Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3

Plot

The number 0 wants to climb up an apple tree, but the numbers from 1 to 99 in counting order come before him and there is no room for him. Then, several bumblebees come and say that it is their tree. While counting backwards, the bumblebees fly around them causing all the numbers, from 1 through 99 (except the number 10 who was hiding), to fall out of the tree. The number 0 now knows where he should be in an apple tree and he joins with the number 10 to make the number 100, which scares the bumblebees away, and all the other numbers come back out and cheer for the numbers 10 and 0.

Development

The publisher, S&S, originally asked Bill Martin, Jr. to write a sequel to his book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. But when he and co-author Michael Sampson turned the manuscript in, it was rejected. That manuscript was published by Henry Holt as the title "Rock It, Sock It, Number Line." Five years later Martin and Sampson wrote a second counting book, and it became Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3.

Reception

The book quickly became a best-seller, and is used by teachers throughout the United States to teach counting and place value to young children.

Awards

The book has won numerous awards from a variety of publications, libraries, and parenting groups, including Best Book of 2004 by Parenting Magazine.

Adaptations

Weston Woods produced an animated cartoon of the book, complete with music and song.