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Count on Me
A young girl sees the world differently in this beautiful picture book celebration of math.
Everyone has a passion. For some, it's music. For others, it's art. For our heroine, it's math. When she looks around the world, she sees math in all the beautiful things: the concentric circles a stone makes in a lake, the curve of a slide, the geometric shapes in the playground. Others don't understand her passion, but she doesn't mind. There are infinite ways to see the world. And through math is one of them.
This book is a gorgeous ode to something vital but rarely celebrated. In the eyes of this little girl, math takes its place alongside painting, drawing and song as a way to ponder the beauty of the world.
Everyone has a passion. For some, it's music. For others, it's art. For our heroine, it's math. When she looks around the world, she sees math in all the beautiful things: the concentric circles a stone makes in a lake, the curve of a slide, the geometric shapes in the playground. Others don't understand her passion, but she doesn't mind. There are infinite ways to see the world. And through math is one of them.
This book is a gorgeous ode to something vital but rarely celebrated. In the eyes of this little girl, math takes its place alongside painting, drawing and song as a way to ponder the beauty of the world.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Miguel Tanco
51books38followersI’m a children’s book author and illustrator. I teach illustration and organizes creative workshops around the world. I had published over 40 children’s books including You and Me, Me and You (Chronicle books 2017) Les Farfelus (Les Fourmis Rouges 2015) , Sing me a song (Edelvives 2015) Una jirafa mia (Sm Brazil, 2014), Un caramel Amarillo (Edelbra Brazil, 2014),, Cuentos para dormir y soñar (Edicio- nes SM, 2012), El papá que no sabía contar cuentos (Pintar-Pintar, 2012), Cyrano de Bergerac (Repubblica-Espresso, 2011).
I received awards including the Bologna Book Fair Mention, 2010-2012, Children’s Show N.o 9 of 3×3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration 2014 and 2016 ,The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles West 51 Mention, The AOI mention of Illustration 2016. Golden award at Association of illustrators of Los Angeles ILWEST55 2017 and illustration selected by New York society of illustrators 59 annual and exhibit 2017.
I live in Milan with my wife Federica and our two sons, Pablo and Javier.
I received awards including the Bologna Book Fair Mention, 2010-2012, Children’s Show N.o 9 of 3×3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration 2014 and 2016 ,The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles West 51 Mention, The AOI mention of Illustration 2016. Golden award at Association of illustrators of Los Angeles ILWEST55 2017 and illustration selected by New York society of illustrators 59 annual and exhibit 2017.
I live in Milan with my wife Federica and our two sons, Pablo and Javier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
June 11, 2019
Count on Me is a good little book. We follow a little girl who is struggling to explain to everyone that her passion is math. I like the illustrations (though, goodness, I wish the dad would maybe shave or at least tidy things up a bit!), and in most cases few words are needed on each page to make the ideas really clear.
I do wish that her love for math was integrated into some of the other activities she attempted and dismissed, but that is more than made up for by the fantastic section at the back that defines and explains some basic math concepts.
This is a solid little book that just might encourage more young girls to embrace math before they hear the message that it's not a thing girls are supposed to do.
4 strong stars for this little book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for providing me with a DRC of this book.
I do wish that her love for math was integrated into some of the other activities she attempted and dismissed, but that is more than made up for by the fantastic section at the back that defines and explains some basic math concepts.
This is a solid little book that just might encourage more young girls to embrace math before they hear the message that it's not a thing girls are supposed to do.
4 strong stars for this little book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for providing me with a DRC of this book.
March 27, 2022
I have always found that with Tate Publishing picture books that the art work is beautiful and interesting, with a distinctive style. Although the story had a simple enough idea - we all have different interests, this was a pleasing read with some fun maths facts in the back pages. I have no interest in maths whatsoever but this was an enjoyable read and definitely one I would recommend to a small maths enthusiast.
April 2, 2019
This is a story about a little girl whose passion is math. She's tried all sorts of other things--from cooking to music--but nothing excites her the way math does. She sees it in everything around her. The main message is that everybody sees the world in a different way, and being passionate about math is a good thing.
I do kind of wish the main narrative had emphasized more the relationship between math and all of the girl's experimental activities (dance, cooking, sports, music, etc.), rather than just having her dismiss them as not for her. In the back of the book, we see the girl's notebook in which she talks about things like fractals and trajectories. So while the reader can clearly see that math factors into all of those activities that she dismissed before, the girl herself doesn't always seem to acknowledge the links in the main narrative.
