Splitting the Herd: A Corral of Odds and Evens [Hardcover]

Trudy Harris (Author), Russell Julian (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Miss Emma's cows just can't stay put! Each time they wander into Cowboy Kirby's yard, he uses odd and even numbers to count the herd. Then he sends all the evens back to Emma and keeps the odds for himself. Kirby doesn't notice that his herd keeps getting smaller while Emma's grows larger. Emma doesn't want to hurt her friend's feelings by explaining his math mistake. How will she solve their problem with odds and evens? Count on Emma for coming up with a surprise ending!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–2—This muddled rhyming tale aims to help children understand the concept of skip-counting. Miss Emma and Cowboy Kirby each have a herd of cows that fences can't keep apart. In an effort to split the herds and keep them on their respective sides, Cowboy Kirby, using skip-counting (1-3-5; 2-4-6), assigns the even-numbered cows to Emma and takes the odd-numbered cows for himself. As the cows continue their escapes, the two ranchers, trying to figure out the math and cows, meet and begin spending time together. Finally, with evens and odds completely mixed up, the two decide to marry and bring the herds together. While the cartoon art, cute cows, and subplot of the two neighbors finding love are endearing, the math story line (even with the author's note at the end) will be confusing for kids and parents alike.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI
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About the Author

Trudy Harris is the author of several successful math concept books, among them Pattern Fish, Pattern Bugs, 20 Hungry Piggies, and Jenny Found a Penny. She currently teaches kindergarten in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she lives with her husband.

Russell Julian studied illustration at Anglia University in Cambridge, England. Russell has illustrated several board books and picture books. He lives in North London.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 31 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Pr Trade (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822574667
• ISBN-13: 978-0822574668
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 11 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Trudy Harris loves teaching children in her kindergarten class in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She also loves to teach and entertain children through her books. She writes the kind of books that she knows teachers want to use in the classroom and the kind of books that she wants to read to her own grandchildren.

Children's books are an important part of Harris family fun. Trudy's husband, Jay M. Harris, is a children's book author. Her son, Andrew N. Harris, has illustrated numerous picture books. Her daughter, Holly Worthington, is also a writer.

In 2010, look for Wow, It's a Cow! by Trudy Harris and Jay M. Harris, published by Cartwheel Books. Also, in 2010, read Tally Cat Keeps Track, written by Trudy Harris and illustrated by Andrew N. Harris, published by Millbrook Press.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, August 29, 2008

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Splitting the Herd: A Corral of Odds and Evens (Hardcover)

Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset

I absolutely adored the storyline in this cute picture book! Part of Millbrook Press' MATH IS FUN series, this book teaches ages 5-8 all about odd/even numbers in a fun way. Miss Emma's cows like to visit Cowboy Kirby's yard. Since all cows look alike, he suggests to Emma that they line up all the cows in a row. He counts them and gives Emma the even-numbered cows and he takes the odd-numbered cows. As the story progresses, the reader will see the math mistake Kirby makes as the cows go back and forth and his herd grows smaller. There's a fun "second" story going on here in addition to the math lesson. You'll just have to read this book to discover the fun ending. I give this book a high five for the clever storyline and rhyming text author Trudy Harris does to perfection plus the adorable illustrations created by Russell Julian.

5.0 out of 5 stars Splitting the Herd, March 14, 2011

By 

rb123 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Splitting the Herd: A Corral of Odds and Evens (Hardcover)

My 5 year old son loves this book! We borrowed it from the bookmobile and he was so sad when we returned it that we had to buy one. He is in preschool now and already knows about odd and even numbers. It has made math fun and he adds and subtracts the cows for me too. It is a must-have for your preschool/ kindergartner's library.

5.0 out of 5 stars A rollicking read about the cunning cows of Cowboy Kirby and Miss Emma, January 21, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Splitting the Herd: A Corral of Odds and Evens (Hardcover)

"Splitting the Herd: A Corral of Odds and Evens" is a rollicking read about the cunning cows of Cowboy Kirby and Miss Emma, two hapless ranchers whose cattle herds seem determined to mingle and confuse their owners. Settling the differences by counting odds and evens, dividing by two, and eating a piece of cake together to further discuss the idea seems the best solution to the fence-eluding cows. Humorous, whimsical illustrations of sneaky cows moving back and forth in the moonlight provide lots of extra giggles. In the end, "Splitting the Herd" provides the perfect solution to a comical number problem, with lots of entertainment on the way. "Splitting the Herd" is well aimed for elementary ages.