Zero Zebras by Bruce Goldstone illustrated by Julien Chung

Subtitle: A counting book about what's not there

Zero is such an abstract concept for all of us but especially for very young children. This book is such fun. On each page there are things to count in a sequence of one to twelve but you are also invited to notice there are zero zebras on every page. 

Think about the choices of things to count: One wallaby; two tuna; three thrushes; four frogs; five foxes and so on with spiders, seals, elephants, newts, tigers; llamas and turtles BUT of course there are zero zebras. Simple alliteration gives this book a lighthearted-feel and your youngest students are sure to keep hunting for those elusive zebras. 

The back of this book has a wonderful explanation by the author written for adult readers:

"Zero is a big nothing. Do you skip past zero when you start to count? Almost everybody does: 1, 2, 3, and more but zero is always there first. ... Think about an empty box. What isn't inside? There are no shoes and no shirts. No books and no pencils."

A counting book cleverly designed to raise awareness about nothing. Kirkus Star review

Montreal artist Julien Chung’s brightly coloured digital illustrations have a bold, eye-catching graphic design. Eagle-eyed counters will spot the numerals 1 through 12 blending into the background scenes. For example, the numeral 3 floats like a cloud in the sky; the numeral 7 is caught in a spider’s web; and the tricky-to-find numeral 8 appears in a spotlight’s glow. There are many subtle connections between the scenes. Animals featured on one page can be found making a cameo appearance in the following spread. There are no zebras to be found in the scenes, but there are lots of stripes, from the angular blades of grass, to the black and white design swim trunks on a jumping frog. Candian Review of Materials

Montreal artist Julien Chung’s brightly coloured digital illustrations have a bold, eye-catching graphic design. Eagle-eyed counters will spot the numerals 1 through 12 blending into the background scenes. For example, the numeral 3 floats like a cloud in the sky; the numeral 7 is caught in a spider’s web; and the tricky-to-find numeral 8 appears in a spotlight’s glow. There are many subtle connections between the scenes. Animals featured on one page can be found making a cameo appearance in the following spread. There are no zebras to be found in the scenes, but there are lots of stripes, from the angular blades of grass, to the black and white design swim trunks on a jumping frog.

Publisher blurb: Discover the importance of counting what’s there and what’s not there in this brilliant picture book that combines math, imagination, and creativity! Zero Zebras asks a bold question: can you count what isn’t there? Can you count — to zero? Bruce Goldstone takes us on a wild animal safari counting one wallaby, two tuna, three thrushes, four frogs — but absolutely ZERO zebras. Readers will realize the infinite possibilities of counting what is and isn’t on the page. Goldstone’s imaginative and creative text is brought to life by Chung’s vibrant illustrations which include hidden numbers beautifully integrated into each stunning scene for fun some hide-and-seek. This is the perfect introduction to the concept of zero and infinity, showcasing the profound wonder of numbers in a playful, dazzling picture book that will wow readers of every age!

The library where I volunteer and borrow books carefully record the price of each book they purchase on one side of the imprint page. They record date of purchase, supplier and cost. I always like to look at this to see how long a book has been in their collection and also to see what they paid. The Teacher-Librarian must have really wanted this book because she paid an eye-watering AUS$50. I have found this book with some Australian online booksellers for less than AUS$35.

Zero Zebras won the Mathical Book Award in 2023.  If you are looking to add some exemplary picture books and other books that explore maths concepts these lists should be your first source.

Mathical selects, promotes, and distributes math-inspiring fiction and nonfiction for children ages 2-18. Proposed titles are submitted annually by publishers and the public. Many hands help select the books, including language arts and math teachers, librarians, early childhood experts, and more.

If you share this book with a group of older students they could use the format as a writing model and write their own picture book to share with children in Kindergarten or at a local preschool. 

You can see other books by Bruce Goldstone here. I previously talked about this book illustrated by Canadian illustrator Julien Chung. He lives in Montreal:

365 How to Count a Year

How many seeds in a pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara illustrated by G Brian Karas

Charlie is the smallest kid in his class. He is always put at the end of the class line because the children are sorted by size. This hurt my heart - I was the smallest kid in my class. Luckily Charlie has a very wise teacher. It is Halloween and Mr Tiffin brings three pumpkins into the classroom. Over several days he asks the class to think about how many seeds each pumpkin might contain. The children guess with all sorts of wild answers and of course they are sure the biggest pumpkin has the most seeds. Then Mr Tiffin cuts a circle in the top of each pumpkin and the kids scoop out the seeds. Overnight Mr Tiffin dries the seeds and the next day the counting begins.

