute little book had me so hooked, that I never even thought about the fact that caterpillars turn into butterflies all on their own, lol!
Besides being a cute story, with lovely artwork, this book is a step in the direction our society needs! It encourages counting, basic mathematics, and a love of learning. In a letter to parents in the back of the book, it explains how children need to be introduced to math at a young age without a stigma attached to it, in order to get rid of this ingrained fear of numbers that is becoming common. It also encourages that parents take an active roll in their children's learning, and to not wait until "school-age" to start!
Besides being a cute story, with lovely artwork, this book is a step in the direction our society needs! It encourages counting, basic mathematics, and a love of learning. In a letter to parents in the back of the book, it explains how children need to be introduced to math at a young age without a stigma attached to it, in order to get rid of this ingrained fear of numbers that is becoming common. It also encourages that parents take an active roll in their children's learning, and to not wait until "school-age" to start!
March 9, 2018
“Once upon a time there were 10 flower friends. Were they always happy? Well that depends…” In Danica McKellar’s Ten Magic Butterflies we meet 10 little flowers with a secret desire to fly. On one starry night, one of the flowers spots a flying fairy and asks for her help. With a wave of her wand and a few special words, all of the flowers become butterflies. And so the magical adventure begins…
Ten Magic Butterflies is a beautifully illustrated and well written children’s book that is not only a fun read, but also a lesson in math. It teaches children that there is more than one way to count to ten.
Learning math should always be fun and Danica McKellar has a knack of passing that message along to children of all ages. I loved Ten Magic Butterflies and can’t wait to read it to my granddaughter. I’m happy to give it five stars.
Ten Magic Butterflies is a beautifully illustrated and well written children’s book that is not only a fun read, but also a lesson in math. It teaches children that there is more than one way to count to ten.
Learning math should always be fun and Danica McKellar has a knack of passing that message along to children of all ages. I loved Ten Magic Butterflies and can’t wait to read it to my granddaughter. I’m happy to give it five stars.
February 12, 2018
Pencil and digital paint illustrations complement this story about ten flower friends who want to fly. With some help from butterfly friends, they are able to get their wish. Although there is some counting in the book, there isn't a lot of it, and I didn't really see the point of the book other than to celebrate the joy and magic of flowers. Possibly, caregivers can use the book to point out the different combinations that can make a total of ten, but the story was so long-winded that it lost my interest before reaching the conclusion.
July 11, 2018
Beautiful illustrations and wonderful story with rhyming! It has a very nice flow and there's math in the book made fun! My favorite things about this book is the rhyme and the fairy. She's so cute! Love the style of the art and writing.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
I also love the little illustrations about the caterpillar. I love it when there's a secret story within the illustrations throughout the book. It shows the caterpillar thinking up a plan, building things, and then shows us that the caterpillar made an airplane and then crashed it.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
I also love the little illustrations about the caterpillar. I love it when there's a secret story within the illustrations throughout the book. It shows the caterpillar thinking up a plan, building things, and then shows us that the caterpillar made an airplane and then crashed it.
April 14, 2021
Title: Ten Magic Butterflies
Author: Danica McKellar
Illustrator: Jennifer Bricking
Genre: Fiction
Theme(s): Butterflies, counting, & fantasy
Opening line/Sentence: “Once upon a time, there were 10 flower friends.”
Brief Book Summary: There are 10 flowers that sing and sway in the wind during the day, but at night the fairies come out and the flowers desire to fly. One night one of the flowers asks a fairy to use her magic to make the flower fly, so the fairy turns all of the flowers into butterflies. The butterflies realize that they want to be flowers again and one by one they are turned back into flowers. The main message of the book is that everyone should be content with who they are and it’s great that everyone is different.
Response to two professional reviews: From the professional reviews, the mathematical concepts that are mentioned in this book are counting and simple addition and subtraction. When this is read aloud to children it would help them learn about these mathematical concepts. Another point mentioned is that the illustrations are given a very cartoon nature to them and so it makes them feel more inviting and kind.
Tell Me Framework:
Like(s): I like the concept about how the flowers wanted to fly, so the fairies helped them out.
Dislike(s): At points in the story the counting was a little confusing due to the wording that the author used.
Pattern(s): There is a use of rhyme and repetition when it comes to counting the flowers/butterflies.
Puzzle(s): Why did the author decide to choose flowers as the main characters to change?
Consideration of Instruction Application: Teachers could use manipulatives that they have in the classroom to act out or physically show the math that was brought up in the story. Children can also be given a piece of paper and they have to draw a certain amount of flowers or something else that they want and then they have to “change” the flowers into something else. The children need to make sure they have the same amount of something the entire time.
Author: Danica McKellar
Illustrator: Jennifer Bricking
Genre: Fiction
Theme(s): Butterflies, counting, & fantasy
Opening line/Sentence: “Once upon a time, there were 10 flower friends.”
