Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes [Hardcover]

Mem Fox (Author), Helen Oxenbury (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008 | Age Range: 2 - 6 years

As everyone knows, nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes. . . . And here, from two of the most gifted picture-book creators of our time, is a celebration of baby fingers, baby toes, and the joy they—and the babies they belong to—bring to everyone, everywhere, all over the world!

          This is a gorgeously simple picture book for very young children, and once you finish the rhythmic, rhyming text, all you’ll want to do is go back to the beginning . . . and read it again! The luminous watercolor illustrations of these roly-poly little ones from a variety of backgrounds are adorable, quirky, and true to life, right down to the wrinkles, dimples, and pudges in their completely squishable arms, legs, and tummies.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreS—"There was one little baby/who was born far away./And another who was born/on the very next day./And both of these babies,/as everyone knows,/had ten little fingers/and ten little toes." So opens this nearly perfect picture book. Fox's simple text lists a variety of pairs of babies, all with the refrain listing the requisite number of digits, and finally ending with the narrator's baby, who is "truly divine" and has fingers, toes, "and three little kisses/on the tip of its nose." Oxenbury's signature multicultural babies people the pages, gathering together and increasing by twos as each pair is introduced. They are distinctive in dress and personality and appear on primarily white backgrounds. The single misstep appears in the picture of the baby who was "born on the ice." The child, who looks to be from Northern Asia or perhaps an Inuit, stands next to a penguin. However, this minor jarring placement does not detract enough from the otherwise ideal marriage of text and artwork to prevent the book from being a first purchase. Whether shared one-on-one or in storytimes, where the large trim size and big, clear images will carry perfectly, this selection is sure to be a hit.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* A standout for its beautiful simplicity, this picture-book collaboration between Fox and Oxenbury aims a message of diversity and tolerance at very young children. The first lines set up the text’s repetition and rhythm: “There was one little baby who was born far away. And another who was born on the very next day. And both of these babies, as everyone knows, had ten little fingers and ten little toes.” The subsequent spreads follow the same theme in similarly bouncing, rhyming lines: babies around the world may be different (one baby is born near ice, another in a desert tent), but the refrain of each baby’s 10 fingers and toes reminds us of what we all share. Oxenbury’s spare pencil-and-watercolor pictures, set against pure white pages, zero in on pudgy little hands and feet, offering many interactive opportunities for young viewers to point and count. Clusters of adorable multicultural babies from around the world toddle across the pages until just one child receives three kisses on the nose from her loving mom, a sweet gesture that parents will want to act out with their own children. A gentle, joyous offering. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Gillian Engberg

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 6 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; First Edition edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015206057X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152060572
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 11 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This one should get 6 stars! October 12, 2008

By Annette Towner

Format:Hardcover

As an early childhood professional, I am always looking for new books to share with children, their parents & teachers. When I saw this one reviewed in the National Association for the Education of Young Children's magazine, I immediately ordered several copies. I have already used them for teacher training & as baby shower, welcome-to-world new baby & now-you-are-grandparents gifts.

The book includes all of the elements of appropriate books for young children. The story/text is simple and incorporates rhyme, repetition & interesting vocabulary. The illustrations are soft yet colorful & clear, subtly addressing similarities & differences.

The book provides opportunities to initiate discussions about numbers by counting the fingers, toes & babies. It also addresses social/emotional aspects of development by illustrating empathy & caring interpreted through the faces & actions of the characters.

I have yet to see anyone look at this book & not melt into the long "awe" we often hear when looking at something that truly touches our hearts.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely perfect! September 23, 2008

By Shannon B. Lipan

Format:Hardcover

Mem Fox has done it again!! I can't wait to share this story with my 1 year old daughter so please publish it in a board book edition! I love the message that we're all so alike as babies despite where we live or what color our skin is. It is so relevant to babies as I am always kissing my babies toes and fingers. Helen Oxenbury has produced beautiful illustrations that are pivotal to the language! Can't wait for the board book!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Darling Book October 6, 2008

By A. Cushman

Format:Hardcover

This is one of the sweetest books I have ever read. It is a perfect bedtime story. It would also make a special baby shower gift.