Mr Tiffin is such a skilled teacher the children have no idea he has turned this into a maths lesson. How will they count all those seeds? By twos or groups of five or perhaps groups of ten! I am sure every kid is still convinced the biggest pumpkin will 'win' but of course they are in for a surprise.

That is not the end of this lesson, though. The smallest pumpkin has the most seeds and that was the one counted by Charlie's group. Mr Tiffin knows it is also time to change the way the class line up - now it can be smallest to tallest - I love the smile on Charlie's face.

"Size alone is not the most important thing." Here is the illustration from the beginning of the book.

Bookseller blurb: Mr. Tiffin and his students explore skip counting and estimation in a fun pumpkin-themed classroom experiment! This book makes a wonderful read-aloud companion to any math or science curriculum, and it's a fun way to reinforce counting skills at home. "How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. Counting pumpkin seeds is messy business, but once the slimy job is done, to everyone's surprise, the smallest pumpkin has the most seeds! As Charlie happily exclaims, "Small things have a lot going on inside of them."

In some ways I feel bad sharing books here on my blog that are out of print but on the other hand I do hope they might inspire you to check out your school or local public library. How many seeds in a pumpkin was published in 2007 and so I was surprised to discover it is still available to buy but it is very very, expensive here in Australia. It is a book that is worth hunting out either for Halloween when you might be thinking about pumpkins or just as a terrific book to promote a conversation about maths or more importantly acceptance of difference so check out your library.

You can see a video of the book here.

I picked up this book from a pumpkin library display because I do love art by G Brian Karas. If you also want to talk about the idea of the different ways a class might line up for class, try to find the old Australian junior novel - First at Last by Julia McClelland illustrated by Ann James. 

There are three books in the series by Margaret McNamara and G Brian Karas featuring the wonderful teacher Mr Tiffin:

365 How to Count a Year by Miranda Paul illustrated by Julien Chung

The front end paper shows all the numbers from one up to 365. The back end papers are filled with confetti! I think this means - we do not need to constrain our lives with numbers but they sure can be fun.

Yes, it does take 365 days for Earth to spin around the sun but it might easier to think of this as 365 "good mornings" and 365 "good nights" oh and "hopefully 365 clean pairs of underwear."

I love the tone of this counting book.

There are 52 weeks in the year but surely it is better to think of this as "52 Friday night movie popcorn spills."  There are 12 months in the year or "12 bulletin board ideas in Mr Winner's classroom." 

Of course, in one year we only have one birthday cake, one birthday wish, one birthday party. Be patient the next one is only 8,760 hours away. 

A bright, buoyant look at measurements, conventional and otherwise. Kirkus

This is a perfect book to add to your preschool collection or library. Hopefully you might also find it in your local school or public library so you can borrow this book to share with your own young reading companion. 

You can see other books by Miranda Paul here. I previously talked about this one:

Peace

There are so many brilliant counting books we can share with our youngest children. In your library go to [510] or for this book about the days in the year go to [529]:

One Fox

How to count to One

Lifetime

I am very keen to see this book illustrated by Julien Chung:

Read the Kirkus review

Right as Rain by Lindsey Stoddard

"That day, with my nails still full of dirt I swore to myself I'd never bury anything that deep again. But that was ten years ago, when my parents laughed and talked to each other in normal tones. 

When we were a family of four. Before that night."

Change is hard. Don't be sorry.

Be something great while you are still so young.

Counting is what I do when I want to erase my brain ...

The events of 'that night' are presented in this story as alternate and flashback chapters. As a reader you gradually work out something truly terrible has happened 350 days ago and now the family are moving from Vermont to New York City where mum has a new job. Every mention of Rain's brother Guthrie is in the past tense. His room has been shut tight for 350 days. Dad has retreated to the bedroom. 

"His hair is sticking up on one side, his beard is grayer and scruffier and longer than I've ever seen it, and his flannel shirt is off by a button."

Rain has to leave behind her home, her room and her very best friend. She may also have lost the chance to compete as a runner and she is so fast she could have been the winner. 

"One in four. That's the same odds as marriages that survive the death of a child."

