1, 2, 3 to the Zoo As Gaeilge

This post is one in an occasional series on (non-rhyming) English-language children's books rendered in Irish. Many of the books profiled can be found easily in a library or purchased online -- in English -- and I will provide an Irish language translation here. I find reading children's books a good way to reinforce language learning or to share the language we love so much with those we love. I hope this series of posts will help you expand your Irish vocabulary in an entertaining way.

1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle is a counting book with no words, which makes it perfect for use in any language. You can use it to practice cardinal numbers with or without nouns. In my example below, I've used it with nouns. On the last page of the board book, you can also count balloons, people, etc.

The title page includes a steam engine (galinneall) and a tender. Does someone with more Irish than I know if there is a word in Irish for 'tender' (as in a part of a train)?

There is a mouse on every page, for which you can use the question "Cá bhfuil an luch?"

aon eilifint amháin
dhá dhobhareach
trí shíoraf
ceithre leon
cúig bhéar
sé ailigéadar
seacht rón
ocht moncaí
naoi nathair
deich éan (dhá ulchabhán, dhá phréachán, dhá phearóid, dhá chorr, agus dhá thúcán

Lipéid: irishblogs, gaeilge, leabhair, leabhair leanaí