The First Book of Numbers

The First Book of Numbers Angela Wilkes and Claudia Zeff Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright Consultant: Wyn Brooks Usborne Publishing Ltd., London, 1982 Hardcover, large format. 46 pages. ISBN 0 86020 665 3 / 978-0-86020-665-1. Condition: New / As New. An exceptionally clean, bright, and tight copy. Boards are crisp with no fading, rubbing, or edge wear. Spine is square and uncreased. Endpapers and all pages are clean, unmarked, and free from any writing, colouring, or foxing. Illustrations remain vivid. A superb, essentially unused example of this classic large-format Usborne title. First published in 1982, this is the original large-format hardcover of The First Book of Numbers, one of Usborne’s early and most engaging introductions to mathematical concepts for young children. The book is carefully structured to encourage exploration rather than rote learning. It begins with basic counting and one-to-one correspondence, then moves through sets and subsets, comparison, ordering, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement (length, weight, time), shapes and solids, and the history of counting. Later sections include “amazing number facts,” number puzzles, magic squares, triangular and square numbers, and a simple glossary of mathematical terms. Throughout, the text poses open-ended questions designed to promote discussion between children and adults. A small yellow duck is hidden on every double-page spread — a hallmark of Stephen Cartwright’s work that turns each page into a game of discovery. The book also includes a ready reckoner multiplication/division grid and practical activities such as making simple clocks. Authors Angela Wilkes is a prolific and award-winning author and editor of children’s non-fiction. She has written numerous titles for both Usborne and Dorling Kindersley, including cookbooks, language guides, activity books, and early-learning titles. Her style is noted for clear, engaging presentation that makes information accessible and enjoyable for young readers. Claudia Zeff is a children’s author best known for her work with Usborne, particularly the popular “Find It” board book series (Find the Duck, Find the Puppy, Find the Kitten, etc.) and retellings of classical myths such as Jason and the Golden Fleece and The Amazing Adventures of Hercules in the Usborne Young Reading series. Illustrator Stephen Cartwright (1947–2004) was one of the most recognisable and beloved British children’s illustrators of the late 20th century. He joined Usborne Publishing shortly after its founding and went on to illustrate more than 150 books that sold millions of copies worldwide. His work is characterised by warm, detailed, open-faced characters and a gentle humour that never tips into sentimentality. He is particularly famous for incorporating a tiny yellow duck into nearly every illustration — a device first popularised in The First Thousand Words (1979) that delighted generations of children. The First Book of Numbers is a fine example of his mature style: busy, colourful, full of incident, and perfectly matched to the educational purpose of the text. Publisher Usborne Publishing, founded by Peter Usborne in 1973, quickly became known for innovative, high-quality non-fiction and early-learning books that combined rigorous content with lively illustration and interactive elements. This title belongs to the company’s formative period and shares the same visual language and educational philosophy as the celebrated First Thousand Words series. This is an excellent copy of a much-loved early Usborne book, ideal for collectors of Stephen Cartwright’s work, Usborne first editions, or anyone seeking a high-quality example of 1980s British children’s non-fiction. The combination of clear educational content, Cartwright’s inviting illustrations, and the interactive “find the duck” element continues to make it highly appealing more than forty years after publication. …