Anno's Counting Book Big Book [Paperback]

Mitsumasa Anno (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Big Book

First there is an empty field. The it is January, the first month of the year. All alone in the snow stands 1 yellow house. In front, 1 child builds a snowman. Behind the house is 1 tree and 1 black cow. Now, five months later, it is June. There are 6 buildings in the field, 6 children playing, and 6 adults working. One adult tends 6 ducks. Another drives a trains with 6 cars. From 1 to 12, through the months of the year, the town grows. More houses and trees and animals and people can be seen until December arrives with all it's magic.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What kind of a counting book is this? On the first page all we see is a barren winter landscape--a hazy, blue sky above a hazy, white hill. Nothing to count here. But wait, this is zero! On the next page the scene brightens: one tree, one bird, one house. Turn the page again and the snow has started to melt--we find two buildings, two trucks, two trees, two children, two dogs, and two adults. Suddenly there is almost more than we can count on each page! The objects in the beautiful watercolor pictures correspond with each consecutive number, and in addition (so to speak), the number of items on the page increases exponentially.

Mitsumasa Anno, author and illustrator of the award-winning Anno's Journey, has crafted a lovely medium to help kids learn to count. His love for numbers is reflected in the symmetry of every page, as well as his respect for the mathematical relationships that occur all around us. What kind of a counting book is this? The graceful, intelligent, engaging kind. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"An excellent introduction to number systems and a beautiful wordless picture book as well. A counting book that's numero uno. -- -- School Library Journal

"One of the few truly intelligent counting books ever produced-and a work of art besides. -- -- The New York Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperFestival (September 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064433153
• ISBN-13: 978-0064433150
• Product Dimensions: 15 x 17 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gentle, artistic introduction to early mathematical concepts, October 19, 2001

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anno's Counting Book (Paperback)

Mitsumasa Anno creates graceful children's picture books that are more evocative than prose and more elegant than poetry. In this counting book, the author/illustrator allows the concepts of number, sets and arithmetic progression to unfold in pages, numbered one to twelve, that also correspond to the first through twelfth month.

Seasons evolve as a little town grows, children play, trees appear, animals pass through, and the clock marks the hours.

Like Anno's other books, this little gem can be enjoyed year after year as children (and adults) continue to find more complex concepts as their cognitive understanding matures.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly an excellent book!, December 12, 2001

By 

apoem "apoem" (Bosque Farms, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Anno's Counting Book (Paperback)

THis is a must have for young children. There is no text and only one number on each page. However, this book is a delight.

On page one exactly one of everything appears, on page two you two of more things and on page ten you see ten of many things. As the numbers grow higher the little town grows and the seasons change. THis enables you to discuss counting with your child as well as tell a story about the little town. You can also talk about seasons. What a wonderful multi use book. The illustrations are gentle and are not garish.

This is truly an excellent book. Well worth the money.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great counting book for children of all ages!, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Anno's Counting Book (Hardcover)

I was given Anno's counting book when I was just a baby,(naturally,I don't remember) and I apparently loved it so much that I literally wore the book out. I still enjoy browsing through it as a memoir and it brings back fond memories. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has recently had a baby or knows someone who has.