Kate Read is a debut children’s book author and illustrator. She was originally trained as a theater designer, and she graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge with an MA in children’s book illustration. She lives in England with her family. You can visit her website here.

“Lovely, potent, brightly colored illustrations in a combination of textured collage and paint against white space transition to a dark, moonlit backdrop. Little ones will eagerly count in subsequent readings as they also learn new descriptive vocabulary and cheer for the brave hens. A classic scenario flips the script in this engrossing adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Stunning…brilliantly colored…striking…  Just the right amount of tension, delicious vocabulary…and alliterative phrases make this a first purchase for group and one-on-one sharing. Count on requests for many readings.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Surprising, suspenseful…clever…captivating.” —Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Clever…amusing…dynamic… This one wins for its subtle message of power in numbers.” —Publishers Weekly

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“Debut author Read writes with pleasing alliteration… As the book’s subtitle indicates, counting was never so thrilling.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“As charming as it is genuinely gripping.” —Shelf Awareness

“The large pictures are delightful…and offer humor as well as great technique…. Teamwork wins the day, and youngsters will cheer on the ultimately fearless fowl.” —Booklist Online

“A neat and speedy little theatrical piece with lots of room for expressive reading aloud…. Kids blasé about the usual 1-2-3 format will appreciate the enlivening addition of suspense, and they’ll relish moving from ‘reading’ to reading the compact prose.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Award —Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, 2020

Mathical Book Prize (PreK) —Mathical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) / CBC / NCTE / NCTM, 2020

Parents’ Choice Gold Award—Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2019

Notable Children’s Books —ALSC, 2020

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A Baker’s Dozen —Pennsylvania Center for the Book, 2020

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens —Capitol Choices, 2020

Cybils (Fiction Picture Books)—Cybils, 2019

Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended)—Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2020

Outstanding International Books —United States Board on Books for Young People, 2020

Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award (Nominee) —South Dakota Library Association, South Dakota Reading Council, South Dakota State Library, South Dakota Elementary School Principals, 2021-2022

Waterstones Children’s Book Prize (Shortlist, Illustrated Books) —Waterstones, 2020

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2020

Best Books for Kids —New York Public Library, 2019

CCBC Choices (Concept Books) —Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2020

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Kate Read is a debut children’s book author and illustrator. She was originally trained as a theater designer, and she graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge with an MA in children’s book illustration. She lives in England with her family. You can visit her website here.