That bit with the notebook at the back is probably my favourite part of the book. It sort of turns this into a fiction/non-fiction hybrid. There's no real "story" otherwise, just a child talking about her unique worldview.
I would recommend this one, especially to kids who are passionate about math. I like the way it shows that math is something that's part of everything we do, and isn't really that strange of a passion to have.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books (NY) for providing a digital ARC.
I do kind of wish the main narrative had emphasized more the relationship between math and all of the girl's experimental activities (dance, cooking, sports, music, etc.), rather than just having her dismiss them as not for her. In the back of the book, we see the girl's notebook in which she talks about things like fractals and trajectories. So while the reader can clearly see that math factors into all of those activities that she dismissed before, the girl herself doesn't always seem to acknowledge the links in the main narrative.
That bit with the notebook at the back is probably my favourite part of the book. It sort of turns this into a fiction/non-fiction hybrid. There's no real "story" otherwise, just a child talking about her unique worldview.
I would recommend this one, especially to kids who are passionate about math. I like the way it shows that math is something that's part of everything we do, and isn't really that strange of a passion to have.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books (NY) for providing a digital ARC.
October 20, 2019
I really liked this book and would probably have liked it even more when I was a young kid. I think it’s a great book for math phobic kids and also for young kids who enjoy math and want to share the joy with others who might not understand why they love the subject.
Lovely illustrations. Some good basic math facts at the end using pictures of shapes and such. Made very easy to understand for all ages.
I also like that an interracial family is portrayed and that many different kinds of passions are shown, math being one of them.
Lovely illustrations. Some good basic math facts at the end using pictures of shapes and such. Made very easy to understand for all ages.
I also like that an interracial family is portrayed and that many different kinds of passions are shown, math being one of them.
June 25, 2019
I loved everything about this book! Including the hair (you heard me Jane)
A math nerd enjoying math in everyday life?
Yes please!
This will be lots of fun to share with tiny humans!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for my DRC.
A math nerd enjoying math in everyday life?
Yes please!
This will be lots of fun to share with tiny humans!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for my DRC.
April 1, 2019
A little gem right here! Wow! First of all I love the artwork so much!! Beautiful! And I also really like the story, about this little girl finding her passion and enjoying her life through it. Passion are important and kids should explore more and not be afraid of liking what they like. It has also a fun little informative pamphlet at the end on the notion the character talk about in the book. Perfectly done!!
April 21, 2019
This is kind of a cute, slow burn sort of story about a little girl who explains that everyone has a passion, and hers happens to be math.
And if you wonder how anyone could have such a passion, then she shares her notebook, where it is all explained, and you get to understand a little better.
And through this notebook you get to learn about fractals, and trajectories. You get to learn that math is more than just adding numbers together. And it all makes sense that she would love it so much.
A good story for children who have different types of passion, and perhaps this will also encourage them to have these types of passion.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book avialble for an honest review.
And if you wonder how anyone could have such a passion, then she shares her notebook, where it is all explained, and you get to understand a little better.
And through this notebook you get to learn about fractals, and trajectories. You get to learn that math is more than just adding numbers together. And it all makes sense that she would love it so much.
A good story for children who have different types of passion, and perhaps this will also encourage them to have these types of passion.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book avialble for an honest review.
June 8, 2019
I love, love, love this little picture book about a girl who loves math. The illustrations are darling and a lot of math is worked into such a sparse little picture book. I love the fact that the reader can see how math is involved in the things the girl does and sees (she looks at a painting and sees a long math equation, flies a paper airplane and sees the trajectory, etc.) and then at the end we get to read her notebook of sketches and explanations of math concepts like concentric circles, polygons, fractals and kinds of sets.
This would make a wonderful addition to a home or school library, especially to gently encourage a love of math and an understanding of math concepts. I plan to get a copy for our home.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
This would make a wonderful addition to a home or school library, especially to gently encourage a love of math and an understanding of math concepts. I plan to get a copy for our home.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
April 13, 2019
Count on Me is the story of a young girl who knows her life passion is the math that makes the world go round-- whether it's in nature, buildings, or art, math is everywhere! I love illustrations like the ones in Count on Me, with color used to pop out important pieces of each picture. A perfect book for the child who looks for the answers to life's measured wonders.
June 12, 2019
Being a math-phobic artist type, I loved that this book made math seem so wonderful. The girl's love for math is infectious. Illustrations are charming. I love seeing the beauty of complex math equations juxtaposed to the artwork. Math needs a love letter and this is it!
