Jig, Fig, and Mrs. Pig Book

Hayes’ concept book couches counting in a tale of the “weak” triumphing over the “strong.” As the nine ducks lure Mr. Fox deeper and deeper into their trap, readers follow their trail as it traverses full bleed, double page spreads of pastoral watercolors anchored by outlines. The repetitive text and winnowing number of identical white ducks heightens the tension and sense of impending doom until it crescendos with Mr. Fox’s comeuppance. This role reversal—the hunter becoming the hunted—is cleverly telegraphed by the visual uniqueness of the sole remaining duck. The presence of the narrative makes this a number book suitable for learning readers. Moreover, the simplicity of the plot makes it an excellent choice for facilitating a reasoned discussion among high school students about the use of repetition as a rhetorical strategy—helping them progress from merely identifying this technique to analyzing its significance and impact.