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One Golden Rule at School: A Counting Book
Award-winning creator Selina Alko's One Golden Rule at School is a charming story that's two books in one―a counting book and a school primer for little ones .
Young children experience a day of preschool, beginning with morning meeting, story time, and art projects, then on to outside play, puzzles, and snack and nap time, ending with a heartwarming golden rule.
Set against the familiar and dynamic backdrop of a daily school adventure, this vibrant counting book showcases a diverse and inclusive classroom of learners. The text counts from one to ten and back again while the back matter counts higher to twenty.
Christy Ottaviano Books
Young children experience a day of preschool, beginning with morning meeting, story time, and art projects, then on to outside play, puzzles, and snack and nap time, ending with a heartwarming golden rule.
Set against the familiar and dynamic backdrop of a daily school adventure, this vibrant counting book showcases a diverse and inclusive classroom of learners. The text counts from one to ten and back again while the back matter counts higher to twenty.
Christy Ottaviano Books
40 pages, Hardcover
Published June 16, 2020
About the author
Selina Alko
30 books35 followersIt is no wonder that award-winning writer-illustrator Selina Alko now spends her days melding words and mixed-media art to convey stories of hope and inspiration—as well as an alternative viewpoint. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia with a Turkish Jewish father who spoke seven languages and taught painting, and a Jewish mother who worked in the family’s century-old metal recycling business, she was surrounded by the melody of words and stories from different places and varied visual possibilities.
When Selina was in elementary school her entire family would attend her father’s painting class where they learned about 19th Century Impressionists and German Expressionists and were asked to chose paintings and copy them using acrylics. Not only was this a fascinating art history lesson, but it also taught her about the emotional use of color and instilled in her a deep appreciation for painting.
Aside from art, Selina’s childhood was also filled with books; Richard Scarry, Curious George, and anything by Judy Blume were a few of her favorites, and summers were spent at a Jewish sleep-away camp where her social activist spirit was ignited—as well as a love of folk music.
The skills her parents imparted to her as a child, the creative environment that supported them, and the diverse worldview she was privy to, have inspired and fueled her ever since and are evident in her many children's books. Some of her award-winning books include: The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, B is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, I is for Immigrants, and Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell.
“Write what is closest to your heart. What do you care about? What excites you? What makes you feel sad?” said Selina when asked what advice she would give to an aspiring writer.
Now as the mother of two children, Selina looks to carry on some of the traditions that encouraged her talents and worldview by holding “family art nights.” Her son loves to create detailed, realistic drawings of rap and hip-hop artists; her daughter is more free form and uses bold colors and broad brush strokes to create her works. It fills Selina with pride and wonderment as her kids learn to express themselves and cultivate a love of art.
Selina continues to find inspiration in the world around her, whether it’s the streets of Brooklyn, where she has lived for more than 20 years, her native Canada, or the small but universal experiences of a child as she watches her kids grow up.
When she’s not working on a new project, Selina enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, collaging in her sketchbook, and dance-walking in Prospect Park.
When Selina was in elementary school her entire family would attend her father’s painting class where they learned about 19th Century Impressionists and German Expressionists and were asked to chose paintings and copy them using acrylics. Not only was this a fascinating art history lesson, but it also taught her about the emotional use of color and instilled in her a deep appreciation for painting.
Aside from art, Selina’s childhood was also filled with books; Richard Scarry, Curious George, and anything by Judy Blume were a few of her favorites, and summers were spent at a Jewish sleep-away camp where her social activist spirit was ignited—as well as a love of folk music.
The skills her parents imparted to her as a child, the creative environment that supported them, and the diverse worldview she was privy to, have inspired and fueled her ever since and are evident in her many children's books. Some of her award-winning books include: The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, B is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, I is for Immigrants, and Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell.
“Write what is closest to your heart. What do you care about? What excites you? What makes you feel sad?” said Selina when asked what advice she would give to an aspiring writer.
Now as the mother of two children, Selina looks to carry on some of the traditions that encouraged her talents and worldview by holding “family art nights.” Her son loves to create detailed, realistic drawings of rap and hip-hop artists; her daughter is more free form and uses bold colors and broad brush strokes to create her works. It fills Selina with pride and wonderment as her kids learn to express themselves and cultivate a love of art.
Selina continues to find inspiration in the world around her, whether it’s the streets of Brooklyn, where she has lived for more than 20 years, her native Canada, or the small but universal experiences of a child as she watches her kids grow up.
