There are ten poems about a certain subject, but they don't involve counting in the poem. That object is then shown in the illustration in the proper number of items. Each has a phrase "and one more", I guess to try to show addition but the illustrated sets are not grouped accordingly. For example there are 4 bumper cars all grouped together and it says "3 bumper cars and one more are 4". Well if they are going to do that I think there should be a set of 3 then a set of 1 as two separate groupings. I like the sidebar box on each page has the number, the images that total to that number, and the word spelled out for the item and the number. For example, poem about bumper car ride, then says in the box "4 bumper cars, four bumper cars" with illustration of 4 small bumper cars lined up. I like that the word and the number are both shown along with the image of that number objects. The poems rhyme and have a good cadence.

The numbers 11 through 20 don't have a poem, just the image of that number of items then the phrase "15 and one more are 16. Sixteen hats" and so on. The only thing that I find confusing is this use of the phrase "and one more" when the illustration doesn't correspond. For example there are 15 balls all grouped together and then it says "14 balls and one more are 15". In another image there are 13 horns then the words "15 and one more are 16" and next to that in another grouping are 3 more horns. If you ask me it should day 13 and 3 more are 16 and in the other images of one large set of items it should simply state there are 15 or however many there really are.

Jesse Bear is counting everyday things that my son can relate to, rocks, sticks and ice cream cones. The illustrations of Bruce Degan are great. My son and I love to just look at the pictures and name all of the different kinds of balls, sticks and ice cream.

This is probably the most disappointing of the Commander Toad books, which my sons, ages 4 and 8, truly ENJOY and even beg for! It is a fun read, but not as outstanding as the other books in this series.

The crew receives a message from a planet inhabited only by doves. It turns out that their beans have swollen and clogged the storm sewer drains, causing the entire planet to flood. Very far-fetched, indeed.

The birds sent an SOS to Star Fleet when their wings grew tired from having no place to land. Mistaking their bird language, Commander Toad's crew brings a shipload of beans, which the birds don't really want. They just need dry ground on which to rest.

In the end, Commander Toad saves the day by swimming underwater to pierce the swollen beans with his official Star Fleet gadget. Then he must hold on to a statue of the Mayor while everything unattached goes down the drain! Swallow your disbelief!

The reason this book is not as good as the remainder of the series is because, in a few cases, the pictures don't mesh with the story. I.e. the text says Doc Peeper goes to the planet's surface, but the image doesn't show him in the sky skimmer. Also, the plot is even more oddball than usual.

Incredibly fun series of books. Try _Commander Toad and the Space Pirates_ or _Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy_.

This is a cute first Jesse bear book for the youngest set, but the text is very light. The wonderful rhymes of the "older" Jesse Bear books are so rich, that this seemes pale by comparison. However, my daughter loves to carry it around and "read" it back to me, and - Hey - That's who I bought it for, isn't it?

. . .but I am not impressed. I understand that this is a Jesse Bear version for the younger set, but I find the text boring. However, that must be an adult's opinion, because I see my daughter coming back to it over and over. . .

Better mind your momma ! You might just get lost in that big barnyard. Can LITTLE CHICK survive all alone ? Meet all the neighbors as LITTLE CHICK explores and learns a life lesson.

I was disappointed in this book. My son and I have truly enjoyed the other books in the Magic School Bus series. They are educational and entertaining. This one, however, goes on and on and on before it eventually gets to a volcano. Poor show.