Anne's Numbers: Inspired By Anne of Green Gables

Anne

by Kelly Hill (Illustrator)

A must-have board book for Anne of Green Gables fans, with charming, hand-embroidered illustrations.

Iconic moments from the beloved L.M. Montgomery classic are celebrated in this adorable concept book. Walk along with Anne as she goes on a nature walk, counting trees, flowers, clouds and friends! The path Anne takes is based on the description of Anne's walk to school in Anne of Green Gables. Each scene has multiple counting opportunities, with simple text and tactile, gorgeous works of art created from cut fabric and embroidery.

Part of a series of Anne concept books, Anne's Numbers is a perfect way to introduce future fans to this winning character.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Classics, Number, Counting

22 pages, Board book

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pretty water-color illustrations of numbers 1 through 10 that are more likely to appeal to the mothers who adored Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables than their tots.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty basic count-to-ten board book. Of Hill's four Anne board books, this one is the least connected to the story in the text (butterflies, clouds, and toadstools--nothing particularly Anne-ish) but the illustrations make up for it. "10 friends" includes some recognizable faces (I can spot Josie Pye and Ruby Gillis) and the end is a scene from the Sunday school picnic. I just love Hill's illustrations, again all handmade appliqués with machine stitching and hand embroidery. It lends a very homey feel, while a vibrant color palette keeps it from being twee. I liked her choice to dress Anne in the same outfit through the whole book. There is also a second illustration of the same number of items besides the main counted item (8 berries are accompanied by 8 preserve jars) which lends something to enliven repeated readings.

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute number book - it follows Anne of Green Gables as she counts her way around the story. I really like how the author did the images.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anne Shirley sets out to gather some preparations for a party, but as she is wont to do, gets distracted along the way.

A nicely done counting book with charming mixed-media art.

[Damaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book because it is both simple yet foundational for Canadian children to be immersed in Canadian culture, even from a young age. Anne's Numbers provides Canadian children with a beautiful way to learn their numbers alongside our beloved Anne of Green Gables! The illustrations throughout Anne's Numbers are simply beautiful, providing a lush backdrop for the reader to interact with the world of Green Gables and be introduced to Anne and her friends. This book receives five stars from me because the concept is impeccable and the illustrations are well executed, even on the digital ARC that I received. Well done, Kelly Hill!
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant idea for a book this is! I have a young daughter and she was completely engrossed in the book, the pictures are nice, bright and I love the whole concept and the different way the book is presented to allow little ones to learn their numbers. 5 stars from me!

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Please note this review covers the four ANNE board books by Kelly Hill!*

Canadian book designer (and clearly, crafter-extraordinaire!) Kelly Hill brings the youngest of readers- and their caregivers- a marvelous treat with a series of four Anne of Green Gables-based concept board books that feature hand-embroidered illustrations. All inspired by "iconic moments from the beloved L.M. Montgomery classic", this board book series includes: Anne's Alphabet, Anne's Colors, Anne's Feelings, and Anne's Numbers. From "L is for Lake of Shining Water" and "red cordial", to "Anne is excited" and "3 skipping stones", each of these excellent sturdy books works as both a dive into Anne's snug world and and as an accessible and straightforwardly functional concept book. Any of the titles would make for an adorable newborn/baby gift...while older readers who have loved the Anne of Green Gables series may especially fancy spending time in Kelly Hill's brilliantly imagined, cozy and joyful interpretation of Anne. The hand embroidery is absolutely enchanting- the more you peruse, the more intricate and sweet details you notice- and I would like to point out this lovely illustration note, if I haven't already convinced you to seek these books out: "The artwork in this book was created with fabric, thread, embroidery floss and a sprinkling of freckles". Readers who have enjoyed Holman Wang and Jack Wang's felted stories, Jennifer Adams' BabyLit series, or who appreciated hand-crafted artwork, might especially love Kelly Hill's series of board books.

I received copies of these titles courtesy of Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own.

[BespectacledBookGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Tundra Books for a free review copy of Anne's Numbers!
Kelly Hill's board book Anne's Numbers is a precious way to introduce a wee reader to both numbers and the darling world of Anne of Green Gables. Each page is a high quality photograph of Hill's lovely original artwork - fabrics, stitches, textures and colors sure to enchant tots and moms alike. The images are so clear that for a moment I thought there was actual thread on each page and had to touch it to realize it was photographs. Amazing! Currently I've got this on my coffee table for calm moments- honestly, even though I'm a grown Anne fan, I simply enjoy looking at this myself! The subjects chosen are related to L.M. Montgomery's world enough that children will recognize them later when reading the original Anne tales; they are generic enough that most children will probably recognize the elements in their every day lives (clouds, flowers, friends, etc). This is an ingenious way to bridge the young child's imagination and lived experience with Anne's world, and prepare a new generation of kindred spirits for the time-honored journey through Avonlea.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: 1 cherry tree



Premise/plot: This concept board book is inspired by L.M. Montgomery's Anne series. The concept being taught is counting one to ten. Anne Shirley can be found in every illustration. The scenes often celebrate nature much like the novels do.

