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This soccer-centered counting book is sure to be a winner with fans young and old. Two sets of text aim for the interest of all ages: rhyming couplets, colorful numbers, and objects to count keep little ones occupied, while older readers will enjoy the facts and history about the sport. Interesting tidbits include the history of the soccer ball, the positions of the players, and some of the rules and equipment needed to play the game. Estrada's drawings are bright and detailed, clearly illustrating the objects to be counted. Both authors and the illustrator do an excellent job of communicating the message that boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds play the sport of soccer. A great read when the player isn't out on the field.
-- Kirkus Reviews, June 2003

Halloween's answer to "The Little Red Hen." While her hollow-tree housemates (a ghost, a bat, and a gremlin) laze around, the little witch does all the "unhousework" --hanging the cobwebs, dirtying the laundry, etc. When she finds some pumpkin seeds and plants them, she discovers that her friends are stubbornly unhelpful at every stage. While the little green witch's question is always, "Who will help me...," the answers are divertingly varied: "'Can't hear you,' said the bat." "'Water, schmater,' grouched the gremlin." As readers will expect, when the witch takes her pumpkin pie out of the oven, everyone is willing to help her eat it. Equally predictable is her refusal to share it. But she has an extra comeuppance up her ragged sleeve, one that will make readers laugh out loud. McGrath has done a fine job of meeting expectations while introducing surprises at every turn. Her gentle humor is amplified by Alexander's sweet and funny watercolor-pastel illustrations. Details like a Mickey Mouse cup on the shelf, a wood crate labeled "Apples," and a cookie jar shaped like a little red hen can be discovered in succesive readings. Children will enjoy this book before, during, and after Halloween.
-- School Library Journal, August 2005

This book gives an overall view of the mathematical operation of subtraction. The story line is based on using the candy "M&M'S® and focuses on sets, writing mathematical expression with the less-than or greater-than sign and comparing sets with each other. The book teaches and demonstrates the vocabulary it uses throughout its pages. Each page of the book deals with an application involved with subtracting sets and numbers. The candy and characters used provide a link to real-life applications and build language skills as well. This book encourages students to think through the processes presented as they are reading. The appropriate grades are first and second grades. Overall, it is a great book that will not only enhance learning, but develop math skills as well.
-- Science Books & Films, July 2005

[McGrath] has chosen a very appealing and relevant subject--baseball--to help teach children to count from one to twenty.... Throughout the book, many opportunities can be found to extend its role as a counting book into other areas of mathematics and into other disciplines.
—Teaching Children Mathematics

An innovative counting book, kids learn to count, add and subtract, and make shapes using M&M's candies. When patient learners get the subtraction part the fun begins - they get to eat the candies.
-- The Young Reader, published by The Boston Globe