3 Little Firefighters (Mathstart Series)

We're missing all our buttons! Three firefighters scramble to find 3 sets of matching buttons before the big parade starts. A lively introduction to the simple math concept of sorting by attributes.

Three young firefighters must find matching sets of buttons to complete their costumes for a parade, but should they sort them by shape, color, or size?

We're missing all our buttons! Three firefighters scramble to find 3 sets of matching buttons before the big parade starts. A lively introduction to the simple math concept of sorting by attributes.

Dianne Ochiltree - Children's Literature

Part of the popular "MathStart" series, this Level 1 picture book is aimed at the youngest mathematicians, and its aim is to teach sorting skills while enjoying a good story. Here, three little firefighters are getting ready for the big parade. But, uh-oh! Their firefighter coats are missing all the buttons. They search the firehouse and find 12 buttons, which they sort into three sets of four in various ways: by shape, size, color, and so forth-with some help from Ink Spot, the firehouse dog. Eventually, they come up with a set of buttons that will keep each of their coats closed and their belly buttons unexposed, just in time to join the parade. Kids will enjoy learning sorting skills while enjoying Bernice Lum's illustrations. The book includes additional learning activities that parents can use with the book as well as other sorting activities they can share with their child. 2003, HarperTrophy/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 to 6.

Stuart J. Murphy is a visual learning specialist. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, he has a strong background in design and art direction. He also has extensive experience in the world of educational publishing. Drawing on all these talents, Stuart J. Murphy brings a unique perspective to the MathStart series. In MathStart books, pictures do more than tell stories; they teach math.

Stuart J. Murphy and his wife, Nancy, live in Boston.