1,2,3 The Castles I See A Counting Book
Bronze Medal Winner of the 2023 Wishing Shelf Book Picture Book Award.
Published by Leaning Rock Press LLC, September 2022
It is a perfect day to make sandcastles at the beach. All it takes is a shovel, a pail of water, and a little imagination. One castle can have colorful seaweed. Another can have sticks. A third can have shells or pretty stones. There are so many choices. Count them and see how many different ones there are.
Author-illustrator Sarah Downie collaborated with Deborah Motycka Downie to create this beach-themes counting book. Written in simple rhyme, the beautifully illustrated story describes ten different sandcastles made by ten friends. As children count from one to ten, they will recognize that everyone has their own creativity and individualism. Each one is different, and so are we.
This book was published by Leaning Rock Press, LLC, and is fun for all ages.
Come Count and Create Sandcastles!
PRAISE
“A sweetly written book for introducing simple counting to young children. The vibrant illustrations add hugely to the appeal. Perfect for an infant school library.”
— Schoolteacher, Reader
I liked this book! I did a sandcastle when I went to Skegness last summer. It was fun. I like all of them in the book!
- 5 year old, Reader
“It’s wonderful to see a simple counting picturebook filled with so much imagination. my son and I really enjoyed reading it - and learning! Excellent school resource - and good for home learning too!”
— Mom of 5 year old, Reader
“I think a sandy counting book is a FAB idea. When I was reading it, I so wanted to go to the beach!”
- 6 year old, Reader
I created the illustrations using a combination of watercolor, colored pencil, gouache, digital, and cut paper medium.
My mom, Debbie Motycka Downie, co-authored the book. She is a geologist, and grandmother who lives in Stonington, CT. She loves to travel and, like me, loves the beach. She was excited to have the opportunity to collaborate on this book and hopes to work together again in the future.