Their new home is a tiny apartment and right from the start Rain knows someone else lived there - a girl who was Frankie's best friend. How can there possibly be a way Rain and Frankie can ever be friends. And the new school is huge and loud and:

"Students need to complete twenty-five hours of community service before June eighteenth to be promoted to seventh grade."

The teacher does reduce the requirement to ten hours but this still means Rain has only eighteen days to complete this assignment. Luckily, she does make friends with Frankie and also with a quiet, but very kind girl in her class, named Amelia. Rain and her mum volunteer to make lunches at a local church and this gives Rain a first-hand experience of homelessness. And there is a wonderful neighborhood center near their homes and the three girls go there as volunteers. The owner Ms Dacie is a very special lady who provides safety and kindness for everyone, but her lease is about to expire and there is no money to keep her center open.   

Ms Dacie's place has a large overgrown garden off to the side. Before everything changed Rain's dad was a very keen and very successful gardener. Rain puts these ideas together and she comes up with a wonderful way to involve the community, help her dad (and Mum) and save Ms Dacie's safe space. Meanwhile the class teacher has set a poetry assignment (which made me link this book to Ode to a Nobody). And of course Frankie, Rain and Amelia are competing in the relay at the track meet against kids in Grade eight - the are only in Grade six. 

Right as Rain has very heavy themes but it is all told with a lightness of touch and small moments of sweet humour such as when Rain uses forbidden words (damn, shut-up, and stupid) and when she eats wonderful new Mexican foods in her neighborhood and drinks the world's most delicious hot chocolate. There are also truly special moments of kindness in this story and also emotional intelligence. 

You might also like to read or reread The One and Only Ivan; Bridge to Terabithia and The Crossover (Kwame Alexander) before dipping into Right As Rain as these are the library books that Rain is reading through her first weeks at this new school. 

Poem 4

363 days gone

1 Christmas

4 gardening seasons

3 report cards

55 ski runs

51 Friday family dinners

3 pairs of worn-out sneakers that have run through, run away, run to erase

the length of 130,680 songs that I've counted in my head,

wondering,

if maybe you could just still be there, at the concert

listening.

The number of our memories together between now and the dirt is 

a big who-knows.

But I won't let those sneak off and out.

And if they try, I promise. Promise. I'll say no stay. 

We Are One by Susan Hood illustrated by Linda Yan

 

Is this a counting book? Not quite. Is this a book about the application of numbers in real life? YES. Is this a quirky book filled with obscure and curious facts about numbers? YES. Is this a book to share with a young child? YES but it is also one you could read to much older children too. So, I suggest you add this fabulous book to your library shopping list today. 

"One can be one thing all on its own - one star, one stream, one stick, one stone. But those on their toes, those using their smarts, know one can be more than the sum of its parts."

Fact - The idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts comes from Aristotle. 

Well, that's got you thinking about one but what about two. A sandwich needs two slices of bread and a marriage is between two people. 

Fact - the first recorded sandwich was created in the first century BCE.

Now think about the number three. What would you have put on that page? I am certain you will never guess what Susan Hood has used for this number - a Haiku poem has three lines and the word 'you' has three letters. 

Fact - many stories and poems follow the rule of three - Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats and so on. I loved reading the words omen trium perfectum in Latin - trios equal perfection. 

And so this book continues with a double spread for each number right up to ten. The pages are split with a reference to the number at the top of each page - a reference younger children will understand - and a fact section in a much smaller font at the bottom of each page which curious children and adult are sure to enjoy. 

At the back of the book there is a wealth of material to explore. A source list for each number, a list of kids websites, and generous lists of other things relating to each number from ten back to one. 

Before reading this book you could brainstorm with your class all the things you can think of to match each number from one to ten. Then read the book. Then compare your lists with the ones in the book and those provided at the back. Here is the list for my favourite number - three:

Three

• primary colours and three secondary colours
• snowballs on a classic snowman
• teaspoons in a tablespoon
• hands on a clock
• legs on an easel
• three Musketeers
• wheels on a tricycle
• wishes in a genie's lamp
• meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner
• kids in a set of triplets
• members of musical trio
• sides of a triangle

We Are One is another amazing book discovery. This book is why I blog books from everywhere - not just here in Australia. I have said this before, but we are so lucky to have access to books from other English speaking countries and of course also access to fabulous, translated books too. We Are One is from the USA published by Candlewick (they always do fabulous books - in the UK and here they are called Walker Books). The author is from Connecticut and the illustrator is from Canada. The library where I spied this book bought it from a city bookstore here in Sydney, Australia.

