The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe!

Grab your copy today

Bookshop Barnes & Noble BookPeople Amazon

One, two, three . . . Wait, who am I missing? The Blunder kids’ head count somehow keeps falling short in this funny and familiar tale.

It’s not even lunchtime, and already the ten Blunder children have messed up the laundry, the bathtub, and taking care of the animals. They are driving their mother up the wall. So she sends them out to play with just two rules: keep track of one another and make sure everyone is home by sunset. As the day draws to an end, each Blunder tries counting the others — forward and backward, in English and Spanish, and even by twos and three — but comes up with only nine. Uh-oh! Will their mother forgive the biggest blunder of all? Inspired by a common folktale, Christina Soontornvat shares a humorous story about ten kids who just can’t get things right, while Colin Jack’s adorable artwork lets readers in on the joke that each child is forgetting to count him- or herself.

Candlewick Press, Illustrated by Colin Jack
ISBN-10: 1536201093
ISBN-13: 978-1536201093

PRAISE

At the end of a day spent outside, 10 siblings each take a turn counting themselves and come up one short. What will they tell their mother?…This could lead to some storytime or classroom counting fun. 
Kirkus Reviews
Join the mystery as the Blunders try to figure out what has happened to one of them. Youngsters will have fun reading this humorous story about all of the mix-ups the Blunders get themselves into. Wrapped up in all the hilarity and smiles is a good lesson about counting.

Over-sized and hard-backed, this book contains colorful illustrations on every page. Just as medicine goes down better with something sweet, learning is better when it is done in a fun way.

This book is a good example of that. Almost without a child knowing it, they will understand the importance of numbers and counting correctly while enjoying this entertaining story. I recommend this 5-star book to young readers up to 8 years old or to be read to preschoolers.
Pooke, Amazon Reviewer
All along, Soontornvat (a Newbery honoree for “A Wish in the Dark”) skillfully uses tropes to throw us off. Introduce a young, woebegone heroine questing after a flying monster for glory and the reader can’t help chasing the dragon with her. 
The New York Times Book Review
This bighearted, moving tale of finding one’s place and living by a moral compass is eminently seaworthy and set in a rich, thoughtfully built world. 
Shelf Awareness (STARRED Review)
Action drives the narrative forward, creating a real page-turner with intriguing characters whose individual goals lead to inevitable, sometimes violent clashes. Blending Age of Sail historical fiction, adventure, and fantasy within a Thai-inspired setting, this original novel will leave readers hoping for sequels.
Booklist
With emphasis on an intricate plot and quick, accessible prose, Soontornvat provides plenty of excitement while bringing questions of expansionism and de-colonization to young readers.
The Horn Book
With action that moves faster than a ship under full sail, The Last Mapmaker is a Thai-inspired fantasy brimming with adventure, surprises and betrayal.
BookPage
A deftly told story with a strong anti-colonialist vibe.
The Wall Street Journal 

MORE PICTURE BOOKS