Yolen, Jane. 2006. Count me a rhyme: animal poems by the numbers. Photographs by Jason Stemple. Homesdale, Penn: Boyds Mills Press. A 2007 selection of the Texas 2x2 reading list.

recommended reading, looking: grades 2 through 4

A collection of "many" beautiful photographs of animals in the wild provide a backdrop for poems that express both the nature and attributes of the animals at the same time they mirror the mood of the photographs. In addition to the number words ("one," "two," and so on) the athor adds associated words and numerals (both arabic and roman) as well as related number words ("four" and "quartet"). The sound and feel of the poems coupled with the extremely sharp and clear photos makes for an excellent and enjoyable read.

The sharp, high-resolution photography is itself catching. Double-page spreads allow the book to make the most of the space. The poetry Yolen creates for each poem is itself a photograph -- and a sensory experience as well. The sound and movement of the poems echo and mirror the animals in the photographs beautifully.

The mid-elementary students who are able to sit, focus on a page, and think through the material will enjoy this book the most. Read-alouds will be something I look forward to -- feeling and hearing and tasting the poetry with my students will be a remarkable experience.

Key words: animals, poetry, counting, rhymes