Mathematics & Measurement, Counting

Shark Swimathon (MathStart)

Name: Shark Swimathon (MathStart)
Author: Stuart J. Murphy
ISBN: 9780064467353

by Stuart J. Murphy, Lynne Cravath

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Overview

Shark Swimathon

The Ocean City Sharks have to swim 75 laps by the end of the week, and every day they figure out how many laps are left to go. Swimming and subtraction are all part of the fun!

As members of a swim team do laps to qualify for swim camp, readers can practice subtracting two-digit numbers to see how many laps are left to go.

Synopsis

A team of sharks is determined to make it to swim camp and become the best swimmers in Ocean City. But they won't make it if they can't swim 75 laps by the end of the week. How many laps are left to go? This entertaining story with lively art teaches readers various ways to apply the concept of two-digit subtraction..

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.

Lynne Cravath illustrated The Penny Pot for the MathStart series. She lives in Phoenix, AZ.

Children's Literature

Shark Swimathon is a picture book that features a group of young sharks engaged in a contest in order to attend a large swim meet. The team has to swim 75 laps in four days. Each day the coach counts the number of laps each shark swims, adds them together and subtracts the total from the previous day's total. The story revolves around how many laps are left after each day of practice. The sharks learn they have to work together in order to swim all their laps, and they learn how to do double-digit subtraction. The book includes examples of other ways to do subtraction and games that adults and children can play together. The premise of the book and the artwork are very good, including illustrations of the coach subtracting each day's laps from the total. While it is unusual to see a picture book featuring sharks, the story and examples are solid. 2001, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Danielle Williams

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

Gr 1-3-The Ocean City Sharks swim team needs money to attend swim camp. Fortunately, a local bank has promised to send them if the sharks can swim a total of 75 laps by the end of the week. Each day, Coach Blue subtracts the number of laps completed from the total, providing examples of two-digit subtraction. Bright cartoons show a group of enthusiastic sharks carrying book bags and wearing colorful bathing suits. The coach writes the math problems out on a big sign and discusses each new subtraction, allowing readers to follow along and cheer the team on. Regrouping is included, but the concept of changing tens into ones is not fully explained. Still, this entertaining story would work well as a supplement to lessons on two-digit subtraction.-Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.