Mathematics & Measurement, Fiction - Basic Concepts, Counting

Missing Mittens (MathStart)

Name: Missing Mittens (MathStart)
Author: Stuart J. Murphy
ISBN: 9780064467339

by Stuart J. Murphy, G. Brian Karas

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Overview

Missing Mittens

Every animal on Farmer Bill's farm is missing one mitten. Readers can investigate odd and even numbers as they unravel this mitten mystery!

As a farmer tries to find the correct number of mittens for his various farmyard animals, the reader is introduced to odd and even numbers.

Synopsis

Farmer Bill has a problem: Every cow, chicken, and horse on his farm has lost a mitten! Is there a mitten thief lurking about? Readers will help Bill find the culprit and learn about odd and even numbers too—an inportant step in undertanding our number system.

About the Authors:
Stuart J. Murphy is the author of all 33 books in the MathStart series, dedicated to showing children and adults that math is a part of our everyday lives. He lives in Evanston, IL.

G. Brian karas has illustrated Give Me Half! and Elevator Magic. He lives in Rhinebeck, NY.

Children's Literature

This is the latest book in the "MathStart" series of math concept books, all written by this talented author. In this attractive picture book, dealing with the concept of odd and even numbers at level 1, snow is in the air. Dressing for the cold day, Farmer Bill is surprised to discover that he can find only one mitten. A chart labeled odd and even shows the outline of the missing member of the pair. The plot thickens. There are only three mittens to keep his cow's udder warm. Again a chart shows the missing mitten needed to make the even set. Three chickens each have one missing mitten. Clearly five is odd and one more is needed to make an even six. Two horses require eight mittens, but there are only seven to be found. Just in time, Farmer Bill catches the mitten thief. It is the goat. This story will amuse young readers as well as teach them. Two pages suggest activities through which adults and kids can explore the odd/even concept together. 2001, HarperCollins Publishers, $15.95, $15.89 and $4.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Margarette Reid

About the Author, Stuart J. Murphy

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.

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Editorials

Children's Literature

School Library Journal

K-Gr 1-This appealing addition to the series introduces odd and even numbers. When Farmer Bill dresses for outdoor chores on a snowy day, he discovers that he is short one mitten, and "One mitten's not a pair." Proceeding with his work, the farmer soon learns that his cow has the same dilemma. "They looked for her four mittens,/but there were only three." Predictably, the situation escalates. His three chickens have only five, and his two horses have only seven. Finally, Farmer Bill and his animal entourage spot the cause of their problem; it's a mitten-chewing goat. Artfully enhanced by Karas's amusing illustrations, the rhyming text bounces along smoothly. With spectacles perched on the tip of his nose, Farmer Brown wears a comically perplexed look on his face. Colorful borders and warm background colors provide a nice balance to the snowy scenes. Charts help to show the difference between the number of mittens found (odd) and the number needed (even). As in other entries in the series, suggestions for additional activities to extend the math concept are included. This well-executed title works well with or without the math; use it to clarify a concept or read it aloud as an enjoyable winter romp.-Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.