Rabbit's Pajama Party (MathStart)
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Overview
At Rabbit's pajama party everyone is eating pizza, telling scary stories, and curling up in their sleeping bags. And what these friends do first, next, and last demonstrates the math concepts of sequencing — the logical order of events.
A group of animal friends have fun at a pajama party while demonstrating activities that happen in a particular order or sequence.
Synopsis
At Rabbit's pajama party everyone is eating pizza, telling scary stories, and curling up in their sleeping bags. And what these friends do first, next, and last demonstrates the math concepts of sequencing — the logical order of events.
Children's Literature
Rabbit invites friends over for dinner and a sleepover. The child's task, upon having the story read, is to recreate the events in proper sequence; and this is termed "math." The practice of putting elements in order is indeed an exercise in logic, and logic can be termed "math," but it is necessary, for the logic to be impeccable in order for the exercise to be worthwhile. In this story, the elements of the tale, while loosely connected, do not have to occur entirely in the sequence that they do; with the result that the child may experience failure in exact "sequencing" and the further result that the "logic" exercise is too inexact to be pedagogically sound. There is no limit to the number of good stories for children that would accomplish the same educational feat as this rather contrived story about the rabbit who apparently eats, drinks, makes sundaes, dons pajamas, poses for photos and tells scary stories (after playing shadow puppets) in what is arguably an arbitrary order. I would not recommend this book--which is not to say that others in the series are not viable. Part of the "MathStart" series, level 1.
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Rabbit invites friends over for dinner and a sleepover. The child's task, upon having the story read, is to recreate the events in proper sequence; and this is termed "math." The practice of putting elements in order is indeed an exercise in logic, and logic can be termed "math," but it is necessary, for the logic to be impeccable in order for the exercise to be worthwhile. In this story, the elements of the tale, while loosely connected, do not have to occur entirely in the sequence that they do; with the result that the child may experience failure in exact "sequencing" and the further result that the "logic" exercise is too inexact to be pedagogically sound. There is no limit to the number of good stories for children that would accomplish the same educational feat as this rather contrived story about the rabbit who apparently eats, drinks, makes sundaes, dons pajamas, poses for photos and tells scary stories (after playing shadow puppets) in what is arguably an arbitrary order. I would not recommend this book--which is not to say that others in the series are not viable. Part of the "MathStart" series, level 1.School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1 A group of animals meet at Rabbit's house for dinner and a sleepover. The friends eat pizza, make ice-cream sundaes, get into pajamas, act a little silly, tell scary stories, and go to sleep. This is a very simple approach to the concept of time sequencing. Young children can identify food, clothing, animals, and colors; and there is just enough familiar activity (sharing a meal, getting ready for bed) for them to understand. The colors are bright and appealing, the cartoon artwork is simple and uncluttered, and the print is large and clear for beginning readers. The last two pages provide suggestions "For Adults and Kids" who want to explore the math concept presented here. Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.paper 0-06-446722-8 New to the MathStart series is this quick take on sequencing, although almost any story with a beginning, middle, and end would serve as well. A sleepover is the premise; Rabbit invites his friends Mouse, Giraffe, and Elephant to the party. The action is described in a few short rhyming sentences that outline the order of events. Friends are invited inside, a pizza dinner is gobbled up, juice follows dinner, and ice cream sundaes for dessert conclude the meal. At bedtime, the four friends pull on their pajamas and zip themselves into sleeping bags while Rabbit's mother takes a picture. Hand shadows and scary stories come with lights out, until Mouse is heard snoring peacefully. Just when it appears that it may be a stretch to locate the math involved, a final page asks, "What Happened at Rabbit's Pajama Party?" to prompt children to think about what happened first, next, and last. Although Remkiewicz wiggles out of showing "hot fudge" by present a bottle of chocolate syrup instead, no one will question the accuracy of his animals' zeal; they are all smiles, delightfully displaying silly expressions. Characteristically, the final spread offers tips and suggestions for adults who may want to extend the sequencing concept with follow-up activities. (Picture book. 2-4)