Counting Book

[Abi]

Title: Mouse Count
Author: Ellen Stoll Walsh
Genre: Counting Book

Professional Recommendation #1:
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The protagonists of Walsh's Mouse Paint return, with a few companions, to bring another basic concept to life for toddlers: this time, the numbers from one to 10. ``Mouse Count!,'' a greedy snake proclaims, and gathers them up until he has filled his dinner jar to the brim. The clever mice distract the snake long enough to tip over the container and run home to safety. Although Walsh's simple cut-paper figures once again display a naive charm and exuberance, her new book may well prove frightening to little ones. The image of the snake carrying a hapless rodent by its tail--``First I will count them and then I will eat them up,''--is an unsettling one. Though the mice do escape, impressionable imaginations already will have been alarmed. Also, the concept of the fleeing rodents ``uncounting'' (reciting backward the numbers 10 to one) is doubtless beyond the reach of the intended audience. Ages 2-6. (Mar.)

Professional Recommendation #2:
Review by Booklist Review
Ages 2-5. A counting book with just a touch of scary suspense. Ten little mice play in the meadow and then fall asleep, unaware of the big, hungry snake nearby. The snake collects the sleeping creatures for his dinner jar, counting as he drops them in. But before he can eat them, a quick-witted mouse convinces him to go off in search of more. The mice rock over the jar, count themselves out of it, and run home. The words, few and easy, are set in large type against plenty of white space. Walsh's clean, open design and colorful pictures in paint and paper cut, are certainly attractive, and strongly similar to the collage work of Lionni. The simple story elements make for a nice variation on the usual counting lesson. ~--Leone McDermott


Summary:
Mouse Count tells a story about 10 mice that fell asleep, which resulted in a snake placing them all into a jar. As he does this, he counts to see how many he got. The snake gets greedy and wants more, so the mice tricked him into going out to look for more. As the snake left, the mice were able to escape the jar and be free. I would have to agree with these reviews, the illustrations are great and very colorful. I also like how simple the story is and the way it includes counting. But, with the first one I would also say that the plot does not go well with the intended audience. The way the snake eats the mice is slightly unsettling for children that age. This book is purposely written for teaching children about counting, and an interesting storyline to go along with it is a plus. The illustrations are suitable and the colors used catch the eye very easily. Although the story going along with it is interesting and suspenseful, some aspects of the plot are questionable for the intended age. This book was obviously designed for helping children count to ten forwards and backwards, so it would be easy and effective to have an interactive element with the book. The book also sends the message to not be greedy, so that could also spark interest in a moral lesson.