One Tiger Growls by Ginger Wadsworth
illustrated by James M. Needham
One tiger gr-r-rowls . . . and nineteen other animals squeak and squawk and howl and hoot right back in this counting book of animal sounds. In One Tiger Growls early readers find a beautiful and exciting look at animals and math in nature. Counting at full volume, kids learn their numbers while they learn fascinating facts about animals from all over the world. For instance, did you know that the usually solitary tiger greets other tigers with a growl and by rubbing its head to theirs? Sea lions, on the other hand, live in large groups and "bark ork-ork-ork while they play games. . .." Counting this noisy menagerie will keep readers talking page after page.
0-88106-273-1 $15.95 hc
0-88106-274-X $6.95 pb
"The team that created One on a Web (1997) offers another animal counting book focusing on the noises various creatures make. Most are introduced in double-page spreads that depict the individual animal in its natural habitat. Large type identifies the animal and its sound ("seven gorillas grunt wuh-wuh-wuh-wuh"); then, there's a paragraph with more detailed information about the creature and its habits. Young listeners will recognize most of the animals and their sounds, though llamas (um-m-m-m-m-m), sea lions (ork-ork-ork), and hippos (un-n-nk, un-n-nk) may be new to them. Needham's brightly colored gouache artwork includes many habitat details that add to the book's appeal. Although there's not enough information for report writers, this is definitely more complex than the average counting book. Give this one to sophisticated browsers who may be almost ready for research."
(Booklist, February 1999)
Hippos bellow, squirrels chitter, and hyenas guffaw in this counting book of animal noises. Wadsworth and Needham count off animals from 1-20, with a paragraph on each: what 15 shrieking gulls eat, when 2 roosters crow, and why 11 slithering snakes flick their tongues in and out and hiss. For the most part, animals are portrayed in realistically sized groups, e.g., a single tiger, but 18 crows. The large realistic illustrations bring preschoolers up close to animals such as tigers and snakes without making the creatures appear too intimidating. Sound effects are included for each animal, so even toddlers will enjoy the counting and the racket.
(Kirkus, January 1999)
This cacophony of animal sounds covers turf from the South American mountain-tops to the African plains, from the exotic wilds to suburban backyards. Beginning with one tiger's growl and ending with 20 frogs' "ribbit-ribbit," each spread includes a phonetic spelling of the animal sound along with a brief paragraph on the habits of each creature. While youngsters busily count crows and hee-haw like donkeys, they may also pick up a few facts: "Mice chew wood and walls. . .to trim their teeth;" llamas spit when they're angry. Most of the details about the more popular animals will be well known even to youngest readers, though they may enjoy mimicking the rooster, owl, coyote, snake, hyena, and gorilla, among others. Needham depicts the animals with cold, textbook-like accuracy in their natural habitats (even the kittens look wooden). The design reinforces the feeling of a lesson, with the triple agenda of learning numbers, facts, and animal sounds laid out in drab olive browns and mustard yellows.
(Publisher's Weekly, February 1999)
A rousing introduction to counting from 1 to 20. Using a wide variety of typical sounds to prompt participation, Wadsworth includes a paragraph of information about each of the featured animals. Needham's realistic gouache paintings are bright, sharp edged, and eye-catching, and march in sprightly step with the brief text. Great horned owls are specified, but many other critters remain generic (snakes, for example) and this is sure to engender many questions from curious children, and will send parents and teachers scurrying to the library for more information. The long-horned grasshopper (a.k.a. katydid) is categorized as carnivorous, and while some types are, most graze on foliage and grasses. The male sea lion depicted looks rather like a northern fur seal, as well. These small carps aside, One Tiger Growls is inviting, informative, and fun, and it could lead to a rowdy outbreak of roars, hisses, squawks, and hee-haws from delighted audiences.
(School Library Journal, April 1999)
This simple counting book features attractive illustrations of wild animals of many types. As suggested by the title, its theme is the noises that animals make. Each page begins with the number of animals in the picture and an accompanying sentence, such as "Eight coyotes yowl yip-yip-yip." The short paragraph that follows each of these lead sentences provides information about the animal, with most paragraphs describing what activities the animal engages in and why it makes its sounds. The twenty animals discussed are mostly mammals or birds from various habitats around the world. Two basic concepts characterize One Tiger Growls: readers learn about animals and their sounds. Children may enjoy counting the animals for each number 1 to 20. Even the youngest children can accomplish this counting because the animals are clearly visible in each picture. The handsome pictures will probably appeal to many children.
(Teaching Children Mathematics, December 1999)
The K-3 crowd will cheer this counting book. A one-third page paragraph describes faraway and close-to-home creatures, from the kitten to the coyotes, squirrels to sea lions-each with its own uniques sound. In California's new, small classrooms of 20 students, there's a special noise for each pupil. Needham's gouache illustrations are realistic, and an invitation to learn more about the animals described. This is one of a series of enjoyable nature books Wadworth has created.
(Contra Costa Times, July 2000)
