Counting Critters: Celebrate! Number Sense

by Sophia Day, Megan Johnson, Stephanie Strouse (Illustrator)

Count and make number sentences with the critters that the MVP Kids discover. Children will search for critters in their habitats, practice counting, recognize number sight words, and develop part-part-whole reasoning. Come along and develop a respect for nature while having fun with hands-on math. This book showcases diversity in positive ways with characters that span various cultures, ethnicities, family situations, physical challenges and more. Readers of all backgrounds will see themselves in these pages while learning to value the diversity within their own community and being exposed to differences from around the world. About the Celebrate! Paperback series Celebrate everyday moments of childhood with MVP Kids paperbacks books for children ages 4-8. Sophia Day interacts with children through memorable verse and inviting illustrations. Topics include appreciating diversity, building self-esteem, learning wisdom from grandparents to learning number sense. Young children follow the MVP Kids as they learn important life lessons. Helpful Teaching Tips sections are included in each book to equip and guide you toward a deeper understanding of each subject. Join the MVP Kids and celebrate growing up! About MVP Kids Families with a diverse range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds drive the inspiration for child education and social emotional learning. MVP Kids enables real-world kids to address the challenges in their lives through story-based character lessons where the kids interact at school, in social situations, and in their communities. MVP Kids board books enrich preschool readers while hardcovers and paperbacks focus on school-aged children. Each MVP Kids book includes extensive coaching information for parents and educators that promotes character education, wise decision-making skills, and social and emotional learning.

32 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mix those wiggly, squiggly, crawly insects with counting, and out comes a little basic math rolled into searching fun.

Outside, especially this time of year, insects and bugs are everywhere. Under rocks...on the plants...all it takes is a peek, and some creepy, crawly can be discovered. Mix in a little counting and some searching, and out comes basic math. This entire concept is rolled within a bit of rhyme on each page and a small illustration of the mathematical formula in the lower part of some corners.

This book was more fun than I thought it'd be. While the main theme is number sense, it starts off with something which entice kids or make them screech and shiver—insects and creepy crawlies. These characters head out into the backyard and search for whatever bugs they can find. The mention of numbers does come right away, allowing listeners to get wrapped up in the bug discovery first. Listeners will easily relate, and probably be itching themselves to get out and do their own searches.

Then, comes the counting, but it stays wrapped up in the bug hung. Not only that, but the bugs tend to scamper a bit and a tiny bit of searching is sometimes required. The counting is easy and never comes across as rigid or teaching. On several pages, the problem-solving is written out for listeners to get a glimpse of what the math looks like. And while this is there and very useful, it also is not the center point. In other words, school-critical listeners won't be overly terrified since this is more as a glaze than a hard teaching presentation.

It's a fun way to introduce numbers and some first, basic math problems while building in an aspect kids can relate to and will want to run outside and try themselves.

I received a complimentary copy and found it a wonderful way to mix fun and math. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.