April 24, 2020
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You guys,Count on Meby Miguel Tanco wasso damn cute. I don't even know where to begin with how much I adored this book, but ultimately it comes down to two things. The first is how it portrays the main character's love of math, a slightly unconventional passion for most children. The second is the inclusion of diversity. I always love seeing characters who offer those who have rarely seen themselves in media the opportunity to do so. And honestly, I cannot wait forCount on Meto find its way to a great many shelves for all the girls who love math and for all the girls who will be able to see themselves in this character. Something else that I really appreciated about this book is the fact that the family is interracial, portrayed with a white father and a POC mother. Though the roles are switched as far as matching goes, one of the things I was really excited about was the fact that this character would be perfect for my other niece, whose mother is my sister.
Count on Me follows our main character as she goes about the world trying to find her passion. Her father is an artist, her brother a musician, and her mom a scientist. Though she tries out these passions, and others, the young girl in this story turns to math above all else. I was thrilled to see all the ways in which math was integrated into the story, especially as the main character introduces readers to them. A part of me does wish that the author had included more information as to how math can relate to the other passions that the young girl tries--I know for a fact that there's alot of math in science--as it really would have added to the story.
The artwork was absolutely gorgeous, which I think you can tell just by looking at the cover there. You can really feel a strong connection to the characters and one of the best pieces was the illustrated notebook explaining all of the math pieces that the author touches on in the book. It's presented as the young girl's notebook and does an amazing job illustrating how the math works. While I don't picture children being exceedingly interested in this portion of the book, I do think it's a wonderful inclusion and the kids who are interested in math will definitely find it exciting.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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You guys,Count on Meby Miguel Tanco wasso damn cute. I don't even know where to begin with how much I adored this book, but ultimately it comes down to two things. The first is how it portrays the main character's love of math, a slightly unconventional passion for most children. The second is the inclusion of diversity. I always love seeing characters who offer those who have rarely seen themselves in media the opportunity to do so. And honestly, I cannot wait forCount on Meto find its way to a great many shelves for all the girls who love math and for all the girls who will be able to see themselves in this character. Something else that I really appreciated about this book is the fact that the family is interracial, portrayed with a white father and a POC mother. Though the roles are switched as far as matching goes, one of the things I was really excited about was the fact that this character would be perfect for my other niece, whose mother is my sister.
Count on Me follows our main character as she goes about the world trying to find her passion. Her father is an artist, her brother a musician, and her mom a scientist. Though she tries out these passions, and others, the young girl in this story turns to math above all else. I was thrilled to see all the ways in which math was integrated into the story, especially as the main character introduces readers to them. A part of me does wish that the author had included more information as to how math can relate to the other passions that the young girl tries--I know for a fact that there's alot of math in science--as it really would have added to the story.
The artwork was absolutely gorgeous, which I think you can tell just by looking at the cover there. You can really feel a strong connection to the characters and one of the best pieces was the illustrated notebook explaining all of the math pieces that the author touches on in the book. It's presented as the young girl's notebook and does an amazing job illustrating how the math works. While I don't picture children being exceedingly interested in this portion of the book, I do think it's a wonderful inclusion and the kids who are interested in math will definitely find it exciting.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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October 24, 2020
A wonderful ode to the beauty and artistry of mathematics. Count on Me follows Katherine and her family in the search for her passion. Each member of the household has a talent: her father paints, her mother is an entomologist and her brother is musical yet Katharine just can't pinpoint her skill or passion. Even all the activities at school don't seem to call her. It is only when she learns to let go and allow her passion to find her that the answer comes in the guise of mathematics.
Katharine sees it everywhere. In the cobbles of a street or the fractalesque nature of the branches of trees; she sees its beauty in the natural world and in architecture; in the linear and in the curved. She recognises that beyond its beauty and design, maths is also purposeful and glorious in its symmetry and chaos.
A beautiful story that could win over even the most reluctant mathematician whilst showing maths enthusiasts that there is artistry and pleasure to be found in their passion. The picturebook closes with Katharine's ever-present notebook which shares some of her observations on the presence of maths in the everyday.
Katharine sees it everywhere. In the cobbles of a street or the fractalesque nature of the branches of trees; she sees its beauty in the natural world and in architecture; in the linear and in the curved. She recognises that beyond its beauty and design, maths is also purposeful and glorious in its symmetry and chaos.
A beautiful story that could win over even the most reluctant mathematician whilst showing maths enthusiasts that there is artistry and pleasure to be found in their passion. The picturebook closes with Katharine's ever-present notebook which shares some of her observations on the presence of maths in the everyday.
