Count on Pablo

January 1, 2000
K-Gr 2-In Collection, Kate is concerned about what to take to school during "collection week." She anxiously watches and counts the mounting number of magnets, shells, postcards, and toy pigs displayed by her classmates, certain that her assemblage will pale in comparison to theirs. Finally, she takes her clever offering-a collection of collections-a few frogs, a few shells, a few postcards, etc. In Count on Pablo, the boy helps his abuela pick, wash, and count out garden produce to take to market. He counts the limes one by one, the onions by twos, the peppers by fives, and the tomatoes by tens. When no one buys anything, Pablo suggests that they make salsa, which then attracts many customers. Both books have colorful, realistic drawings that clearly show what is being counted or grouped. While the math is an integral part of the stories, it doesn't overpower them. The back covers suggest related activities. Welcome additions to beginning-reader collections.-Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

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