Brief Book Summary: There are 10 flowers that sing and sway in the wind during the day, but at night the fairies come out and the flowers desire to fly. One night one of the flowers asks a fairy to use her magic to make the flower fly, so the fairy turns all of the flowers into butterflies. The butterflies realize that they want to be flowers again and one by one they are turned back into flowers. The main message of the book is that everyone should be content with who they are and it’s great that everyone is different.
Response to two professional reviews: From the professional reviews, the mathematical concepts that are mentioned in this book are counting and simple addition and subtraction. When this is read aloud to children it would help them learn about these mathematical concepts. Another point mentioned is that the illustrations are given a very cartoon nature to them and so it makes them feel more inviting and kind.
Tell Me Framework:
Like(s): I like the concept about how the flowers wanted to fly, so the fairies helped them out.
Dislike(s): At points in the story the counting was a little confusing due to the wording that the author used.
Pattern(s): There is a use of rhyme and repetition when it comes to counting the flowers/butterflies.
Puzzle(s): Why did the author decide to choose flowers as the main characters to change?
Consideration of Instruction Application: Teachers could use manipulatives that they have in the classroom to act out or physically show the math that was brought up in the story. Children can also be given a piece of paper and they have to draw a certain amount of flowers or something else that they want and then they have to “change” the flowers into something else. The children need to make sure they have the same amount of something the entire time.
September 12, 2022
This book was about flowers who wanted to fly like the fairies they'd watch every night. One night, a flower asks one of the fairies if she can help him fly. She sprinkles some fairy dust on him and he becomes a butterfly. Eventually the other flowers see him flying and they want to fly too. By the end, all flowers became butterflies and they realized they preferred being flowers so the fairy changes them all back. The story teaches the reader that the grass is always greener on the other side. I gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed the storyline, it was really heartfelt and sweet, but I didn't really enjoy the illustrations. The faces inside the flowers and butterflies looked like clipart from a computer in my opinion so I didn't really enjoy them. throughout the story, the flowers were illustrated becoming butterflies after being sprinkled by fair dust by a fairy flying above them. there were also illustrations on the inside of the front and back cover of groupings of 10 butterflies and flowers to show the importance of the number 10 within the book.
I would probably use this book in a kindergarten or first grade class to teach about rhyming words and repetition for younger ages to teach phonics as well as teach subtraction. As the flowers become butterflies, the story counts down and also does a good job explaining throughout that there are still a total of 10 flowers, but it also shows subtraction with so many in the air flying and the rest remaining on the ground as flowers.
I would probably use this book in a kindergarten or first grade class to teach about rhyming words and repetition for younger ages to teach phonics as well as teach subtraction. As the flowers become butterflies, the story counts down and also does a good job explaining throughout that there are still a total of 10 flowers, but it also shows subtraction with so many in the air flying and the rest remaining on the ground as flowers.
April 3, 2018
McKellar, Danica Ten Magic Butterflies, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking. PICTURE BOOK Crown Books for Young Readers (Random), 2018. $18. 9781101933824
Ten flowers watch fairies fly around and decide they would like the chance to fly as well. The fairies grant the flowers wings, so they are able to fly for the night. When the morning comes, the flowers turned butterflies are exhausted and just want to be flowers again. The fairies explain that sometimes we want to be what we are not, but in the end being ourselves is always best.
The illustrations in this book are adorable and bright. The story is even cute with a good moral. I felt like this book was trying too hard to be a counting book with different math equations and if a book is going to be a counting book then it should be consistent; whereas, this book started assuming that the reader was going to understand the breakdown of counting the flowers to butterflies on their own, making it choppy in the middle.
EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Ten flowers watch fairies fly around and decide they would like the chance to fly as well. The fairies grant the flowers wings, so they are able to fly for the night. When the morning comes, the flowers turned butterflies are exhausted and just want to be flowers again. The fairies explain that sometimes we want to be what we are not, but in the end being ourselves is always best.
The illustrations in this book are adorable and bright. The story is even cute with a good moral. I felt like this book was trying too hard to be a counting book with different math equations and if a book is going to be a counting book then it should be consistent; whereas, this book started assuming that the reader was going to understand the breakdown of counting the flowers to butterflies on their own, making it choppy in the middle.
EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
June 14, 2020
Fiction
Early Primary K-2
This is a cute and adorable book that teaches children about mathematical concepts especially addition facts with the sum of 10. This book have amazing illustration and this book is about Ten Flowers Friends that wish to fly as they watch others fly. One of the flowers saw a fairy and ask for a wish to fly, the fairy said, okay close your eyes and get ready. Bing - Bang you are now a Butterfly. Suddenly the flower was changed into a Butterfly. And the other flower’s saw and said me next. They were all so very happy to fly. As morning came, they were tired from flying all night. Now morning came and they realized they want to be flowers again. So, the Fairy said, “I thought you would want to change back, grass you think is always greener on the other side. Being yourself is always best of all. The Fairy said Bing Bang Boo your back. So, do not be surprise this story maybe true, the Magic Butterflies may come to visit you at night.