April 25, 2019
Do you have a particular passion for something? Is it music? Is it painting? Is it cooking? Well today's little heroine has a passion for math. What? How could anyone possibility love math?
This young girl looks around her world and see shapes, and numbers and all the math possibilities that surround her. Math seems to be hidden from others but to her it is exposed. She sees geometric shapes on the playground, concentric circles as she skips stones across the water, and the curve of playground slide just to name a few. Every day she uncovers more math-meaning in her every day life.
This book is a celebration of math and it's wonders. The author concludes that: "there are infinite ways to see the world" and the little girl is gifted with seeing it through the lens of mathmatics. The illustrations are beautiful and enhance the text greatly. Included at the end is a sneak peek into the little girl's math journal where she daily records her math discoveries. I highly recommend this book. It is terrific from beginning to end. Well done!
This young girl looks around her world and see shapes, and numbers and all the math possibilities that surround her. Math seems to be hidden from others but to her it is exposed. She sees geometric shapes on the playground, concentric circles as she skips stones across the water, and the curve of playground slide just to name a few. Every day she uncovers more math-meaning in her every day life.
This book is a celebration of math and it's wonders. The author concludes that: "there are infinite ways to see the world" and the little girl is gifted with seeing it through the lens of mathmatics. The illustrations are beautiful and enhance the text greatly. Included at the end is a sneak peek into the little girl's math journal where she daily records her math discoveries. I highly recommend this book. It is terrific from beginning to end. Well done!
April 7, 2019
Really loved this little children's book! The illustrations are wonderful and the message about finding your passions among the infinitesimal choices in our world is fantastic!
November 10, 2020
I’ve come across many picture books that talk about or hint towards a love or passion for certain things in life, but I’ve never come across one that talks about a love for maths. And for this reason, and many others, I loved this book! I’m a strong believer in every child should have the opportunity to find something they love to do in school, and many children may be stuck in the stereotypical idea that maths is hard and not much fun. This book throws that idea out the window, I would love to use this in a classroom with any age of children!
July 13, 2023
Çok güzel bir çocuk kitabı. Küçük bir kız çocuğunun matematik sevgisini anlatıyor. Kitabı resimleyen de yazarın kendisi ve bu konuda da oldukça başarılı. Kitabın arkasındaki matematik defteri kısmını da çok sevdim. Kitap, dilimize En Büyük Tutkum Matematik adıyla çevrilmiş ve Tübitak Yayınları tarafından basılmış.
October 15, 2020
A great little book that celebrates following your passions, not caring about difference and about all the ways maths can be found in our world. A great section at the back expands on the story and helps people see how patterns and mathematics can be found in our world.
October 22, 2019
This book encourages kids (specially girls) to explore math. I love books that challenge gender stereotypes and this one does just that.
July 20, 2019
I like the endnotes with some math vocabulary and examples.
March 15, 2020
A good SEL read for young girls of color who defy stereotypes and follow their truth/passion!
June 10, 2019
Awesome story! I love that a child enjoys math! The illustrations were a bit too small to see on my Kindle, but I bet they'll look great in the book! Colorful, too. I also enjoyed the end of the story that included explanations of math concepts such as sets, concentric circles, and trajectory! Wonderful intro to math for littles!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
May 14, 2019
I have yet to read a picture book focused on math. There are many great STEM books, science books, fairy stories, books about art, etc but I can’t think of a book focused solely on math. Thanks to Miguel Tanco and Tundra Books, Count on Me hits shelves this spring.
In the story a little girl has tried all of the different activities offered at her school. She has tried sports and arts endeavours but nothing she tries are right for her, except for math. Her mind sees math all around her, in nature, on the playground, even at the dinner table. Math is all around and it’s how she sees the world which can be hard to understand.
It’s so refreshing to have a story for all those readers who see the world a little differently. To see themselves and their passions reflected back to them and to know they are not alone in their love for math. The illustrations are so wonderful with a muted color palette to really let the story and the math shine through. My favourite part is the girl’s math notebook at the end. I must admit, there were some math concepts I was not familiar with in the story, but thanks to the math notebook at the end, I was given simple explanations for some really complex concepts. If you live in Ontario, Canada you may have heard the talk about low math scores across the province so Count on Me by Miguel Tanco is incredibly timely and a must have for Ontario classrooms and libraries
In the story a little girl has tried all of the different activities offered at her school. She has tried sports and arts endeavours but nothing she tries are right for her, except for math. Her mind sees math all around her, in nature, on the playground, even at the dinner table. Math is all around and it’s how she sees the world which can be hard to understand.
