Review by Booklist Review
Ages 4^-7. Farmer Bill is missing a mitten, leaving him with one "odd" mitten instead of an "even" two. His cow is also missing one of her four mittens, leaving her with an odd three. His chickens and horses have the same problem. Finally, they discover the thief, recover their mittens, and dry them by the fire. The awkwardly rhymed text is true doggerel, but it does invite participation and introduces the concept of odds and evens in an amusing way. Karas' delightfully droll illustrations not only clarify the concepts but also they give personality to Farmer Bill and his barnyard crew. An appended list, directed to adults, suggests follow-up activities and books. More successful as a teaching tool than a story, this will enhance math lessons at home and in the classroom. --Linda Perkins
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 1-This appealing addition to the series introduces odd and even numbers. When Farmer Bill dresses for outdoor chores on a snowy day, he discovers that he is short one mitten, and "One mitten's not a pair." Proceeding with his work, the farmer soon learns that his cow has the same dilemma. "They looked for her four mittens,/but there were only three." Predictably, the situation escalates. His three chickens have only five, and his two horses have only seven. Finally, Farmer Bill and his animal entourage spot the cause of their problem; it's a mitten-chewing goat. Artfully enhanced by Karas's amusing illustrations, the rhyming text bounces along smoothly. With spectacles perched on the tip of his nose, Farmer Brown wears a comically perplexed look on his face. Colorful borders and warm background colors provide a nice balance to the snowy scenes. Charts help to show the difference between the number of mittens found (odd) and the number needed (even). As in other entries in the series, suggestions for additional activities to extend the math concept are included. This well-executed title works well with or without the math; use it to clarify a concept or read it aloud as an enjoyable winter romp.-Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
On a snowy winter day, Farmer Bill notices that he's short one mitten. After discovering that his cow, his chickens, and his horses also have an odd number of mittens, Farmer Bill sets out to find the mitten thief. Soft, thick lines and muted tones help create the rustic setting for this playful, rhyming introduction to odd and even numbers. Suggestions for related activities are included. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Murphys newest addition to the MathStart series ( Probably Pistachio , see below, etc.) introduces readers to the concept of odd and even numbers. Farmer Bill is shivering in the snowy air, but the barnyard needs tending. To his confusion and consternation he finds that, though he is snuggled warmly into his long underwear, hat, coat, scarf, and earmuffs hes sadly short of one mitten. Here the reader sees the first example of odd and even. This concept is stated in the rhyming text as well as illustrated plainly on the adjoining page. As Farmer Bill visits his farm animals, he discovers that not only does the cow have only three, not four mittens, but his two horses have only seven mittensnot enough for eight hooves. One by one it becomes clear that each animal is short one, each being stuck with an odd number of mittens. Whos the rascal behind this mischief? Well, lets just say that when all the mittens are retrieved each has a few mouthfuls munched away. The book closes with two pages of activities for parents to share with their readers from discussions stemming directly from the book to activities drawn from daily life. Karass distinctive and confident artwork is a flurry of snowy landscape and snuggly barn. Once the culprit is revealed, readers will want to go back and find him in each scene. (Picture book. 3-7)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.