Reviews

Gr 1-3‘The concept that "_ and _ is 1" is presented using two bickering siblings who cannot share anything without parental intervention. Finally, the situation degenerates into a food fight, and the kids decide that if they each clean up half, they'll be done a lot sooner. Although the presentation of the math concept is clear and straightforward and the acrylic, gouache, and pencil illustrations are colorful and quirky, the singsong rhyme and lack of any real plot make this a less interesting choice than Pat Hutchins's The Doorbell Rang (Greenwillow, 1986). A list of suggestions for adults using the book with children follows the story.‘JoAnn Rees, Sunnyvale Public Library, CA