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Overview
B is for Binary, F is for Fibonacci, P is for Probability... even a small sample begins to give you the idea that this is a math book unlike any other. Ranging freely from exponents to light-years to numbers found in nature, this smorgasbord of math concepts and trivia makes a perfect classroom companion or gift book for the budding young mathematician at home. Even the most reluctant math student will be drawn in by the author's trademark wit, Marissa Moss's quirky illustrations and funny captions, and the answers revealed in W is for " When are we ever gonna use this stuff, anyway?" Download the G is for Googol Teacher's Guide(300K)
Explains the meaning of mathematical terms which begin with the different letters of the alphabet from abacus, binary, and cubit to zillion.
Synopsis
B is for Binary, F is for Fibonacci, P is for Probability... even a small sample begins to give you the idea that this is a math book unlike any other. Ranging freely from exponents to light-years to numbers found in nature, this smorgasbord of math concepts and trivia makes a perfect classroom companion or gift book for the budding young mathematician at home. Even the most reluctant math student will be drawn in by the author's trademark wit, Marissa Moss's quirky illustrations and funny captions, and the answers revealed in W is for " When are we ever gonna use this stuff, anyway?" Download the G is for Googol Teacher's Guide(300K)
Children's Literature
Math teachers should be delighted because there just aren't that many picture books that feature math. (How Much is a Million, If You Made a Million also by Schwartz, One Grain of Rice by Demi and Math Curse by Scieszka are the ones that come immediately to mind.) The alphabet is used to provide order for a collection of mathematical words. F is for Fibonacci, who is responsible for the adoption of Arabic numerals in the Western World and also discovered the Fibonacci sequence. The book explains the sequence and its occurrence in nature. It is fascinating stuff, and once kids start exploring the book they will probably keep turning the pages. Readers can start anywhere that catches their fancy. If a concept is too difficult (and some are), just try another section and go back later after a few more math classes. There is even a glossary to help the mathematically challenged.
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Math teachers should be delighted because there just aren't that many picture books that feature math. (How Much is a Million, If You Made a Million also by Schwartz, One Grain of Rice by Demi and Math Curse by Scieszka are the ones that come immediately to mind.) The alphabet is used to provide order for a collection of mathematical words. F is for Fibonacci, who is responsible for the adoption of Arabic numerals in the Western World and also discovered the Fibonacci sequence. The book explains the sequence and its occurrence in nature. It is fascinating stuff, and once kids start exploring the book they will probably keep turning the pages. Readers can start anywhere that catches their fancy. If a concept is too difficult (and some are), just try another section and go back later after a few more math classes. There is even a glossary to help the mathematically challenged.School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up-An enchanting alphabet book that will make its audience laugh out loud. Beginning with "A is for Abacus" and ending with "Z is for Zillion," the author takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through important terms and concepts. The text is lively and clear and will appeal to even those who think math is as dull as the kitchen floor. Two particularly clever examples are "R is for Rhombicosidodecahedron" and "W is for `When are we ever gonna use this stuff, anyway?'" The cartoon illustrations are colorful, amusing, and informative. Young people will relate to the characters in these drawings that lend a visual dimension to the text. They will also appreciate the large, spacious pages. A terrific title to instruct and entertain.-Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GAReaders who have so far successfully resisted the math curse will find themselves deftly ensorcelled by this alphabetic tally of mathematics concepts. Between "A Is For Abacus" and "Z Is For Zillion," Schwartz (If You Made a Million, 1989, etc.) takes on binary calculations, units of measurement, exponents, observable phenomena from tessellation to Fibonacci numbers, puzzles, polygons, probability and, for W, "When are we ever gonna use this stuff, anyway?" (His answer: "At school, at home, at play, and at work. Any other questions?") Each topic gets several paragraphs of breezy, accessible discussion, illustrated with labeled, freely drawn ink-and-watercolor figures and supplemented by a large glossary. Despite a few disputesþsome say it is indeed possible to create a Klein bottleþand some too-brief definitions, this overview convinces readers that math is pervasive, inescapable, hugeþand never just egghead territory. (Nonfiction. 9-12)