10 Dogs written and illustrated joyfully by Emily Gravett is a terrific counting book full of delightful dogs! All the dogs are first seen on the attractive hot green cover. The story is a mathematical romp-- around, under and over the kitchen table as ten very determined dogs each try to get the ten luscious sausages that are resting in a bowl on the table for their very own. Sharing does not seem to be a well-established behavior in this doggy world.
The illustrations are full of humor. What looks like a Great Dane is the tallest and the closest dog to the table-top and the yummy sausages whereas, the dog furthest away is the short dachshund or maybe the corgi. The fun begins when the first illustration shows “10 dogs 10 sausages.” The next spread gets more complicated: “1 dog with all the sausages 9 dogs with none.” It develops from there to “2 dogs each with half of them 8 dogs wanting some.”
The final illustration shows all the dogs with smiles on their faces sleeping together after having shared all ten sausages! It is ever so cute.
10 Dogs written and illustrated by Emily Gravett is an excellent fun-filled and action-packed approach to a counting book for children 3-5 years of age. Children will want to know the name of each type of dog featured in this story---so Moms, Dads and teachers will want to do a little homework. (Boxer Books/Union Square/ Sterling Publication) 2023.
The Children’s Bookshelf is a production of WCMU. Links to the podcast and the Activity Questions can be found at Children’s Bookshelf dot org.
Activity Questions for 10 DOGS
Study the front and back cover of this book and find the following dogs: dalmatian, dachshund, Scottish terrier, corgi, and Great Dane. What five dogs make up the other half of the dogs in this story? Mom and Dad can help you go online to see the various breeds and to help you identify the dogs in this book.
Why are six dogs not impressed when they see four dogs guarding the sausages? Study the spread closely to find the answer.
Do you have a dog? If so, what type of dog is it? If you don’t have a dog what breed of dog would you like to have? Draw a picture of your dog or the dog you would love to have----make sure you include lots of colorful details.