When she’s not working on a new project, Selina enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, collaging in her sketchbook, and dance-walking in Prospect Park.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2020
This is a rhyming counting book that focusses on a day at school. The text counts upward from one to ten, with most pages reinforcing the number more than once, before counting back down again to one. The illustrations are collages and feature a diverse class of students.
I was a bit taken aback by the first page for "6". Parents who are sensitive about 9/11 might want to be aware that the page features a little girl in a hijab with a sign about a skyscraper... which another child is throwing paper airplanes at. This might be viewed as tone-deaf and distasteful by some.
Other than that, the meter is good and I don't have any complaints with the illustrations; they're fun to look at. The overall premise is fine and the text and pictures work well together as they show young children what a typical day at school might be like. I'm not sure that the "golden rule" part of it really works; it seems tacked on more than anything and doesn't really integrate with the text. But it's always a nice message to see in picture books, even if it isn't the focus like it should be.
I was a bit taken aback by the first page for "6". Parents who are sensitive about 9/11 might want to be aware that the page features a little girl in a hijab with a sign about a skyscraper... which another child is throwing paper airplanes at. This might be viewed as tone-deaf and distasteful by some.
Other than that, the meter is good and I don't have any complaints with the illustrations; they're fun to look at. The overall premise is fine and the text and pictures work well together as they show young children what a typical day at school might be like. I'm not sure that the "golden rule" part of it really works; it seems tacked on more than anything and doesn't really integrate with the text. But it's always a nice message to see in picture books, even if it isn't the focus like it should be.
September 18, 2020
Text is sparse but that’s ok because there is SO MUCH to talk about on every page. This is so much more than a counting book.
May 4, 2020
Reviewed for School Library Journal on 5/1/2020. Full review found there.
VERDICT: This is an optional purchase for counting book collections.
VERDICT: This is an optional purchase for counting book collections.
August 22, 2020
There are many wonderful books for the first day of grade school, but not nearly as many to use on the first day of preschool, PreK, or Kindergarten.
Ten young children experience a day at school with their two teachers. The diverse class experiences arrival, circle time, small group work, independent study, playtime, art, music, lining up, snack time, outdoor play, nap/quiet time, activity time, clean-up, and heading home.
Alko's story reads like a poem: using short lines and phrases as she counts up to ten, then back down to one - when the school day is done. Her artwork was created using acrylics, watercolors, salt, pencils, and collage on Strathmore illustration board. They are bright and joyful - the children are obviously enjoying their time here - full of life and activity. Each two-page spread focuses on one number, with many objects to count on each. Plenty of things are included to keep young readers talking about what they see and can count. The front endsheets count up to 10; the back ones count down to 1. Backmatter includes one two-page spread of counting from 11 to 20.
A great vocabulary-builder, on top of counting. This one will skew younger, as it has the inclusion of a naptime.
Recommended for PreSchool - K.
Ten young children experience a day at school with their two teachers. The diverse class experiences arrival, circle time, small group work, independent study, playtime, art, music, lining up, snack time, outdoor play, nap/quiet time, activity time, clean-up, and heading home.
Alko's story reads like a poem: using short lines and phrases as she counts up to ten, then back down to one - when the school day is done. Her artwork was created using acrylics, watercolors, salt, pencils, and collage on Strathmore illustration board. They are bright and joyful - the children are obviously enjoying their time here - full of life and activity. Each two-page spread focuses on one number, with many objects to count on each. Plenty of things are included to keep young readers talking about what they see and can count. The front endsheets count up to 10; the back ones count down to 1. Backmatter includes one two-page spread of counting from 11 to 20.
A great vocabulary-builder, on top of counting. This one will skew younger, as it has the inclusion of a naptime.
Recommended for PreSchool - K.
September 2, 2020
This a good back to school book, or for anytime during the school year. It counts up to ten and back down again through the school year. It shows diversity in a variety of ways. It spells out the numbers and shows the numerals: 1,2,3... At the back it also has a graph of the numbers from 11 to 20. The art incorporates collage that includes graph paper, tags, tickets and date due slips. It is a nice package.
September 4, 2020
A preschool and up counting book about a child's day at school and all the things that can be counted in ascending and then descending order as the day goes.
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September 21, 2020It's great to have a book not only with a kid in a wheelchair on the cover but also throughout the book.
August 24, 2024
A counting book based on activities at school. The underlying theme is the Golden Rule and nurturing each classmate.
January 12, 2021
There are many things to count at school, but only one rule; treat as others as you would want to be treated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews