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
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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 (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry
  • #77 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Sleep

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

42 of 42 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.

15 of 15 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 So sweet a storybook October 13, 2008

By Armchair Interviews

Format:Hardcover

Nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes-and the babies they go with, of course.

Ten Little Finger and Ten Little Toes is a celebration of babies everywhere. City babies, country babies, sick babies, and well babies, all over the world. And the ten little fingers and ten little toes they all come with.

The pictures are adorable, the text is cute, and the book held the attention of my six-year-old (who loves babies) and my three-year-old equally well. Both of them wanted the book read over and over and liked looking at the pictures.

If you have a child or grandchild about one- to four-years-old, don't miss Ten Little Finger a It is sure to entertain little ones with both the text and the pictures on the 40 page hardcover book.

Armchair Interviews says: A real charmer.

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Mem and Helen, for coming out of retirement one last time! October 30, 2008

By Elisabeth

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Dear little babies with their characteristically busy little fingers and stubby little playdough toes delight the reader with their realism. Thank you, Helen Oxenbury! A singalong rhythm that is "easy to read to" encourages the listener to join in after a couple of repeats. Thank you, Mem Fox!

Although these two gifted women had "retired", this book, and the Baby World, is as fresh and light-hearted as these babies are. Focusing on the similarities rather than the differences, their message of peace is tenderly and subtly played. I can't wait to give this as a baby gift!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Baby Book Ever February 22, 2012

By Bishop Cat

Format:Board book

This was the first of Mem Fox's books that I purchased for my baby. The poem is charming and sweet a wonderful and welcome change from the inane text in so many baby books. The art work is delightful. Most importantly though baby LOVES this book. We read together several times and day every time we read he is impatient to get to this book and often wants me to read it at least twice. After reading it I put it aside with the other books we've read and he'll lean over out of my lap to try and grab this book. This was the first book that he clearly enjoyed and his favorite. Every baby should have this book.

We have the lap book version and I wish I had purchased Going to Bed in the same format. This version is neither to big nor to heavy. The larger size makes the pictures and the whole book more enjoyable.

While looking at other books by Mem Fox I noticed that this one had less than a five star rating. Upon reading the review that claims this book is to big for a 23 month old and that they may have to take their daughter to the ER because of immense weight of this book I couldn't let such nonsense sit there unrefuted to deter anyone from the best baby book in the perfect format. This book is about twice the width of the average baby book and little bit taller. It is thicker than most because of the padded cover, this extra thickness however is not heavy. This book does not ways about as much as two small board books. My son at 7 months old has no trouble turning pages, opening, or closing this book. At 7 months his hands are not yet big enough to hold this book on his own, though I don't doubt that he will be able to do so before 2 years of age.... He independently holds the typical small board books (remember this weighs about as much as 2 board books) as well as some toys that way slightly more without issue. While this might hurt a tad if dropped on delicate little toes simply being dropped would do nothing more than create a moment of slight discomfort, it is not heavy enough to cause any injury or any reasonable concern that one has occurred. Even if a child were to threw this book on the floor and hit their foot in the process they would not be hurt.

Ignore the hysterical and inaccurate review about the size, this is the perfect board book in a great size. You and your baby will be glad you did. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great choice for a baby shower November 2, 2008

By G. P. Brummett

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun to read with the new baby - older siblings get into the rhyme as well

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One Little Book that's an absolute Winner! January 5, 2010

By Shanshad VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

For me, Mem Fox's books are an uneven bunch. Some I love and some are just average or so-so. But I have to say that this one is a gem among them and one I'm happy to have come across. This simple book with rhyming text and Helen Oxenbury's charming illustrations of children accomplishes plenty with an ease and an elegance that is just a pleasure to read.

The text is repeated sets of rhyming couplets: "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 first two lines change to describe other babies, but the two concluding lines remain consistent. It reads smoothly and bouncily, with plenty of page given for each line of text. The last bit changes, when the narrator introduces her own baby. Not only does that baby have ten little fingers and ten little toes, but also "three little kisses on the tip of its nose!" What a lovely little finish! This is great fun to read with youngsters and babies, especially if you can give them three kisses just like the baby in the book.

But honestly, the rhyme on its own probably wouldn't have caught me if not for Helen Oxenbury's adorable illustrations. This veteran of children's illustration knows just the right touch to pair up with the text. There are very few illustrations with full backgrounds--most of the pictures focus on the baby characters. When there are occasional simple backgrounds or objects, these are mere props to the babies themselves. Oxenbury's multicultural cast of babies adds an extra dimension to the rhyme without being preachy or clumsy with the presentation. She also has our cast of babies growing up slowly through each couplet.... While the first has tiny babies that cannot crawl yet, by the end of the book, they are toddlers, walking and climbing and laughing delightedly as the narrator mother holds her own baby to give it three kisses. The simplicity of the images make it a good pick for a younger child, and the rhyming repetitive text are excellent for helping children predict what comes next.

I'll be buying this book for all my new moms this year!

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad Read more ›