1 cherry tree

2 butterflies

3 stepping stones

4 trees

My thoughts: I find the illustrations cute, precious, adorable, delightful, fun. The text is super-simple and not exactly spectacular. But the illustrations are appealing--at least to adults.


I would recommend this one to parents--probably mothers--who love, love, love, love Anne Shirley.


Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Anne of Green Gables and I love how the author once again used the backdrop if the story to teach numbers. Each page had a number and an item from nature that would have been seen at a picnic by the lake. The book culminated in the picnic scene from the Anne of Green Gables story. The illustrations, done in thread, material and wool gave this book an added interest for young children who love anything tactile. A wonderful idea for a board book for toddlers to teach numbers as well as introduce them to a classic story. Another win for Kelly Hill. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Elley Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute fabric crafted illustrations, a great first numbers book you can read with your child to learn numbers. Words are very simple “two butterflies” and “three stepping stones”, so really a book of numbers - don’t expect a story! So cute.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children/ Board book
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find my full review here: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...

This board book features absolutely gorgeous designs that celebrate, primarily, the settings from the ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series. Counting up to 10 with full page spreads for each number, this is loads of fun for beginning counters. Toddlers will enjoy the vivid colors and beautiful imagery as they count with Anne.

What I loved: These hand-embroidered images (photographed for the book) are simply lovely and a delight to look at. Toddlers will enjoy counting the items easily on display. My favorite illustration was the five forest animals which are absolutely adorable and include a squirrel, fox, bunny, deer, and raccoon. The magical scenery of Green Gables is featured throughout this enjoyable book, including with stepping stones and toadstools.

Final verdict: Like the rest of this series, ANNE’S NUMBERS is a charming way to introduce Anne to young toddlers and for older fans to revisit her delightful world. With counting up to 10, little ones will enjoy exploring numbers alongside the vivid and gorgeous hand-embroidered images.

[Lara Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne of Green Gables (the character and the book) and creator/author Lucy Maud Montgomery seem to be everywhere lately - two recent small screen adaptations, a Heritage Minute in Canada, new biographies and scholarly books, etc.

Apart from its place in the Anne industry, "Anne's Numbers" is one example of the trend in books where writers and publishers are taking beloved classics and putting a spin on them for early readers - which is really meant to appeal to the adults who buy the books for the children (or who will buy children's books for themselves or other grown folk as an act of fandom). Quite a clever marketing angle, really.

Small children to whom this book is read will probably not care a whit about the fact that it features "the" Anne with an e. But they might appreciate the bright colours and the illusion of texture through Kelly Hill's textile illustrations, which give this board book and its series companion "Anne's Colors" real charm. Adult readers might also appreciate the sweet textile art while reading to children who are learning to count.

I read advance review digital copies of #AnnesNumbers and #AnnesColors from the publisher Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada via #NetGalley.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Anne of Green Gables, so this was a fun way to introduce the fun redhead to Elliot. From one to ten, each page has a number and corresponding object (1 cherry tree, 2 butterflies...). They were pretty standard things (stepping stones, woodland animals, etc) rather than objects specific to the story (no raspberry cordial, green hair dye, or puffed sleeves, unfortunately), but it was still cute.

* library book. Read at 20mo.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! While this book is based on Anne of Green Gables, the objects on the pages are mostly nature-based (flowers, toadstools, clouds, etc.) and not specific to Anne. However, if you're a fan, look out for the Sunday School picnic at the end!

I absolutely adore the stitched, cloth-based illustrations, and especially Anne's orange braids.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I love the fabric illustrations in this Anne concept book, the scenes were not as relatable to the story of Anne of Green Gables as they were in “Anne’s Colors”. Woodland animals and toadstools? 5 stars for the art, but it lost a star for not quite meeting it’s purpose of introducing kids to Anne.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Tundra Books

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book for babies and toddlers and perfect for introducing numbers. Straight-forward presentation is part of the appeal, but I really enjoyed the use of fabric and needle art to design the illustrations.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving all four books in the series to my niece for her birthday. This is my favorite book in the series because readers don't need to know the original story. It just follows Anne on a pretty day out in nature. I especially loved the end.

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute board book inspired by Anne of Green Gables. Check out Anne’s Colors as well!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne of Green Gables

[Shannon Nicole Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond charming!

[Aarvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice number book for kids.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

For: Anne of Green Gables fans; readers looking for a basic introductory book of numbers.

Possible red flags: not much connection to Anne of Green Gables specific things.

[Jessalyn Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun! The colors book in this same series is a stronger one though in my opinion.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a simple counting book. I love the illustrations.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this series! They remind me of the cloth books that my mom used to make for me.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are all full of beautiful art. Love the fabric and yarn look! Very soft, gives a cozy feeling.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic counting book inspired by Anne of Green Gables. Nothing special. The illustrations are multi-media and kind of cute though.