Once upon a time, Goodreaders, elementary school-level books did NOT have illustrations that were PhotoShopped. And yet somehow we children survived aOnce upon a time, Goodreaders, elementary school-level books did NOT have illustrations that were PhotoShopped. And yet somehow we children survived and thrived.
Personally I'm very glad I did not have to endure terrible illustrations that have been PhotoShopped for my reading pleasure. such as the very first illustration, on Page 4.
It shows a big, five-pointed star, bright red. Okaaaaaaay.
Only a girl's image has been PhotoShopped onto one of the flat edges, as if she's sitting on one of the edges leading to one of the points of this two-dimensional star.
The hapless child model has been PhotoShopped in such a way that she is partly ON the star edge and partly bulging OVER the star edge, in a way that any three-year old could tell . . .
Completely smashes the illusion that she could be SITTING on that red star. You can see the clumsily rendered edge of her butt, clad in denim. Never could this little girl be actually sitting on that red star.
And besides, where is the photo supposedly occurring in reality? The big star is suspended on its own, amid a stark white background. How can the little girl pictured here even breathe? Apart from her, there's no sign of life.
INCIDENTALLY, THE COVER OF THIS BOOK SHOWS AN EQUALLY PHONY SCENE
Three child models are unconvincingly PhotoShopped onto a yellow star. Supposedly they are playing. Yet, clearly, they're not.
Does the publisher of the book understand that elementary schoolkids are MORE observant than adults like me, not less?
RATING THIS BOOK
The text is clever. Usually I like books written by Mary Elizabeth Salzmann. For that reason I'll give this book FIVE STARS, although the PhotoShopped artwork couldn't be worse. ...more
The author of this book has chosen a storytelling approach to helping kids to recognize squares. It's a first person narrative. Repeating examples of The author of this book has chosen a storytelling approach to helping kids to recognize squares. It's a first person narrative. Repeating examples of what "I see."
Almost as though the word SQUARE were as dreaded as the name VOLDEMORT, the author coyly (or superstitiously?) refrains from using the word SQUARE in what follows.
Pretty troubling to me, many of the "SQUARES" pictured here are obviously "CUBES." Not squares at all!
THIS STORY GIVES US A DISJOINTED TOUR OF SQUARES AND CUBES
"Some are hot." Referring to a stock photo of square ravioli squares. (Only they're obviously not really hot, since no steam rises from anywhere in the photo. And the white flour dough looks as though it has been sitting around too long, starting to appear congealed.)
"Some are old." This stock photo is a puzzler. Nothing in this photo looks "old" to me, not the immaculate square of wall, with bricks painted a variety of shades. Nor the gold frame around it, and not the perfectly polished floorboards.
PERHAPS THIS BOOK IS MEANT TO BE A SORT OF PUZZLE
If I were a school student, I'd lose interest pretty fast.
This adult has. Yet, as a form of charity for this exceptionally clueless author, I'll rate this book at FIVE STARS. Besides, it could have been worse. I suppose. ...more
Once again, sadly, author D.H. Dilkes has offered children a pretty implausible "story."
I'm reviewing this book fresh from her similar book, "I See ReOnce again, sadly, author D.H. Dilkes has offered children a pretty implausible "story."
I'm reviewing this book fresh from her similar book, "I See Rectangles."
Once again, there is an unnamed narrator. A narrator who is frustratingly inconsistent.
On Page 5, this narrator proclaims, "I see triangles."
The accompanying photo shows colorful triangular pennants. These have been threaded with near-invisible cords. The sort of thing I've seen at my neighborhood swimming pool, only when there's a swim meet.
Definitely, these are triangles.
BUT SOON AS YOU TURN THE PAGE, THERE'S A PROBLEM
"Do you?" asks the narrator.
Only this time the accompanying photo shows a smallish Egyptian pyramid! With three even smaller pyramids nearby.
And what else? There are many tourists on camels.
In my neighborhood, I've seen pennants by the pool. But never a desert scene, complete with camels and pyramids.
Who the heck is this narrator?
THE OCCASIONAL RHYMES ARE MORE OF A VEXATION THAN A HELP
For instance, consecutive two-page spreads treat us to this rhyme:
Is this more than two? [That is, are there more than two triangles in this illustration? Incidentally, there's no background at all.]
One is by a street. [Yes, this a completely different Southwestern background. The road includes a yield sign.]
One my dog gets into. [The reference here is to a doghouse. One with a rectangular entrance for the dog to go through, yet there's a triangle highlighted in neon yellow, a triangle as one small part of the front of the doghouse, above that rectangular entrance.]
RATING THIS BOOK
The pictures are pretty. The intent is laudable.
As for the rest of the book? I find it nearly incomprehensible. THREE STARS in case this book makes more sense to a five-year-old than to this Goodreader....more
The author of this book has chosen a storytelling approach to helping kids to recognize rectangles. It's a first person narrative. Repeating the refraThe author of this book has chosen a storytelling approach to helping kids to recognize rectangles. It's a first person narrative. Repeating the refrain "On one I..."
One means on this kind of rectangle, I do [thus and such].
