Teeth, Tails & Tentacles – An Animal Counting Book

• Author / Illustrator: Christopher Wormell
• Concept
• Grade Range/Level Recommendation: young readers (3 – 9 yrs.)

New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards

Summary: This book has 2 parts. The first is presents the numbers 1 to 20. The facing page has the numeral, number word and simple description of the animal being counted. Then you have the full page illustration. After 20 we head back to 1 with a humpback whale. The second section has factual information about each animal illustrated.

Themes: concept

Questions:

1. How many is—-? (have children hold up fingers to represent number named)
2. Name some animals you know and tell us something about them.

Extension Activities:

1. Copy both of the last pages. Cut up to make matching cards for a homemade number matching game. Laminate for strength.
2. Find items in your space that have a different number of parts, photograph, print out and make your own book.

Comment: Brief paragraphs on each creature. Illustrations are wood engravings – large and colorful. Opening for further exploration of animals than just that detailed. Some less common animals depicted.

Library Loan/ PB