Ten on a Twig Perfect Picture Book Friday

A delightfully clever counting book packed with engaging learning opportunities!

text copyright Lo Cole, 2020, illustrations copyright Lo Cole, 2020, Sourcebooks Jabberwoky

This colorful picture book makes practicing counting backwards a "SNAP!" With ten birds perched on a single twig, something is bound to go wrong. As the twig starts to break, and birds begin to fall, a new plan emerges. What will the little birds do with all the broken pieces? The surprise ending proves that when things break all around, a little teamwork and resourcefulness can go a long way.

Alive with colorful illustrations and short, punchy rhymes, this book begs to be read aloud! Readers will enjoy engaging with the text, counting down, adding up, identifying colors and patterns, comparing sizes, and predicting what comes next. There are so many educational opportunities in this lovable little book, and young learners will want to read it again and again! And, with the twist ending, it's the perfect choice for snuggling, cuddling, and reading before bedtime.

Title:  TEN ON A TWIG

Author and Illustrator:  Lo Cole

Publisher:  Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2020

Ages:  Baby-3

Themes:  Counting, Prediction, Compare/Contrast, Bedtime, Teamwork, Family

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• Go birdwatching! Bring binoculars if you'd like, or just use your eyes (and ears!) to spot the birds. Can you identify them? How many did you see? What colors did you observe?  Choose one of your favorites and draw a picture of it.
• For practice counting backwards, play hide and seek. Start at 10 or 20, and count backwards!
• For more fun extension activities, check out this website!
• Conversation starters:  "Which do you enjoy more, counting forwards or backwards? Why?" "In the story, the little birds used their broken twigs to create something. If you were the little birds, what would you have made with the broken twigs?" "What is your favorite type of bird? Why?"

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Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!