Let’s Add Up!

Let’s Add Up! is a cheerful book that can teach young children counting concepts and new vocabulary. It can help instill a joy of learning which can then contribute to lifelong curiosity and a pursuit of knowledge.

Toronto writer Victoria Allenby is the author of nine other books for young children, among them Timo’s Garden and Timo’s Party, Shape Up! Construction Trucks and Listen Up! Train Song. She has the knack to put delight in discovery. In her latest offering, a large format, thinner-paged board book, Allenby teaches children the many ways the number 10 can be reached: 7 capes + 3 robes = 10 costumes …or a play! Her examples give parents, caregivers and children themselves an opportunity to group numbers using objects around them and the understanding of how groupings can be categorized. She takes children’s thinking to another level. Her examples also suit the sensibility of young children: 8 cars + 2 trucks = 10 vehicles…or a race!

Montreal illustrator Maggie Zeng complements Allenby’s content with playful characters drawing cars and trucks and then strapping the cutouts onto themselves while they race each other, on foot, on skateboard and even in a wheelchair. The happy children are a diverse group, representing the current Canadian population. Zeng uses bright colours on a white background so children can focus on counting the objects on two facings pages and then study what the characters do with them on the next two. At the end of the book, Allenby provides ideas for activities adults can use to help make learning fun.

Let’s Add Up! can be a useful addition to a childcare centre as well as a home collection. It will create opportunities for children and adults to have many shared experiences while giving children skills and learning that will last.