How many ways can one group of puppies add up to ten? In Lynn Reiser’s playful concept book, the ten puppies have varying characteristics that are counted ten different ways. Each two-page spread highlights the differences of one particular feature that separate the puppies into two groups (e.g., “Seven had floppy ears. Three had pointy ears.”). A final page summarizes these differences as the simple mathematical equations they are (7+3=10). Bold watercolors were used to create this unlikely but appealing litter. (Ages 3–6)

Woof! Mother Dog has TEN puppies.
Nine have pink tongues.
One has a blue tongue.
Eight have pointed noses.
Two have flat noses.
Seven have floppy ears.
Three have perky ears ... Yip! Yip! Ten puppies group
and regroup.
Mother dog counts
and recounts.
9 + 1 = 10
8 + 2 = 10
7 + 3 = 10 ... Arf! Arf! Mother Dog has TEN puppies.
No two are exactly alike.
Each is remarkable.
And, added together,
they equal a family. Rrufff!