Splitting the Herd: A Corral of Odds and Evens

From School Library Journal Grade 1-2-This muddled rhyming tale aims to help children understand the concept of skip-counting. Miss Emma and Cowboy Kirby each have a herd of cows that fences can't keep apart. In an effort to split the herds and keep them on their respective sides, Cowboy Kirby, using skip-counting (1-3-5; 2-4-6), assigns the even-numbered cows to Emma and takes the odd-numbered cows for himself. As the cows continue their escapes, the two ranchers, trying to figure out the math and cows, meet and begin spending time together. Finally, with evens and odds completely mixed up, the two decide to marry and bring the herds together. While the cartoon art, cute cows, and subplot of the two neighbors finding love are endearing, the math story line (even with the author's note at the end) will be confusing for kids and parents alike.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.