Ten Shiny Snails is a counting book with rhyme and a bit of repetition. The story takes place in a forest where ten snails are playing at night. One by one each get distracted, leaving the group until one snail is left. This lone snail goes and looks for his friends and when they reunite there are ten snails at the end. The snails are tactile and protrude from the right side pages making it easier to count. There are also cut-out holes in the left pages that correspond with the number of snails that remain. However, the book's illustrations are bright and busy and at times compete with the colors of the snails. This could make if confusing for a child when counting. The book does count downwards making it a bit more challenging.

Age Appropriate: 2 to 6 years old

Galloway, R. (2010). Ten shiny snails. New York: Scholastic.

Ten Shiny Snails and Counting Butterflies in Cahuilla share the same purpose as a counting book, however these books have differences. First, the illustrations use different medias. Patienco uses soft lines and muted colors (in watercolors) to depict the butterflies making these 2-dimensional images uncluttered. Also, the images do not fully cover the pages. Galloway uses the full page and bright colors mixed with tactile snails. This books is eye catching, but filled with images. Counting Butterflies in Cahuilla counts up from 1, while Ten Shiny Snails is the reserve. Moreover, Ten Shiny Snails has a story line that rhymes, unlike the other picture book that is strictly counting with image association. Both books have number recognition and counting as a focus, yet the presentation of this theme is quite different. ( )