Edible Numbers

Reviewed by: Bernie Alie - Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk ME, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 12, 2016

Review

A wonderful board book introducing counting with farmer's market quality fruits and vegetables. These are not your big box store varieties. Included are Hen of the Woods mushrooms, Eight Ball zucchini, Berkeley Tie-Dye tomatoes and Buddha's Hand citron. Each 2-page spread shows one example of the food group on the left page, and ever-increasing varieties on the right page. For instance, one Idaho potato is on the left page, and 5 different varieties of potatoes are on the right-hand page (Yukon Gold, Russian Blue, Adirondack Red, Adirondack Blue and Blossom). Numbers on the right-hand pages increase from 2-12. The squashes depicted are all summer varieties; no winter squashes are shown. Some items may be unfamiliar to the adults reading the book.

Photos of each item are crystal clear, and give excellent detail. Families will enjoy counting all the items on the final pages. Teachers will find it useful for introducing farmer's markets. Combine with the author's Edible Colors and April Pulley Sayre's Rah, Rah, Radishes for a farmer's market/harvest themed storytime.

Highly recommended

Overall Book Score: very good