Underwater Counting by Jerry Pallotta and Illustrated by David Bierdrzycki

I absolutely love this book. I usually am not a big fan of counting books but this book is not your typical counting book.

I knew I was in for a treat because the cover continued its picture onto the back of the book. The author’s and illustrator’s name is written in a wave shape on the covers along with the title. The illustrations were beautiful. The flashy colors made the underwater life truly come alive. Bierdrzycki also made his fish look realistic enough that one might just do a Mary Poppins and reach into the picture and touch them. Yet, he also still has an almost mystical appearance that would entice readers on a fascinating journey through the sea counting fish. He has the fish appear as if you might see them at sea. They are not in neat little rows like some counting books but sometimes only a part of a fish will appear or some might be draped in shadow the further into the deep ocean the reader ventures.

            The illustrations are not the only exciting thing about this book but so is the text. The text is not a typical counting book. Pallotta uses comedy as it goes through counting the fish. He also gives insightful scientific facts when on each page about the fish. The counting almost becomes secondary in the excitement of all of the different kinds of fish being discussed and what is unique about each. However, Pallotta does not tell his readers his facts but shows them. He does a very good job of making the reader feel like the expert and not using any condescending tones. Sometimes “counting books” after the age four can seem too simple and babying. They uses phrases like “can you count all the fish?” or “lets count the fish, 1,2…”  Pallotta does not. He uses phrases like “These eight sailfish are a type of billfish.” This book does not only teach students how to count but will teach students about fish and the sea. It will also expand their imaginations as they view Bierdrzycki’s illustrations.

I would use this book with any age student. Although it is a counting book the illustrations and text would be engaging and enjoyable. This book also will help children learn not only how to count to ten but all the way to fifty. This would be a great book for parents to read to their children and for students as a read aloud let alone in their library. I recommend this book to all teachers.

Published: 2001