
A parent might reach for this book when their toddler or preschooler is learning to count but finds standard number books uninspiring. This beautiful book offers a creative, visually rich alternative to rote learning. It introduces numbers one through twelve by pairing them with the vibrant, textured, and often delicious-looking paintings of American artist Wayne Thiebaud. Each page features a colorful painting of everyday objects like cakes, gumballs, or pies, making the act of counting a joyful discovery. It's a perfect way to spark a child's curiosity about both numbers and art, blending educational goals with a gentle introduction to a celebrated artist's work.
There are no sensitive topics in this book. It is a straightforward art-based counting primer.
A 2 to 5-year-old who is learning their numbers and one-to-one correspondence. It is especially well-suited for a visually-oriented child who is drawn to bright colors and interesting textures, or for a child who is bored by standard, cartoonish counting books. It also serves as a wonderful 'first art book' for any young child.
No preparation is needed. The book is self-contained and easy to understand. A parent may wish to know how to pronounce the artist's name (Wayne Tee-bow) to share with their child, but it's not essential for enjoying the book. The parent has observed that their child needs to practice counting, but they are looking for a more engaging and aesthetically pleasing tool than typical educational books. The parent might be an art lover themselves and want to share that passion in an accessible way, or they may simply want to elevate their child's library with beautiful, high-quality books.
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Sign in to write a reviewA younger toddler (1-2) will enjoy pointing to the familiar objects (cake, shoes, pie) and naming them. An older toddler or preschooler (3-4) will actively engage with the counting aspect, pointing to each object as they count. An early elementary child (5) might begin to notice and appreciate more of the artistic elements, such as the thick application of paint, the use of color, and the interesting shadows.
Its core differentiator is the exclusive use of fine art from a single, renowned artist to teach a basic concept. Unlike other counting books that use custom illustrations, this one doubles as an introduction to the Pop Art-adjacent work of Wayne Thiebaud. This elevates a simple counting exercise into an early art appreciation lesson.
This is a concept book that teaches counting from one to twelve. Each number is presented on a two-page spread, accompanied by a corresponding painting by the artist Wayne Thiebaud. For example, the number '3' is paired with a painting of three cakes on stands, and '8' is shown with eight colorful gumballs in a machine. The text is minimal, simply stating the numeral and the name of the objects shown.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.