Synopsis
Buzzy and his friends are learning what it means to have one, some, many, or lots and lots. Buzzy has some oranges—but after he eats them, there are none. Buzzy has some flowers, and his friend has many flowers, but when they go to a field they find lots and lots of flowers! Emily Bolam's sweet and bright illustrations make this the perfect introduction to words used for groups of objects—an important first math experience.
Children's Literature
Sometimes it is difficult for children to understand quantities that are not definite. One is a pretty simple concept. Some is shown as more than one, but it could be three, four, or whatever. Following the presentation of some is the word many. Again, it is more than one, but how much of something is needed to qualify being called more. This concept, in my opinion, is made muddier by introducing hot air balloons as well as the traditional balloons. Some oranges displays orange segments not whole oranges, which, again, is a source of confusion. The flower scenes—showing two flowers, then many in a bouquet, and finally lots in a big field is presented clearly. The book closes with the introduction of three, four, and then more. The lesson may be one too many for young board book readers. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot