How Can You Use Literacy to Introduce Multiplication?

I have come across Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwanderin several of Math Solutions lesson books, however today is the first time I have read the book.  It wasn’t until last year that the book actually was ordered for our library.  The book is about a little girl who counts EVERYTHING.  She counts so much that she dreams about counting.  Her teacher and her mother encourage her to multiply because it works better for counting large numbers.  Towards the end of the book Amanda realizes that multiplying REALLY is better than counting everything.  This book would also work well for teachers who are  using CGI strategies with counting collections because on each page there are multiple illustrations of objects to count like squares in window panes, food, wheels, legs, sweaters etc.  Arrays and things that come in groups can easily be discussed after looking at the pictures.   Now I am going to recommend this book to all the teachers who are teaching multiplication.