Ocean Counting Book: Odd Numbers

Publishers Weekly

After exploring the water's depths to the tune of ABC in Ocean Alphabet, Jerry Pallotta and artist Shennen Bersani now tackle 1, 2, 3 (or rather, 1, 3, 5) in Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers. From one Striped Bass all the way to 49 Smelts (and then 50 Blue Sharks, with a caveat), the salty scenes are alternately serene and menacing. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-A handsome companion to Underwater Counting: Even Numbers (Charlesbridge, 2001). Pallotta still counts by twos, but slips into the realm of odd numbers, which may prove a slight challenge to readers conditioned to even numbers. However, he does slide into the "evens" for the numbers 50 and 0 at the end of this eye-catching book. Bersani's bright, realistic colored-pencil illustrations will lure readers into perusing the factoid-loaded, simple, conversational text. From "1 Striped Bass" to "23 Horseshoe Crabs" to "50 Blue Sharks," this book offers a colorful, engaging, and intriguing slant on the technique of counting.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Pallotta turns to ocean-animal facts for his latest concepts offering: odd numbers. Beginning with one striped bass, the ocean holds a vast array of unusual animals, from limpets and lumpfish, to horseshoe crabs and skate eggs. A brief paragraph accompanies each animal and focuses on only a few facts. The lessons on odd numbers are a little less successful. Pallotta does not introduce the concept of an odd number until the counting has reached 37, and then not very well. As he continues, the animal facts get less attention, and the focus shifts to numbers. This is a particular problem since the last two numbers, 50 and zero, are both even. Bersani's illustrations are breathtakingly lifelike. Readers will almost be able to feel the bumpy starfish, the sharp edges of the razor clam and the curious rough-softness of the sand. The colors and textures give each scene an amazing depth. Considering the 50 items readers will need to count at the end of the book, he does an excellent job of keeping them as separate as possible. Okay nature study, barely passable math. (Picture book. 4-9)