Immensely satisfying for young lovers of numbers and fascinating for everyone. Kirkus Star review

Counting books become rote after a while. Expected. You begin to yearn to see how someone might shake ‘em up a little. Now what’s so interesting about the latest from Hood & Yan is a very early statement in the text that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” That little nubbin of philosophy drives the rest of the book, and you can practically see little minds expanding as it does. Betsy Bird Fuse8 31 lists in 31 Days, 2021 Math Books

Math meets philosophy, as Hood views numbers, specifically groups of one to ten, through a unique and ­thought-provoking lens: the Aristotelian concept that the whole can be greater — more useful, more remarkable, more valuable — than its ­individual components. … Textured and whimsical, Yan’s digital illustrations feature a young girl dressed as a golden-yellow star who, ultimately, is joined by a diverse “constellation” of other star-children to celebrate the oneness of humanity. Horn Book

If I could recommend one picture book from 2021 to give as a gift, it would be this one. It manages to be both educational and whimsical, beautiful in its writing, illustrations, and concept, with plenty of extras to surprise and delight throughout. Loved it from start to finish.  Cloud Lake Literary Canada

Here is my Maths through Picture Books Pinterest collection. 

Here are the books I have mentioned on this blog by Susan Hood:

Alias Anna

Ada's Violin

The Tooth Mouse

Who Lives Here by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

 

It is always fun when someone invites you to visit but what would you do if they only told you the street name and not the exact address.

"The houses in South Street all stood in a row. But which how was Dan's house? I just didn't know."

So, the child ventures along the street, with their parent standing by, investigating each house. Number one - no, Number two - no, Number three - no, Number four - no. Does Dan live at Number Five?

Look at the team who have produced this book - Julia Donaldson master storyteller and wrangler of perfect rhyming texts and Rebecca Cobb who does nostalgic, sweet, detailed illustrations and draws the faces of children with so much emotion. Bonus - this book has lift the flap pages, fold out pages and it is made from sturdy paper so it can survive young hands who will read and re-read this treasure.

Julia Donaldson has created another original and entertaining read in rhyming verse and regular rhythm for reading aloud. It has the element of surprise that children love as they lift the flaps or try to guess what could be hiding there. Kids' Book Review

A gently reassuring jaunt, great for those starting school and making new friends, it suggests Donaldson’s knack for catchy rhymes and deeply resonant themes shows no signs of waning. Long may she reign over bedtime. The Guardian

Do you need a Christmas gift for a young child (aged 3+) - go out and grab this book - it is perfect. Take a look at my recent post about Julia Donaldson. 

Very sadly one of our excellent independent bookstores here in Sydney, Australia is set to close before the end of this year. This means all of their stock is now on sale. I have had Who Lives Here on my book wish list for the last few months. Hardcover picture books have become quite expensive but this one was only AUS$28 less my 20% discount. I now have to decide if I will gift this book or keep in on my own shelves.

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a Pinterest of picture books that features houses and homes. Companion books:

Squeak Street (See the full original series here).

It could also be fun to include this book if you are working on a theme of Happy Birthday stories. You could talk about all the details that need to be included on a party invitation. 

The Birthday Invitation

A Million Dots by Sven Völker

Yes, this book does contain a million dots - actually the final page has 1,048,576 dots. 

If you have a shelf of maths concept books in your library this is one more title you will want to add. This book could be a great way to share the idea of doubling numbers and ways to represent huge numbers too. It is easy to see the German illustrator Sven Völker is a graphic designer. 

Take a look here to see some terrific ideas for using this book with all ages of children. You can see inside this book here. Here is a video of Sven talking about his book winning the New York Times New York Public Library ten best Illustrated Books. 

I have a Pinterest of Maths concepts through Picture Books. 

You could also look for:

And just for fun you could compare A Million Dots with this book:

How to Count to One

Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

There is a such a warm tone to this story which is narrated by fox (Frank).  Frank and Bert (he is a bear) love to play hide and seek but Bear is so huge and time is so short when Frank counts to ten that Bear is always found. Just once Bear would love to win so Frank agrees to count to 100. Unfortunately a strand from Bear's scarf is snagged on a tree and so it is very easy for Frank to follow the thread and find his friend.

Now comes the most wonderful page in this book - this is the page where I suggest you could stop and ask your young reading companions to share their advice - what should fox do?

