Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, School Day Math

The bright, gummy-like teddy bears that appeared in Teddy Bear Counting and Teddy Bear Math return to explore math skills that readers might encounter in school. A rhyming song based on the “Patty-cake, Patty-cake” nursery rhyme incorporates counting, addition, and subtraction: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,/ pat your head./ Are there fewer/ yellow or red?” Nihoff works familiar aspects of the school day into the digital illustrations, including studying math and science, playing at recess and in phys ed, and sitting on the rug (“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,/ touch the floor./ Which group of bears has just four?”), while the bears tumble, celebrate, and dress up in costumes for a theatrical production. Young readers should find it easy yet gratifying to count the chunky, colorful bears. Ages 4–7. (July)