Counting with “Two Dogs on a Trike”

I’ve been wanting to read Two Dogs on a Trike by Gabi Snyder and Robin Rosenthal since I saw the cover reveal on Tara Lazar’s blog last fall! Even then I knew it would be fun.  

So what does Two Dogs on a Trike have to offer exactly? Let’s break it down…

First, there are dogs. Lots of dogs. Dogs on vehicles like trikes and bikes and trains and hot air balloons and…well, you’ll just have to see, I guess!

Second, there is a cat. Just one cat. And more vehicles. And… what is that cat doing here anyway?

Third, these colorful creatures fill a counting book that will thrill children and their grown-ups, even grown-ups who already know how to count. (After all, who couldn’t enjoy a dog party on a submarine?!) Even better, after counting up, we get to count back down!

Fourth, it rhymes!

Fifth, there’s a twist…I’ll just leave it at that.

How to Use It:

–Count along! Help your kids develop number sense and one-to-one correspondence by counting the dogs on each vehicle. For older counters, ask: “If we add one more dog, how many dogs will there be? If one dog leaves, how many dogs will be left?”

–Develop vocabulary. Talk about the different modes of transportation you see. Talk about colors. Talk about different types of dogs. You get the idea!

–Make comparisons. Ask questions like: “Which dog is bigger? Which do you think is faster: a glider or a plane?”

–Make predictions. Ask questions like: “What do you think will happen next?” When you get to the end, make a prediction based on what happened at the beginning. Ask: “What happened at the beginning of the book? What do you think might happen now? Why do you think that?”

-Make connections. Ask questions like: “Which dog is your favorite? What do you like about that dog? Which vehicle would you want to ride in/on if you could? Why? Where would you want to travel to?”

If this silly, colorful, rhyming, dog-filled counting story with one cat and a big twist sounds like something you’d like to read (or, more importantly, that your kids would like to read), request it at your library or preorder it now before it releases on May 19!

Your turn! What are your favorite counting books to read with your kids?

P.S. Celebrate life!