Is the Brown Bear the Only One Who Sees?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Written by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrated by Eric Carle
Published by Henry Holt and Company
ISBN 0805047905

Brown Bear, Brown Bear.. is visually centered book. It starts with one animal- the brown bear- and he sees and then the cycle continues. It utilizes repetition as a main tool in its story-telling.

I remember this being one of my favorite books as a child. I loved the sing-song repetition pattern throughout the story. Looking at it now I see that it is a very simple tool to teach children memorization, especially since at the end of the book the children recite each animal and their specific color and remember to include seeing the teacher.

One and Not Done

1 is One 
Written and Illustrated by Tasha Tudor
Published by Little Simon 1956
ISBN 0689851421

This book is another teaching mechanisms for counting to ten. It begins with the number and an picture example of that number. It uses cute phrases and illustrations to describe what each activity is happening with the number.

I enjoyed reading this book and I feel a child would too. Learning to count is a big stage in a toddler's development, and a book that shows it in such a simple yet descriptive way is a great way to do so. I enjoyed how it ended showing a kid doing the counting himself.

Exploring Ten Black Dots

Ten Black Dots 
Written and Illustrated by Donald Crews
 Published by Green Willows 1986
ISBN 9780061857799

This book asks its readers what can be done with ten black dots. It begins with one dots and progresses up to ten displaying all the dots can be used. Each dot is incorporated with a fun and age appropriate illustration to get the lesson across.

To me, this seems like an excellent book for teaching children ages four and under how to count. The vivid and fun illustrations show children how to think creatively. It makes learning feel like a game, and  if I were I child I would enjoy it.