Early Primary K-2
This is a cute and adorable book that teaches children about mathematical concepts especially addition facts with the sum of 10. This book have amazing illustration and this book is about Ten Flowers Friends that wish to fly as they watch others fly. One of the flowers saw a fairy and ask for a wish to fly, the fairy said, okay close your eyes and get ready. Bing - Bang you are now a Butterfly. Suddenly the flower was changed into a Butterfly. And the other flower’s saw and said me next. They were all so very happy to fly. As morning came, they were tired from flying all night. Now morning came and they realized they want to be flowers again. So, the Fairy said, “I thought you would want to change back, grass you think is always greener on the other side. Being yourself is always best of all. The Fairy said Bing Bang Boo your back. So, do not be surprise this story maybe true, the Magic Butterflies may come to visit you at night.
September 9, 2020
I like how immediately the book mentions that the flowers were not always happy, it just depended on the day. It touches on how the flowers envy the fairies for being able to fly. When the blue flower was able to grab the attention of a fairy in the sky, the fairy questions why they would want to be anything different. The fairy changed the blue flower into a butterfly and told her she was in for a big surprise. All ten flowers were changed into butterflies but by the next morning they were all too tired and couldn't rest. The butterflies now envied the flowers soaking up the sun. The illustrations in this book are simple and look like they were done on a computer photoshop, or drawn out with pencils then created into digital art. The book's hidden message is that everyone should accept themselves for who they are. You may think someone else has it better than you, when they really don't.
February 11, 2023
This book is called "Ten Magic Butterflies" it is written by Danica McKellar and illustrated by Jenifer Bricking. The genre is Juvenile fiction for the age range of six to eight years old. This book could also be read to younger kids learning how to count. The book is suitable for learning how to count and beginning to introduce adding and subtracting. It is a good math book, and the pictures are gorgeous. The book takes place outside at night. The book is about ten flowers who wish to fly after seeing a fairy that can fly. The flowers ask the fairy to be butterflies, and slowly one by one, the flowers become beautiful butterflies. Only in the end do the flowers wish to be flowers again as they realize they love being the way they are. This book also teaches kids that they are perfect the way they are. The book's illustrations are relaxing and remind me of "Alice and Wonderland." (Almost Mystical, in a way). Any age can enjoy this book.
March 11, 2018
This beautifully illustrated example of edutainment shows rather well that yes, you can tell a story that is vibrant and magic filled, while still imparting some practical lessons. Here, we have TEN flower friends that love being their petaled selves, but wish with all their pollen filled hearts to fly. A kind hearted fairy helps them reach their dreams, ONE by ONE, only to discover that the grass may not be greener on the other side, simply different, and when this new vantage point is understood, their desire to return things to their previous state have them counting back down from TEN to ONE. It's subtle, but it's there...and the additional lesson of BEING YOURSELF to be your best is most appreciated too.
**copy received for review
April 16, 2024
Engaging picture book that teaches the early math skill of making sets of ten.
McKellar uses a fairy turning 10 flowers into butterflies one-by-one and then back into flowers to teach this concept. The end message also includes loving yourself as you are and not needing to change with the butterflies wanting to turn back into flowers at the end of the story.
The use of rhyme makes the story engaging and allows for young children to enjoy listening to the cadence of the story. My 3 month old enjoyed listening to the rhythmic sound of my reading and “talked” along with the prosody of my speech.
I love Danica McKellar’s books and the way she writes engaging books for young children to create positive associations with math concepts.
McKellar uses a fairy turning 10 flowers into butterflies one-by-one and then back into flowers to teach this concept. The end message also includes loving yourself as you are and not needing to change with the butterflies wanting to turn back into flowers at the end of the story.
The use of rhyme makes the story engaging and allows for young children to enjoy listening to the cadence of the story. My 3 month old enjoyed listening to the rhythmic sound of my reading and “talked” along with the prosody of my speech.
I love Danica McKellar’s books and the way she writes engaging books for young children to create positive associations with math concepts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2018
This colorful picture book uses a cute story in rhyming text about flowers that wish to fly to illustrate basic math concepts for younger children. There are ten flowers in the garden who are happy soaking up the sun and laughing all day, but as they watch the nighttime fairies zipping around in the sky, they decide to ask one of the fairies to help them fly, too. The friends remain a set of ten throughout the story, but the number combinations of flowers and butterflies change on each page. The author had also included a list of ways grownups can use this book to help children develop math skills.
April 22, 2020
There were ten flower friends who wanted to fly so they asked for some help from the fairy. She turned each one of them into a butterfly. Then it got windy, their wings got tired so they told the fairy they wanted to be flower again. She turned all of them back to flowers because they missed all the things they had before. They realize what they had and they were better off being their true selves. The illustrations were nice to look at and I noticed each butterfly had a different color. I gave this book a three-star because it included math and something magical. Students can come up with different ways to get a ten. Other than that, this book was long and boring.
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