Dealing with Addition

Children's Literature - Meredith Kiger

A unique approach-practicing addition skills using a deck of cards. The various cards and suits are boldly illustrated and explained, then the author pairs combinations of cards to achieve specific totals. The combinations increase in numerical difficulty from 1 to 10. A new card game called "Dealing with Addition" is explained at the end. A fun way to introduce the old standby, a deck of cards and to "play by the Numbers."

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-A wonderful tool that uses playing cards to teach the addition of whole numbers. More fun and versatile than counting macaroni or dominos (see Long's Domino Addition [Charlesbridge, 1996]), cards also offer a natural introduction to many games. The author clearly outlines the elements of the deck, illustrating and naming the suits and face cards. She then explains different ways to group them: by color, suit, or number and how to add their values to reach a specific total. With this firmly established, Long asks readers to try the same for the numbers 1 through 10. For example, the page that explores the possible combinations for 8 depicts a group of 9 cards of various suits, denominations, and colors, while the text reads "There are eight different ways to get EIGHT with these cards. Pick out all eight of them." The answers are shown on the next page through pictures of the cards with the numeral equations below them. A table of the combinations and the game "Dealing with Addition" conclude the book. Large print and clear full-color illustrations on black or red pages enhance the text. The simplicity, clarity, and potential of this title as a springboard for other mathematically based games makes it a perfect choice for any elementary or public library collection.-Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY