Count the Stars by Raewyn Caisley illustrated by Gabriel Evans

"At school, Maddie like science but mathematics was easily her favourite subject. Miss Tandy put a star on her work every day, sometime two. They looked like kisses."

This book beautifully demonstrated that maths is everywhere. In music, the brick paves dad is laying for the path, counting the canteen lunch money, cooking with mum, and of course in the stars. But one day Maddie realises something is missing in her life - a friend. 

I'm a huge fan of Gabriel Evans art. I have a Pinterest of picture books that explore maths concepts. There is a perfect amount of show don't tell in this book. When Maddie says there are lots of way to tell the time, if you look carefully, you will spy a sundial, a calendar, dad's watch and even an astrolobe.

After you read this book to your class it could be a good plan to focus on one double spread each week or fortnight. Children in my school library were always fascinated by my watch and my ideas about clocks. I like clocks without numbers - not digital clocks - clocks are usually a circle - yes you can work out the time by just looking at the hands. As a child we had a clock in my kitchen made by my dad - it had no numbers just a nail marker for 12, 6, 9 and 3. I even have a Pinterest of watches and clocks!

This could be a fairly dry book filled with maths concepts, but it is not - the addition of warm family scenes, interesting school lessons especially the one where they make paper snowflakes and most of all the making of a friend who also loves maths and the stars and who offers the promise of a happier future for young Maddie.

The end papers could be used as a poster in your classroom - there are twenty-four definitions of maths concepts to explore. 

Companion reads:

Stars and Poppy Seeds

Count on me

How to count to One