Is this a counting book? Not quite. Is this a book about the application of numbers in real life? YES. Is this a quirky book filled with obscure and curious facts about numbers? YES. Is this a book to share with a young child? YES but it is also one you could read to much older children too. So, I suggest you add this fabulous book to your library shopping list today.
"One can be one thing all on its own - one star, one stream, one stick, one stone. But those on their toes, those using their smarts, know one can be more than the sum of its parts."
Fact - The idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts comes from Aristotle.
Well, that's got you thinking about one but what about two. A sandwich needs two slices of bread and a marriage is between two people.
Fact - the first recorded sandwich was created in the first century BCE.
Now think about the number three. What would you have put on that page? I am certain you will never guess what Susan Hood has used for this number - a Haiku poem has three lines and the word 'you' has three letters.
Fact - many stories and poems follow the rule of three - Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats and so on. I loved reading the words omen trium perfectum in Latin - trios equal perfection.
And so this book continues with a double spread for each number right up to ten. The pages are split with a reference to the number at the top of each page - a reference younger children will understand - and a fact section in a much smaller font at the bottom of each page which curious children and adult are sure to enjoy.
At the back of the book there is a wealth of material to explore. A source list for each number, a list of kids websites, and generous lists of other things relating to each number from ten back to one.
Before reading this book you could brainstorm with your class all the things you can think of to match each number from one to ten. Then read the book. Then compare your lists with the ones in the book and those provided at the back. Here is the list for my favourite number - three:
- primary colours and three secondary colours
- snowballs on a classic snowman
- teaspoons in a tablespoon
- hands on a clock
- legs on an easel
- three Musketeers
- wheels on a tricycle
- wishes in a genie's lamp
- meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner
- kids in a set of triplets
- members of musical trio
- sides of a triangle
We Are One is another amazing book discovery. This book is why I blog books from everywhere - not just here in Australia. I have said this before, but we are so lucky to have access to books from other English speaking countries and of course also access to fabulous, translated books too. We Are One is from the USA published by Candlewick (they always do fabulous books - in the UK and here they are called Walker Books). The author is from Connecticut and the illustrator is from Canada. The library where I spied this book bought it from a city bookstore here in Sydney, Australia.
Immensely satisfying for young lovers of numbers and fascinating for everyone. Kirkus Star review
Math meets philosophy, as Hood views numbers, specifically groups of one to ten, through a unique and thought-provoking lens: the Aristotelian concept that the whole can be greater — more useful, more remarkable, more valuable — than its individual components. … Textured and whimsical, Yan’s digital illustrations feature a young girl dressed as a golden-yellow star who, ultimately, is joined by a diverse “constellation” of other star-children to celebrate the oneness of humanity. Horn Book
Here is my Maths through Picture Books Pinterest collection.
Here are the books I have mentioned on this blog by Susan Hood:
No comments:
Post a Comment