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Counting story · Free

Luckybug’s Pairing Parade

A six-page garden parade for learning odd and even numbers by making pairs, with a question on every page.

Ages 4–6Odd and even numbers through pairingRead together
Begin the story
Luckybug the ladybird pegs two red flags to a string while Flutter-Butter the butterfly flutters beside them, delighted.
Page 1 of 6 · Flags for the Parade

Luckybug clips a small set of bright flags together for the garden parade. Flutter-Butter checks whether every flag has a partner. They decide every parade group should try marching in pairs.

Try it: Is 2 odd or even?

  • Odd
  • Even
Show the answer

Even. Two is even. Both flags have a partner.

Luckybug points to three ladybird drummers standing in a row with their drums.
Page 2 of 6 · One Without a Partner

A little team of ladybug drummers arrives. Luckybug places a pair side by side, but another drummer still waits nearby. The little drummer does not mind leading, and the friends wonder what one leftover tells them.

Try it: Is 3 odd or even?

  • Odd
  • Even
Show the answer

Odd. Three is odd. One drummer is left over.

Under a garden arch hung with two red bows and two blue bows, Luckybug waves and Flutter-Butter flutters nearby.
Page 3 of 6 · Four Fluttering Ribbons

Flutter-Butter carries a bundle of ribbons. Luckybug places them two by two until every ribbon has a partner. The paired bows can decorate both sides of the parade arch.

Try it: How many pairs are in 4?

  • 1 pair
  • 2 pairs
  • 3 pairs
Show the answer

2 pairs. Four makes two complete pairs.

Luckybug behind two boards of flowers: six yellow flowers in pairs, and five red flowers with one left over.
Page 4 of 6 · The Crooked Flower Row

Two flower rows line the path. One row settles into tidy pairs. The other has one bloom leaning beyond the last pair. Luckybug checks the leftovers instead of guessing from the row length.

Try it: Which number is odd?

  • 6
  • 5
  • Both
Show the answer

5. Five is odd because one flower is left over.

Luckybug points at trays holding two, four and six counters, with an empty tray at the end.
Page 5 of 6 · The Next Parade Group

The parade board shows three growing groups, then an empty space. Luckybug taps each group while Flutter-Butter listens for the next number that can still split into pairs.

Try it: What comes after 6 in this pattern?

  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
Show the answer

8. Eight comes next when we count by twos.

Luckybug leads the parade through the garden gate: two butterflies, two bees, two snails and two caterpillars marching in pairs.
Page 6 of 6 · Everyone Belongs

The marchers reach the garden gate. Friends stand together in pairs, and Luckybug proudly leads at the front. The parade has room for pairs and leaders, and every friend belongs.

Try it: Is 9 odd or even?

  • Odd
  • Even
Show the answer

Odd. Nine is odd: four pairs and one leader.

The end · Great counting

Nine friends marched in the parade. Why did one of them walk at the front?

Talk about the answer

Nine makes four pairs with one left over, because nine is odd. The one left over became the leader, so nobody was left out.

Every marcher found a place! You made pairs, spotted leftovers, and discovered odd and even numbers. SnackPack 123 Counting has more number stories, counting games and ten-frames.

Next storyLuckybug and the Market Morning Mix‑Up

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