Nonfiction Monday: Lemonade in Winter, a book about two kids counting money by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Two cheerful siblings run a lemonade stand in winter, despite adults' warnings that they won't sell anything. Happily, they are wrong and the quarters pour in. Not enough to recoup their initial outlay, but enough to get popsicles!

There's lots of counting money throughout the story, mainly quarters and dollars. Every time they sell some lemonade, the older sister explains how much they made. They have to count their quarters to buy the lemons and limes, and then count again when they're done to see their profit. A final section has an explanation of coins, how to tell them apart and how they add up to dollars.

Karas' illustrations are cute, but I would have preferred something more life-like for kids learning to identify money. However, this is a good read-aloud and a few pictures on a flannel board or some real change will help the kids match and compare.

Verdict: An excellent addition to your concept books. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780375858833; Published September 2012 by Schwartz and Wade/Random House; Review copy provided by publisher (used as prize for 10KBK); Purchased for the library