What this kit actually gives you
Stories that Count - Grade 2 is an English-language resource built around four new stories featuring characters Sandy, Maminata and Cody. The kit bundles multiple copies of those stories, a teacher's guide, take-home activities, play money with a tray, and three character puppets.
That combination points to a specific teaching pattern: read and discuss a story as a group, extend it with guided activities, then send something home for families to do together. If you are looking for a single storybook to read aloud, this is more than you need. If you want a ready-made set of grade 2 reading activities that can move between whole-class, small-group and home use, the components line up well.
The components and what each one is for
- Stories that Count - Grade 2: 4 new stories with characters Sandy, Maminata and Cody Four stories give you a short sequence to plan around rather than a one-off read-aloud.
Stories that Count - Grade 2 - Stories that Count - Grade 2: 5 copies of the 4 stories in little book format Five copies of each title support small-group reading without every child needing their own book.
- Stories that Count - Grade 2: Teacher's Guide with activities and handouts The guide is where the lesson planning and printable support sit, so check it fits your teaching style before buying.
- Stories that Count - Grade 2: Take-home activities to do with parents This extends the resource beyond the classroom and makes family involvement part of the plan.
- Stories that Count - Grade 2: Play money and tray A hands-on prop that can support counting and money-themed talk alongside the stories.
- Stories that Count - Grade 2: 3 character puppets Puppets let you bring Sandy, Maminata and Cody into retelling and discussion without extra preparation.
Where the kit fits in a grade 2 program
The strongest fit is a classroom that runs small-group reading rotations. With five copies of each little book, you can put a group on one title while you work with another group, and the teacher's guide gives you activities and handouts to anchor those sessions.
The take-home component also makes this a reasonable choice for schools that want to strengthen the home-school reading link. Families get a structured activity rather than a general instruction to read at home.
For French immersion grade 2 teachers, the key limitation is language: this is an English-language resource. It can still be useful for English language arts time within an immersion program, but it is not a French literacy tool. If your need is French reading material, look at the French titles in the catalog instead.
Questions to settle before you order
- How many copies do you need?: The kit includes five copies of each of the four stories. That suits one guided reading group at a time per title. If you plan to run several groups on the same story simultaneously, you may need more than one kit.
- Do you want the money and puppet components?: The play money, tray and three puppets are part of the package. They are useful for retelling and hands-on counting talk, but they are not separate add-ons you can decline. If you only want the stories and guide, this kit includes more than that.
- Is English the right language for your group?: The resource is English-language. Confirm that matches the literacy block you are planning for.
- What is not confirmed in the supplied information?: The supplied catalog record does not state a specific age range, a list of curriculum outcomes, or detailed safety warnings. Check the product page and packaging for that information before relying on it for a specific grade placement or compliance requirement.
How the price compares and what you are paying for
The catalog lists Stories that Count - Grade 2 at USD 148.50, reduced from a comparison price of USD 225.00. That is a meaningful difference, but the value question is really about how much of the kit you will use.
If you will teach all four stories, use the guide's activities and handouts, send home the family activities, and make use of the puppets and play money, the bundle covers a lot of ground. If you only need one or two stories, or you already have a strong guided reading program with its own materials, the kit duplicates more than it adds.
The price is per kit, and the kit contains five copies of each story. That is worth factoring in when you compare it with buying individual little books, since a single copy of a story would not support group reading.
A realistic view of the trade-offs
The main strength of this kit is that it is complete: stories, group copies, a teacher's guide, home activities and props arrive together. That reduces the planning and sourcing work for a grade 2 literacy unit built around Sandy, Maminata and Cody.
The main trade-off is flexibility. You cannot swap out the puppets or play money for more books, and the kit is built around four specific stories rather than a broad anthology. If your program needs variety across many titles, a kit of four stories may feel narrow.
The supplied information also does not confirm an age range or detailed curriculum alignment. Treat the grade 2 label as a starting point and check the product page for the details your school requires before you commit.