It’s so refreshing to have a story for all those readers who see the world a little differently. To see themselves and their passions reflected back to them and to know they are not alone in their love for math. The illustrations are so wonderful with a muted color palette to really let the story and the math shine through. My favourite part is the girl’s math notebook at the end. I must admit, there were some math concepts I was not familiar with in the story, but thanks to the math notebook at the end, I was given simple explanations for some really complex concepts. If you live in Ontario, Canada you may have heard the talk about low math scores across the province so Count on Me by Miguel Tanco is incredibly timely and a must have for Ontario classrooms and libraries
April 17, 2019
I love, loVE, LOVE this book! There are so many wonderful things about Count on Me, written and illustrated by Miguel Tanco: the images, storyline, message…everything! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a picture book that seems to have it all.
Count on Me is a story about a young girl who lives with a family of people who know their calling; her mom is a scientist, her dad is a painter, and her brother is a musician. Through subsequent pages, readers begin to see the girl’s passion take shape. It’s math. Math is all around and the girl just can’t get enough. Even though her peers don’t fully understand her passion, it’s ok. Because she knows that everyone has his/her own way of seeing the world, and hers is through the lens of fractals, polygons, and the like.
Great read aloud for grades 2-3.
Author/Illustrator: Miguel Tanco
Publisher: Penguin Random House/Tundra Books
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Count on Me is a story about a young girl who lives with a family of people who know their calling; her mom is a scientist, her dad is a painter, and her brother is a musician. Through subsequent pages, readers begin to see the girl’s passion take shape. It’s math. Math is all around and the girl just can’t get enough. Even though her peers don’t fully understand her passion, it’s ok. Because she knows that everyone has his/her own way of seeing the world, and hers is through the lens of fractals, polygons, and the like.
Great read aloud for grades 2-3.
Author/Illustrator: Miguel Tanco
Publisher: Penguin Random House/Tundra Books
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2019
This is a very simple picture book with a very big message. First of all, it's one of those books that you want to use to help students realize that math can be cool and more prevalent in your everyday life than you realize. More importantly though, I like that it says that you can be passionate about anything you want-even something like math that others might not understand. She sees math and understands the beauty in the levels of math evident in science and nature. Then, in the back of the book, it explains in more detail the exciting things about math that the little girl described so that you might better understand the math that surrounds us and why she may have a passion about it.
April 22, 2019
Tanco's story and illustrations are perfect! The main character, a young lady with a very supportive and creative family, has tried her hand at everything, but nothing seemed to be "her" except for math, and that's okay. As Tanco writes, "there are infinite ways to see the world." The focus on the character's math journal shows young readers how math just entertained them without them knowing. This book should be in every kindergarten classroom and homeschool library.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada - Tundra Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada - Tundra Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
August 30, 2019
The unnamed girl in Count on Me begins by telling us that everyone has a passion. She shows some of her family members' passions, as well as some of the things she tried that just weren't for her. Then she reveals what her passion is: math. She enjoys looking for it in the world around her, in the form of geometric playground equipment, concentric circles in the water, etc. While this section of the book doesn't go into a lot of detail about mathematical concepts, it serves to present math as a way of seeing the world, as well as to normalize it as something for a girl to do.
At the end of the book, there are several pages describing in more detail how to look for different kinds of math in the real world: fractals, projections, polygons, etc. This section was helpful and gives a more tangible picture of how ubiquitous math is when you know how to look for it. (Despite the title, counting isn't really discussed here.) We enjoyed this book very much, and the watercolor art is beautiful.
(In compliance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I received this book for free through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I was not required to write a positive review.)
At the end of the book, there are several pages describing in more detail how to look for different kinds of math in the real world: fractals, projections, polygons, etc. This section was helpful and gives a more tangible picture of how ubiquitous math is when you know how to look for it. (Despite the title, counting isn't really discussed here.) We enjoyed this book very much, and the watercolor art is beautiful.
(In compliance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I received this book for free through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I was not required to write a positive review.)
July 4, 2019
This little girl’s passion is MATH! Add this to your STEAM collection.
January 24, 2020
A book embracing the passion for Math that is not passionate at all. Cold, distant, a bit boring.
March 13, 2020
What's your passion? For the little girl in this STEM/STEAM picture book; it's math. Math is everywhere in this fun picture book. I loved the text, illustrations and mesaage in this one.
August 23, 2023
this cutie loves math�
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