With a humorous little twist at the end that works really well, this is a good book for looking at issues around other peoples feelings and what it means to be a friend.  Reading Zone

Frank and Bert is a beautiful book that shows the importance of thinking outside of ourselves and dealing with the tricky subject of winning. It really highlights the importance of good sportsmanship, and how to be a great friend. Kids' Book Review

Take a look inside this book on the Nosy Crow web page. In this post Chris Naylor-Ballesteros talks about his work on this book and the changes he made to the story and illustrations as the story was being developed. 

You will already know that I adored a previous book by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros:

The Suitcase

Happy Hippo by Charles Santoso

Hippo is granted nine wishes.  He has a serious identity issue. He worries that is very plain so he uses each wish to add the most preposterous embellishments to his appearance.

From Turtle he adds a shell; Lion has a beautiful mane; Giraffe has a lovely, long neck. Now add an elephant trunk.  Are you picturing Hippo?  Then he meets four more animals - a very diverse bunch. There is a crocodile, a hare, a kangaroo and an ibis. This leads to real trouble:

"My shell, mane, trunk, ears, legs, antlers and tail are nothing but trouble,' moaned Hippo. I don't want them anymore!"

Hold on go back and count the wishes. Hippo has one wish left. Be careful what you wish for ...

This is a funny book which is sure to give your preschool reading companion a good laugh which will last right to the twist on the last page. With a group in a preschool you could use this book as a springboard to talk about wishes, animal attributes, and perhaps even investigate why some animals have special features - Why does an elephant have a trunk? Why does a turtle need a shell?  Hippo things he is so plain but is he really?  Investigate all the special things about hippos.  Here is a Pinterest collection of picture books featuring hippos.

Charles Santoso lives in Sydney. Late in 2020 Kinokuniya hosted an exhibition of the art from Happy Hippo. Here are some of his cover designs and one picture book:

Wishtree

A boy called Bat

Quicksand Pond

Ida Always

Stars and Poppy Seeds by Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lisiv

You never fail until you stop trying - Albert Einstein

Flora loves to count perhaps because her parents are mathematicians and she has probably been exposed to numbers all through her childhood.

"While other children counted sheep to fall asleep, Flora counted all the animals of the world. She even counted sea cows, elephants and platypuses"

Platypuses!  This book was originally written in Russian by Ukrainian husband and wife Andriy Lisiv and Romana Romanyshyn. I love that they have included our platypus. I find this delightful and amazing. Here is the word platypus in Russian script:  утконос

I am collecting Picture books translated into English. I am guessing this beautiful book came to the attention of Tate Publishing because the work of Romana and Andriy has received special mentions at the Bologna Ragazzi awards several times. Stars and Poppy Seeds was first published in 2014 with the English language edition produced in 2019 with a translation by Oksana Lushchevska. In this post for Seven Impossible Things Oksana talks about five very special Ukrainian picture books and her passion for sharing these with the world.

Begin with the end papers which are different forms of grid or graph paper. Flora counts ants, buttons and button holes, Polka dots and pearls. Flora tries to count the stars in the night sky. She devises complex mathematical formulas but this seems to be an impossible task. Her parents encourage. "Every task, even the most complicated, begins the same way with one step. If you take small steps, you can achieve even your biggest dreams."

The final pages contain figures relating to the universe:

• As of June 2018, 561 people have gone to space but only twelve have walked on the moon.
• There are 9,096 stars visible to the naked eye in the night sky.
• You could fit in million earths into the sun!

On the next page you can read about some famous mathematicians - Pythagoras; Sir Isaac Newton; Ada Lovelace; Albert Einstein; Katherine Johnson and Stephen Hawking.

The last spread has a list of museums from around the world which celebrate mathematics including our Sydney Observatory.

The whole book is a glorious celebration of the wonders of numbers; the enormity of the universe; and the determination of a young girl to satisfy her curiosity. Book design and art students are sure to love exploring the art used in this book which looks very different from our Australian children's picture books.

Stars and Poppy Seeds has been translated into French, Korean, Spanish and English. Here is the cover of the Russian edition:

Here is my favourite page - I used to love completing dot to dot puzzles and like Flora, I am also a person who loves to count things but perhaps not quite as many things as Flora!

You can see more pages from this book at Behance.

Here are two new picture books (in English)  by Romana and Andriy: