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Bear
Bear Counts
Numbers and counting are so much fun with Bear in the second of a concept picture book series from the New York Times bestselling creators of Bear’s New Friend .
Numbers, numbers everywhere.
Can you count along with Bear?
Karma Wilson’s spirited text and Jane Chapman’s inviting illustrations make for a delightful introduction to numbers, perfect for young Bear fans.
Numbers, numbers everywhere.
Can you count along with Bear?
Karma Wilson’s spirited text and Jane Chapman’s inviting illustrations make for a delightful introduction to numbers, perfect for young Bear fans.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
13 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Karma Wilson
105 books523 followersKarma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
February 6, 2017
How can you not enjoy a good counting game in nature? Add some rhymes and Neo's excited as can be!
July 13, 2020
Between the wonderful rhyming text, and the lovely, enticing artwork by Jane Chapman, this is a perfect counting book for the youngest tots.
I only wish it went to ten!
I only wish it went to ten!
December 11, 2015
I just spent a week reading Bear Snores On to groups, and in doing so I marveled at the incredible use of onomatopoeic words---words that sound like the sounds they represent. Add to that perfect rhyme and rhythm and great pictures, and you've got a classic.
This one? The rhymes DON'T rhyme. They are awkward to read.
And what a pity since the pictures are, as usual, wonderful, and the concept of using the "Bear" characters for a counting book is just great.
Doesn't someone read these aloud before they're published?
This one? The rhymes DON'T rhyme. They are awkward to read.
And what a pity since the pictures are, as usual, wonderful, and the concept of using the "Bear" characters for a counting book is just great.
Doesn't someone read these aloud before they're published?
March 30, 2023
Bear learning arithmetic and the oridinals? Seems fake. But the book proved me wrong
August 25, 2025
Fairly derivative. And only counts up to 5. There are way more numbers to learn then just five.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2023
My favorite from this author 😊
November 25, 2015
3.5 stars Counting books...I was worried it was going to go on forever! But it only went to 5. If I had to go to 10 I would have to rate it lower. Nice rhymes and river otters so it is all good! Can you count with me 1 2 3!
October 31, 2023
Perfect for story time.
January 13, 2018
I love the Bear Series so much. Every story is a must have.
https://mobile.twitter.com/wscottjack...
https://mobile.twitter.com/wscottjack...
May 22, 2015
The rhyming was a little rough
April 13, 2016
Beautiful illustrations, - just a little clunkier than I'd like. Perhaps better for one on one use than storytime.
June 18, 2016
Cute book but I think some of the words may be a little difficult for a child to understand.
November 10, 2023
Only counts to 5 and puts an exclamation point after each number, which is confusing to kids learning to recognize the number shapes.
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February 7, 2017Title: Bear Counts
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Genre: Counting
Theme(s): Stories in rhyme, bears, friendship
Opening line/sentence:
Mouse and Bear share breakfast,
Basking in the morning sun.
Bear looks up and points,
And the bear counts….
Brief Book Summary:
Bear along with his friend Mouse travel through the forest and encounter other woodland creatures along the way. Each time he runs into a friend, he counts different objects or other creatures that are in the forest. He counts from 1-5.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2015 (Vol. 83, No. 5)) Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2015 (Vol. 83, No. 5)) Having tackled one concept in Bear Sees Colors (2014), Bear and his charming woodland friends now address the numbers from one through five.Buddies Mouse and Bear start their day together, sharing breakfast and counting: "One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly. / One robin on her nest. / Only ONE berry left!" These counting spreads begin with a page turn that will have kids yelling out the next number and end with more opportunities for them to participate: "Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with Bear?" The friends soon run into Hare, who has two apples to share, and the friends and numbers increase up to five, a perfect amount for new counters. As in the previous book, the rhythms and rhymes are not always spot-on: "Bear cries, ‘Look, it's Badger, / Mole, and Gopher by the shore! / Badger has his fishin' pole.' / And the bear counts…." (Confusingly, this spread introduces four, which rhymes with "shore" but doesn't match the number of friends met.) Chapman's acrylic illustrations offer lots of opportunities for children to count, and not just the items named in the text—look carefully for the tiny animals.Bear's fans may get practice counting the number of times they ask for this again.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17)) Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17)) Bear and Mouse enjoy breakfast in a forest clearing while, all around them, they find things to count: One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly . . . The list goes on, interspersed with the repeated refrain, Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with bear? Young children will want to try, and since the number of countable objects rises slowly, many will succeed. Throughout the book, friendly, lightly anthropomorphized animals lark about together in trees, meadow, and pond. Each four-page section features a number from one to five, depicted in two double-page spreads. The first presents a broad scene that includes groups of creatures and objects representing the number, while the next isolates each group against a white background. Well designed for its purpose, this counting book offers a lively, rhyming text along with appealing acrylic paintings. A cheerful addition to Wilson s popular Bear series of picture books.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews gave the book a good review that will keep children engaged for the entire length. In both reviews, there are quotes from the book to give an insight to what sort of lines are expected. Neither review had a bad thing to say other than the Kirkus review pointed to a few parts where the rhyming was confusingly. Overall, both reviews said that they book was kid friendly and would keep the kids interests.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is easy for younger readers to read. The plot is simple about walking through the forest with the main point being to learn how to count. The counting only goes up to 5 so early learning readers will be able to participate in counting the objects and creatures in the book. There is plenty of color that makes the book bright and colorful which makes it inviting to read.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
With this book kids can be instructed to go outside, if applicable, and collect a certain number of objects found in nature like Bear found in the forest. Students can also draw their own forest that shows Bear counting the certain number of fish, clouds, geese, bees, etc. that was found in the book. Or instead of drawing what exactly happened in the book, they could draw their own forest with themselves in it and have guidelines to include an animals/objects that count 1-5.
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Genre: Counting
Theme(s): Stories in rhyme, bears, friendship
Opening line/sentence:
Mouse and Bear share breakfast,
Basking in the morning sun.
Bear looks up and points,
And the bear counts….
Brief Book Summary:
Bear along with his friend Mouse travel through the forest and encounter other woodland creatures along the way. Each time he runs into a friend, he counts different objects or other creatures that are in the forest. He counts from 1-5.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2015 (Vol. 83, No. 5)) Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2015 (Vol. 83, No. 5)) Having tackled one concept in Bear Sees Colors (2014), Bear and his charming woodland friends now address the numbers from one through five.Buddies Mouse and Bear start their day together, sharing breakfast and counting: "One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly. / One robin on her nest. / Only ONE berry left!" These counting spreads begin with a page turn that will have kids yelling out the next number and end with more opportunities for them to participate: "Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with Bear?" The friends soon run into Hare, who has two apples to share, and the friends and numbers increase up to five, a perfect amount for new counters. As in the previous book, the rhythms and rhymes are not always spot-on: "Bear cries, ‘Look, it's Badger, / Mole, and Gopher by the shore! / Badger has his fishin' pole.' / And the bear counts…." (Confusingly, this spread introduces four, which rhymes with "shore" but doesn't match the number of friends met.) Chapman's acrylic illustrations offer lots of opportunities for children to count, and not just the items named in the text—look carefully for the tiny animals.Bear's fans may get practice counting the number of times they ask for this again.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17)) Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17)) Bear and Mouse enjoy breakfast in a forest clearing while, all around them, they find things to count: One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly . . . The list goes on, interspersed with the repeated refrain, Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with bear? Young children will want to try, and since the number of countable objects rises slowly, many will succeed. Throughout the book, friendly, lightly anthropomorphized animals lark about together in trees, meadow, and pond. Each four-page section features a number from one to five, depicted in two double-page spreads. The first presents a broad scene that includes groups of creatures and objects representing the number, while the next isolates each group against a white background. Well designed for its purpose, this counting book offers a lively, rhyming text along with appealing acrylic paintings. A cheerful addition to Wilson s popular Bear series of picture books.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews gave the book a good review that will keep children engaged for the entire length. In both reviews, there are quotes from the book to give an insight to what sort of lines are expected. Neither review had a bad thing to say other than the Kirkus review pointed to a few parts where the rhyming was confusingly. Overall, both reviews said that they book was kid friendly and would keep the kids interests.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is easy for younger readers to read. The plot is simple about walking through the forest with the main point being to learn how to count. The counting only goes up to 5 so early learning readers will be able to participate in counting the objects and creatures in the book. There is plenty of color that makes the book bright and colorful which makes it inviting to read.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
With this book kids can be instructed to go outside, if applicable, and collect a certain number of objects found in nature like Bear found in the forest. Students can also draw their own forest that shows Bear counting the certain number of fish, clouds, geese, bees, etc. that was found in the book. Or instead of drawing what exactly happened in the book, they could draw their own forest with themselves in it and have guidelines to include an animals/objects that count 1-5.
September 13, 2018
I love how simple the cover is because it demonstrates how the bear is the main character and the little details such as the butterflies, ladybug, and bird with flowers add to the story is set outside in the forest. I also really like how the word "counts" is in different colors, which makes it stand out very much so on the white background and it shows how that is the focus on the cover and throughout the book. The back cover is very colorful with the different shades of the blues and greens like in a forest. This page is so important because after the children read the story they can turn and start practicing their counting with all the animals on the back cover which is so beneficial for them. I really enjoy the illustrations on each page due to the detailed drawings that seem so lively, as you are present in this story. The grass really is a good plain aspect on both of the first pages laying out more focus on the bear and the words in the middle of the page. I also really like how the counting pages have a white background because you as a reader put more attention and focus on the colored areas on that white background, which is exactly where the reader is supposed to count and read along with each page. Each number is a different color of the rainbow, which really grabs my attention because each number has its unique color and as a reader will remember and understand it better when they are presented differently. It is awesome how the story starts off with smaller creatures they are picking out of the forest and then throughout the story they are progressing to larger animals you can see. I think it is very well done as a whole because the counting pages are broken up and not all in one row. The full colored pages between each counting page(s) break up the pages by telling a story and make the reader more interested overall than just counting the whole book. The ending was so cute and influential for the young readers who now know how to read and can practice by using the back cover.
January 30, 2023
Bear Counts by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
There are so many boring, cliché counting books that just have numbers on a page, but with this book that is not the case. The double-paged illustrations, cartoon like pictures, and a rhythmic storyline makes this such an enjoyable book to read. This counting picture book is about a bear who takes a journey through the wilderness and ends up meeting some of his furry friends along with way. I thought it was really clever how the author included the numbers into the story-telling. For example, for the number 2, the book displayed the letter two spelled out. In addition, at the beginning of each sentence it starts with the number the page is about like “Two paws which hold a treat. Two apples crisp and sweet!” To add, each page repeats the number of the previous page and hints at next. At the end, the picture book counts all the numbers together. I think this is an awesome book to use for children who are learning their numbers, as each page is filled with bright and lively characters that engage the reader. Overall, I wish this book displayed more numbers other than 1-5. I would recommend this book to Pre-K and Kindergarten.
There are so many boring, cliché counting books that just have numbers on a page, but with this book that is not the case. The double-paged illustrations, cartoon like pictures, and a rhythmic storyline makes this such an enjoyable book to read. This counting picture book is about a bear who takes a journey through the wilderness and ends up meeting some of his furry friends along with way. I thought it was really clever how the author included the numbers into the story-telling. For example, for the number 2, the book displayed the letter two spelled out. In addition, at the beginning of each sentence it starts with the number the page is about like “Two paws which hold a treat. Two apples crisp and sweet!” To add, each page repeats the number of the previous page and hints at next. At the end, the picture book counts all the numbers together. I think this is an awesome book to use for children who are learning their numbers, as each page is filled with bright and lively characters that engage the reader. Overall, I wish this book displayed more numbers other than 1-5. I would recommend this book to Pre-K and Kindergarten.
September 8, 2020
This book is such a fun concept book about counting. This book is about a bear and a mouse enjoying breakfast together. They run across several other animal friends in the forest. Each encounter there is always one more of something. For example, when came across Hare, hare offered them 2 apples that Bear counted out loud. They then ran across Raven, Owl, and Wren. Bear counted three friends talking, three muskrats, three clouds, and three bees. The story goes on like that all the way up to 5. This is a great concept book for children who are just beginning to learn how to count. Not only does the book provide a story to go along with counting, there is lots of repetition. This allows the students to catch on to what is going to be said next. This book also provides a great chance to interact with children as the story says “Numbers, numbers, everywhere. Can you count along with Bear?” you can instruct the children to count with you as you point to the illustration. This is a great beginners counting book!
September 13, 2020
This story does an excellent job of helping children learn to count while telling an engaging story. The story shows a giant scenery image and then follows along with the next page zooming in on the objects to count. This allows children to guess which objects are going to be counted before the book points it out. In addition, the numbers are all bold and colored so children can really understand what the numbers look like. The illustrations in the book are colorful and captivating to the eye. This allows children to easily engage with the story and counting the objects. In addition the phrase "Numbers, numbers everywhere. Can you count along with Bear?" is repeated throughout the story. This reputation encourages children to read and count along. I really enjoyed this book. The only reason I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars is because the counting only goes up to 5. I think the book would be better if it would at least go up to 10.
September 13, 2022
This picture book is definitely aimed towards preschoolers or even younger -- It only counts up to five. This would be a great book to show and read aloud. The teacher can make this reading interactive by asking students to identify what sorts of animals they see in each illustration, or the teacher can ask the students to identify what other objects there are *a certain number* of. I noticed that in each large illustration, there are several groups of animals or objects that are not identified in the following pages where bear counts...
I am also in love with the illustrations in this book, and I am sure kids would like them too. In each drawing, almost all animals have a smile or drawn in a positive way, which I feel kids would particularly enjoy. I also like that on the counting pages, the lines rhyme. This would also allow for an easy read aloud, and kids seem to love when things rhyme.
I am also in love with the illustrations in this book, and I am sure kids would like them too. In each drawing, almost all animals have a smile or drawn in a positive way, which I feel kids would particularly enjoy. I also like that on the counting pages, the lines rhyme. This would also allow for an easy read aloud, and kids seem to love when things rhyme.
October 6, 2024
“Bear Counts” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman is a picture book that discusses mathematical concepts of counting, number recognition, grouping, and the idea of practicing subitizing. Bear counts from 1 to 5 as he moves through his day and comes across different objects and animals. On the pages with the numbers, there are different displays of the numbers. You have the actual numerical digits, and then the written word of the number. The book writes out the number through many examples with pictures to go along with it, which helps kids practice subitizing with simple numbers. There’s multiple images that represent the number with different animals or objects. Some supports in the book for scaffolding are showing numbers in real-life context through the pictures. This helps students think of numbers in a concrete way. The repetitive text structure allows children to become familiar with the pattern of counting, which helps scaffold their understanding of number sequences. Children can predict what comes next, reinforcing their grasp of counting order.
February 6, 2020
This book is beautifully illustrated and is interesting to look at and follow along with. This is a counting book for beginning learners, but it also shows the readers different types of animals that may be found in a forest. The bear in the book is followed along through different adventures, while he meets different animals along the way. The animals he meets go along with the counting in the book and are a great way to show a visual representation of the numbers to be learned from this book. For example, "three chums who chitter - chat. Three funny muskrats." The book plays with rhyming some, but also emphasizes the number being looked at on each page. Each new number is put in the corner of the right page as it goes along with the book, so readers can follow along and keep counting up.
February 29, 2020
This book follows Bear and his adventures walking around the forest bumping into different animals and counting all the different things they see. This book has lots of rhyming and repetitive language and would be helpful for kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten starting to learn how to count. Also the illustrations in this book are eye-catching and I think that will help keep the students attention as you read the story. I would use this as a frequent read aloud with my students so, that at some parts in the book the children could interact and say the story along with me. The only critique that I have about this book is that it only counts up to five where I think it would be more helpful for kids to have it go up to ten.
February 16, 2016
Title: Bear Counts
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Genre: Counting Book, Concept Book, Fiction
Theme(s): Counting, Cooperation, Animals, Friends, Engagement, Rhymes
Opening Line/ sentence:
One!
One sun floating high.
Brief Book Summary:
The books main character Bear goes through counting from one to five. Each number has about four examples of real life items that the bear points out to count to the certain number. At the end of the examples for the specific number the phrase “numbers, numbers everywhere. Can you count along with bear?” is repeated after every number 1 through 5. At this point the bear poses a question to his audience for the reader to count along with bear but the numbers to count are presented on the page for a reference for the reader.
Professional Recommendation/ Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2015 (Vol. 83, No. 5))
Having tackled one concept in Bear Sees Colors (2014), Bear and his charming woodland friends now address the numbers from one through five.Buddies Mouse and Bear start their day together, sharing breakfast and counting: "One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly. / One robin on her nest. / Only ONE berry left!" These counting spreads begin with a page turn that will have kids yelling out the next number and end with more opportunities for them to participate: "Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with Bear?" The friends soon run into Hare, who has two apples to share, and the friends and numbers increase up to five, a perfect amount for new counters. As in the previous book, the rhythms and rhymes are not always spot-on: "Bear cries, ‘Look, it's Badger, / Mole, and Gopher by the shore! / Badger has his fishin' pole.' / And the bear counts…." (Confusingly, this spread introduces four, which rhymes with "shore" but doesn't match the number of friends met.) Chapman's acrylic illustrations offer lots of opportunities for children to count, and not just the items named in the text—look carefully for the tiny animals.Bear's fans may get practice counting the number of times they ask for this again. 2015, McElderry, 32 pp., $16.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 2 to 5. © 2015 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Professional Recommendation/ Review #2:
Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17))
Bear and Mouse enjoy breakfast in a forest clearing while, all around them, they find things to count: One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly . . . The list goes on, interspersed with the repeated refrain, Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with bear? Young children will want to try, and since the number of countable objects rises slowly, many will succeed. Throughout the book, friendly, lightly anthropomorphized animals lark about together in trees, meadow, and pond. Each four-page section features a number from one to five, depicted in two double-page spreads. The first presents a broad scene that includes groups of creatures and objects representing the number, while the next isolates each group against a white background. Well designed for its purpose, this counting book offers a lively, rhyming text along with appealing acrylic paintings. A cheerful addition to Wilson s popular Bear series of picture books. Preschool-Kindergarten
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews state the importance of the books idea to engage the reader to count along with bear. I liked this idea and agree with the two reviews about the engagement that this book offers to young children. I think young readers will pay more attention to the story if they are involved and can participate in some way throughout the story. The rhyming in this story also can engage young readers and the repetition for them to easily follow along and catch on to the phrase. This book also gives the children an opportunity to count more than what the main character Bear is counting because the illustrations are very detailed. I agree with the two responses that this is a good counting book for young children to read and engage with.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The illustrations in this book are very well drawn and very detailed. These images will catch the attention of a young reader because they are very interesting. Also along with this book the rhyming words and catchy phrase at the end of each number are catchy and easy for children to catch on to and soon repeat on their own or with an adult. This book is also very easy for young readers to understand and follow along with. The plot of this book is good concerning that the idea of this text is to help young children to learn how to count, and there are many opportunities provided for that in this book. The setting in this book is easily described to the viewer through the illustrations this book offers.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book integrates with the subject of math to teach young learners to count. An activity to go along with this book could be providing the students with a worksheet with a specific number already on the paper and giving them gummy bears to complete the specific amount given to the student on the worksheet so they are mastering their knowledge to count. And at the end of this lesson the children can eat their gummy bears because that’s always exciting for young children. This counting opportunity can be done with many other options to engage the students in the idea of learning how to count.
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Genre: Counting Book, Concept Book, Fiction
Theme(s): Counting, Cooperation, Animals, Friends, Engagement, Rhymes
Opening Line/ sentence:
One!
One sun floating high.
Brief Book Summary:
The books main character Bear goes through counting from one to five. Each number has about four examples of real life items that the bear points out to count to the certain number. At the end of the examples for the specific number the phrase “numbers, numbers everywhere. Can you count along with bear?” is repeated after every number 1 through 5. At this point the bear poses a question to his audience for the reader to count along with bear but the numbers to count are presented on the page for a reference for the reader.
Professional Recommendation/ Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2015 (Vol. 83, No. 5))
Having tackled one concept in Bear Sees Colors (2014), Bear and his charming woodland friends now address the numbers from one through five.Buddies Mouse and Bear start their day together, sharing breakfast and counting: "One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly. / One robin on her nest. / Only ONE berry left!" These counting spreads begin with a page turn that will have kids yelling out the next number and end with more opportunities for them to participate: "Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with Bear?" The friends soon run into Hare, who has two apples to share, and the friends and numbers increase up to five, a perfect amount for new counters. As in the previous book, the rhythms and rhymes are not always spot-on: "Bear cries, ‘Look, it's Badger, / Mole, and Gopher by the shore! / Badger has his fishin' pole.' / And the bear counts…." (Confusingly, this spread introduces four, which rhymes with "shore" but doesn't match the number of friends met.) Chapman's acrylic illustrations offer lots of opportunities for children to count, and not just the items named in the text—look carefully for the tiny animals.Bear's fans may get practice counting the number of times they ask for this again. 2015, McElderry, 32 pp., $16.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 2 to 5. © 2015 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Professional Recommendation/ Review #2:
Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17))
Bear and Mouse enjoy breakfast in a forest clearing while, all around them, they find things to count: One sun floating high. / One giant dragonfly . . . The list goes on, interspersed with the repeated refrain, Numbers, numbers everywhere. / Can you count along with bear? Young children will want to try, and since the number of countable objects rises slowly, many will succeed. Throughout the book, friendly, lightly anthropomorphized animals lark about together in trees, meadow, and pond. Each four-page section features a number from one to five, depicted in two double-page spreads. The first presents a broad scene that includes groups of creatures and objects representing the number, while the next isolates each group against a white background. Well designed for its purpose, this counting book offers a lively, rhyming text along with appealing acrylic paintings. A cheerful addition to Wilson s popular Bear series of picture books. Preschool-Kindergarten
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews state the importance of the books idea to engage the reader to count along with bear. I liked this idea and agree with the two reviews about the engagement that this book offers to young children. I think young readers will pay more attention to the story if they are involved and can participate in some way throughout the story. The rhyming in this story also can engage young readers and the repetition for them to easily follow along and catch on to the phrase. This book also gives the children an opportunity to count more than what the main character Bear is counting because the illustrations are very detailed. I agree with the two responses that this is a good counting book for young children to read and engage with.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The illustrations in this book are very well drawn and very detailed. These images will catch the attention of a young reader because they are very interesting. Also along with this book the rhyming words and catchy phrase at the end of each number are catchy and easy for children to catch on to and soon repeat on their own or with an adult. This book is also very easy for young readers to understand and follow along with. The plot of this book is good concerning that the idea of this text is to help young children to learn how to count, and there are many opportunities provided for that in this book. The setting in this book is easily described to the viewer through the illustrations this book offers.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book integrates with the subject of math to teach young learners to count. An activity to go along with this book could be providing the students with a worksheet with a specific number already on the paper and giving them gummy bears to complete the specific amount given to the student on the worksheet so they are mastering their knowledge to count. And at the end of this lesson the children can eat their gummy bears because that’s always exciting for young children. This counting opportunity can be done with many other options to engage the students in the idea of learning how to count.
January 3, 2018
Bear Counts is a really good counting book. I love this book because Bear counts a lot of different animals, and I like the animals. Bear counts 1-5. He sees all kinds of things like the sun, a bunny rabbit, and muskrats to name a few. I really like the pictures in this book. Some of them show Bear in funny situations like when fish are slapping him in the face. I think that kids should read this book because it can help them learn to count from 1-5, and it's a good way to spend time with their moms and dads.
August 1, 2022
Bear gets a lesson in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in this nature counting book that will turn readers into natural number lovers. With a simple yet impactful repeated phrase, “Can YOU count with Bear?” each page introduces new animals with detailed and delightful illustrations.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
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April 20, 2020"Bear Counts" by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman was published in 2015 is a great read-aloud book for preschool-2nd graders. This book is about a bear taking us along on a journey in counting different objects in nature and is a great book for young children to practice counting. This is a great way for young students to be introduced to numbers and practice counting objects in their daily lives.
May 2, 2021
Not my favorite of the Bear books. I'm a little torn on this in general.
I like the rhyming words and I like that it's a concept book. However, I feel like the text is way too advanced for a child who would need a concept book that only counts to 5.
I like that the bear and his friends do activities throughout the book and it's not just "count these items." But when they do count the items, it just seems a little clunky.
I like the rhyming words and I like that it's a concept book. However, I feel like the text is way too advanced for a child who would need a concept book that only counts to 5.
I like that the bear and his friends do activities throughout the book and it's not just "count these items." But when they do count the items, it just seems a little clunky.
April 27, 2022
Bear Counts is a counting book that involves a bear counting animals and objects as the story follows him through the woods. I love the soft brown shade the bear is and the bright greens. It also has some repetition and I think is a great counting book that also includes a story intertwined. I love the illustrations of the water, the sea-otters, and the frogs the absolute most. The book is also about friendship. The cover page is intriguing and I think this is a great counting book.
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November 15, 2022Summary: This book is an interactive counting book. As reading the children can count the objects as you point to them. It teaches them that each object is counted once and the last number counted is how many there are total.
How can I use this in my classroom?
-you can teach the students counting one through five
-you can do a math activity with this after reading
-give each student a certain number of objects and have them count them
How can I use this in my classroom?
-you can teach the students counting one through five
-you can do a math activity with this after reading
-give each student a certain number of objects and have them count them
November 17, 2017
Cute counting book. Simple as it only counts to five but the illustrations and story make it more than a counting book. The illustrations are detailed, then on the counting pages it singles out what is being counted within the original detailed illustration. Everything counted is in nature, which could also be connected to science or outdoor play.
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