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TEN PUPPIES by Lynn Reiser

TEN PUPPIES

by Lynn Reiser & illustrated by Lynn Reiser

Pub Date: April 1st, 2003
ISBN: 0-06-008644-0
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

A kindly mother dog adopts ten puppies from the Puppy Rescue Center in this clever math-influenced tale from Reiser (The Lost Ball / La Pelota Perdita, 2002, etc.). Each puppy is a different breed (or mix), with many different shapes, sizes, and color combinations represented. Each spread divides the ten dogs into two subgroups by some distinction: color of tongue, shape of nose, type of ear, and so on. (“EIGHT had pointed noses. TWO had flat noses.”) The corresponding numeral is printed in a bright, contrasting shade next to the primary-hued watercolor illustration that focuses on the characteristic under discussion. Math-minded adults will swiftly see the pattern of different combinations that add up to ten, but to kindergarteners and first-graders just beginning to explore addition, this representational rendering of all the possible combinations will be a novel and welcome way to combat hypothetical story problems. This story can also be used effectively with preschoolers who are learning about counting and classification, as well as the correlation between written number words and numerals. First-grade classroom teachers especially will welcome Reiser’s perky puppies, who convey a basic addition lesson with aplomb. (Picture book. 4-7)