Children - Science & Technology

Millions to Measure

Name: Millions to Measure
Author: David M. Schwartz
ISBN: 9780060848064

by David M. Schwartz, Steven Kellogg

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Overview

Your favorite wizard is back -- and ready to explore the invention of length, weight, and volume measurements. How tall is Moonbeam, the unicorn? How long are the whiskers of Jello, the cat? And just how heavy is that darling hog? Tons and teaspoons and ounces and feet and yards and miles ... what a headache! With millions of things to measure, wouldn't one standard system be simpler?

With another wave of the wand, Marvelosissimo introduces you to the world of metrics and makes it easy to understand the basic pattern of meters, liters, and grams. And with Steven Kellogg's playful and delightfully detailed illustrations, measuring has never been such a blast!

Marvelosissimo the Magician explains the development of standard units of measure, and shows the simplicity of calculating length, height, weight, and volume using the metric system.

Synopsis

Publishers Weekly

About the Author, David M. Schwartz

With the same energy, humor and clarity found in his 50 books, David wows audiences at schools around the United States and beyond. David is an accomplished storyteller and a master at getting kids to think and have fun at the same time. His presentations lead children on entertaining and educational journeys that combine math, science, reading and writing. David also gives keynote presentations and workshops for educators at professional conferences.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Children's Literature

As he did in his book How Much Is A Million? author David M. Schwartz has created a second fun picture book that successfully teaches kids complex concepts. Here, he breaks down measurement systems into bite-size pieces that kids can put together to measure distance, weight, and size. First he explains how foot-long rulers, one-pound blocks, and the royal cup became standard measures. Then he explains that three feet equal a yard and that longer distances are measured in miles. He explains that weight is measured in pounds, that two thousands pounds equals a ton, and that ounces are used for weights less than a pound. All the while, he is leading up to the advantages of using the metric system, which has been adopted by nearly every country in the world. Though the United States has yet to fully adopt the metric system, Schwartz encourages kids to learn it so they can measure "like a world citizen." The colorful illustrations by Steven Kellogg are delightful. 2006, HarperTrophy/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 5 to 12.
—Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt <%ISBN%>0060848065

School Library Journal

Gr 1-5-The creators of How Much Is a Million? (1985) and If You Made a Million (1989, both Lothrop) bring forth another great resource in this book about weights and measures. Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician returns, this time to teach kids about how measurement was developed many years ago, and was first based on feet. The book traces the development of standard units of measure for distance, weight, and volume, then describes the development of the metric system in the late 1700s. A three-page appendix offers more in-depth information about the metric system. Kellogg's trademark whimsical illustrations clarify the concepts presented. As in the previous books, Schwartz presents them in a logical, step-by-step progression, with plenty of examples to provide practical context. The text is clear and brief enough for classroom presentation. This book is sure to join its predecessors as a staple.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician returns, this time tackling measurement, in this latest installment of the winning "millions" series (If You Made a Million, 1989, etc.). In his systematic and logical style, Schwartz presents an enormous amount of information in an impressively clear and concise manner, beginning with the history of standardized measuring units. Through a series of "bright ideas," the narrative arrives in the modern day, delving into current methods of measuring weight, length, and volume in the US. However, as the complexities of these systems are revealed, it seems another bright idea is needed, and--voilà--the metric system is introduced. Kellogg’s busy illustrations are jam-packed with color and exquisite detail. With plenty of dialogue (via text bubbles) and tons of eccentric characters from cavemen to kings to unicorns, the art is as fun to explore as it is functional. To give a sense of real-life scale, inchworms are placed next to foot-long snakes, and a hippo’s water bowl is pitted against a cat’s. Accurately sized rulers are depicted, including a foldout meter at the center. A lengthy author’s note supplies further, detailed information about the metric system and a plea to "think metric" in everyday life. Although Schwartz’s intention is to make a point about the relative simplicity of the metric system, he does not neglect American standards, and thereby keeps the work relevant--it can serve as an introduction to measuring, and can also function as a reference guide. The Schwartz-Kellogg team has got it right again: this should be part of every professional’s collection. (Picture book. 5-12)