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TEN SLY PIRANHAS
​Author: William Wise
​Illustrator: Victoria Chess

Number of pages: 40
Publisher: Voyager Books Harcourt Inc. (USA)​
First published in: 2001
Format: Picturebook 

Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes
Is this story part of a mathematics story series? No

Click here to preview and/or purchase this book via the Amazon (UK) website ​

Synopsis by the author/publisher
Ten sly piranhas are swimming in a river, but one at a time they disappear, until there is only one left. Now that this proud overeater is the only surviving piranha, he is confident that he can eat anybody. But while he may be the cleverest fish in the river, he is no match for the giant crocodile lurking on the bank. Children will love learning to count backward in this crafty tale about one very hungry piranha.

“Nine sly piranhas were swimming in the river, Nine little tricksters, who were lying there in wait. Then one said, "My dear, you can trust me like a brother!" And with a gulp, and a gurgle - there were only eight.”

Recommended age range: 
4+ years old 

Relevant mathematics topics: 
Counting forwards to and backwards from 10/20

​Possible teaching activities:
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