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32 pp.
| Tricycle
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58246-249-3$15.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Shino Arihara.
Via a tour of the seasons, this book provides thought-provoking meditations about zero, upending the notion that zero amounts to nothing. In summertime, "Zero is... / the footprints on the beach / when the waves come in and in and in. / 0 footprints." Franco's lyricism is reflected in Arihara's gouache paintings, which are quiet and contemplative with subtle yet eye-catching details.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2009
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Wayne Geehan.
As guests arrive for King Arthur's birthday party, Sir Cumference and Lady Di attempt a headcount. Early efforts fail until they decide to group by tens, then hundreds. There are some clever math puns, and the Medieval-themed illustrations add humor as a cook frets over feeding the multitudes. However, the story is overlong, and its connection to place value is left for the last page.
32 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-8315-6$16.95
(3)
4-6
This equally eye-catching follow-up to Great Estimations reviews three estimation strategies: eye training, clump counting, and box and count. Photographs of common objects (rubber ducks, popcorn kernels) and more unusual images (skydivers, red blood cells) allow readers to practice their skills while also visually estimating length, weight, size, and volume. Final pages include practice with "Really Big Numbers."
32 pp.
| Millbrook
| September, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8225-7466-8$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Russell Julian.
When Emma's cows gets mixed up with Cowboy Kirby's, he suggests: "Count 1, 2, 3, 4... / Keep the cattle in a line. / Even numbers will be yours. / All the odd ones will be mine." After the cows start roaming, Kirby mistakenly halves his total while Emma's grows and grows. Playful illustrations of mischievous bovines reinforce the story's humor.