Two Ways to Count to Ten

Two Ways to Count to Ten is a retelling of a Liberian folktale featuring King Leopard as he searches for a successor among the animals of the forest. The king devises a test that involves counting and spear-throwing to determine which animal is worthy to inherit his crown. The story brings together the forest animals in a competition that tests more than just their physical abilities. Through the challenge, the creatures must demonstrate wisdom, patience, and creative thinking. This traditional African tale explores themes of leadership, intelligence versus strength, and the value of approaching problems from multiple perspectives. The narrative reinforces the idea that true leadership requires more than just power or speed.

Readers find this African counting tale effective for teaching both math concepts and moral lessons to young children. Parents and teachers report that students ages 4-8 engage well with the story's rhythm and repetition. Likes: - Clear moral about patience and wisdom over physical strength - Susan Meddaugh's illustrations capture animal personalities - Works as both a read-aloud and early reader - Introduces African folklore to young audiences Dislikes: - Some find the writing style basic compared to other folktales - Limited math content despite the counting premise - A few readers note the story feels predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 ratings) "Perfect for circle time - the kids love joining in with the counting," notes one teacher reviewer. A parent writes, "The message resonates but doesn't feel preachy." Multiple reviewers mention successfully using it in elementary math lessons and multicultural units.

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🦁 This tale is a retelling of a traditional Liberian folktale featuring King Leopard and showcases the importance of wisdom over physical strength in African storytelling. 🎭 Author Ruby Dee was not only a writer but also an acclaimed actress who won Emmy, Grammy, and Screen Actors Guild awards, and was a prominent civil rights activist. 📚 The story's underlying message about the value of intelligence aligns with many West African cultural teachings, where clever thinking is often portrayed as superior to brute force. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Susan Meddaugh, went on to create the popular "Martha Speaks" children's book series, which became a PBS television show. 🌍 The counting theme in this story reflects the widespread use of number games and mathematical concepts in traditional African children's stories to teach both cultural values and practical skills.