Even as an adult, and an English major in college, and a professional writer for decades, I found that refrain hard to follow. I kept asking myself, "On one WHAT?"
Also a bit confusing to me is the "story" aspect.
WHO IS THAT NARRATOR?
Who is this unnamed narrator? On Page 11 it reads, "On one I write." By this is meant, "on one rectangular page in a notebook." A little boy is pictured.
Okay, this story must belong to a little boy, right?
WHY HAS THAT NARRATOR SUDDENLY CHANGED, JUST 'CAUSE I TURNED THE PAGE?
Because when I turn the page, a kid is writing on something different.
The text reads: "One to show what I know" -- which is a preposterous idea, really, isn't it? This kid is writing on a whiteboard with a marker. No one whiteboard would be large enough to include all that this 8-year-old knows.
Even more mystifying, this time a little girl is pictured.
What the heck?
RATING THIS BOOK
I'll give it FOUR STARS for including a story. That could humanize the learning. At least in theory....more
Is it enough that this engaging book can introduce young minds to "fun stuff"? Apparently not for the publisher or author. Since it claims that readerIs it enough that this engaging book can introduce young minds to "fun stuff"? Apparently not for the publisher or author. Since it claims that readers can become "an expert."
How do you react to the idea of expertise at science as a kind of participation trophy hobby?
FUN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ARE INCLUDED HERE
* Did you know that comets are sometimes called “hairy stars?”
* Or imagine this. If you saw a sunset on the moon, the sun would look white. That's because the moon doesn’t have an atmosphere.
SURE THIS BOOK IS LOADED WITH PERSONALITY
And cute illustrations and a lighthearted tone and many fun facts.
But I can't get over the lie about becoming ANY kind of "expert" with a book at such an introductory lecture. Only THREE STARS, due to that....more
In theory, cylinders seem like odd shapes, don't they? Kind of circular at the end. Kind of long in the middle. And THIS is supposed to be an importa In theory, cylinders seem like odd shapes, don't they? Kind of circular at the end. Kind of long in the middle. And THIS is supposed to be an important kind of shape???
Sure is, if you've ever had a bucket of chalk . . . Like the little girl picture on the cover.
Or you've ever had lemonate from a cooler with that very same cylindrical kind of shape. Awesome!
When readers like me are invited to search for cylinders, I'm glad. Never before in my life have I let the concept click into place.
For instance, some of the poetic language in this book goes like this:
"Cylinder of windows to the sky."
Who would have thought of that?
FIVE STARS for a book to help STEM kids, and maybe inspire architects too!...more
These books are as addictive as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Only here we have stealth lessons in rounding numbers . . . teaming up with two clThese books are as addictive as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Only here we have stealth lessons in rounding numbers . . . teaming up with two cleverly named characters, Steward Edmund Rounds and Sir Cumference.
In this witty tale, Rounds and Cumference notice that there strangers have camped nearby. Not good. Our guys have good reason to learn how to round numbers, that is, learning how to make accurate counts of the castle's stores of food, supplies, and weaponry. Since they're tasked with helping King Arthur prepare for a serious battle.
Will Rounds II be able to figure out how many bows and arrows they'll have available? How about designing the best possible battle plan? Will Rounds 2 manage to help stave off a potentially disastrous attack?
To give you a sense of the flavor of this delightful book, I'm going to quote from Page 28.
A castle guard peered through an arrow slit. "They're busy as bees down there!" he yelled.
"Busy as BEES?" thought Rounds 2. This gave him an idea.
He rushed to the rampart, shook the skeps, and pushed them over the edge of the wall.
Poetry, stories, and paintings give a unique liveliness to this book that illustrates -- over and over -- the principle of TEN TIMES BETTER.
Each pair Poetry, stories, and paintings give a unique liveliness to this book that illustrates -- over and over -- the principle of TEN TIMES BETTER.
Each pair of pages is so outrageously clever, I'd best let a sample serve. Giving you Goodreaders an idea of the fun to be had in this book. Let's take a look at what's on offer on Pages 12 and 13.
PAGE 12 The illustration shows a warthog. (I think it's a warthog. Not positive.)
I'm sure the foremost number's FOUR. For handsome tusks, the wild boar is tops, though some might also choose a warthog or male babirusa.
PAGE 13 The illustration shows a frog with a lot of warts.
Four's fun for sure. But if you're warty, more is better. I have FORTY. That's why princesses like frogs TEN TIMES BETTER than warthogs.
Readers will discover a clever, engaging premise for this book on subtraction. Hint: This is not just a book about subtraction!
Intended readers are inReaders will discover a clever, engaging premise for this book on subtraction. Hint: This is not just a book about subtraction!
Intended readers are in second, third, and fourth grade.
As for the premise, imagine this. A team called the Ocean City Sharks must swim 75 laps by the end of the week. Each day they figure out how many laps are left to go. You know, by subtracting.
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE SPLENDID STORY
From facing Pages 16 and 17:
All the Sharks arrived early on Thursday. "I hope we can make it," said Stripes, looking at the sign. "I hope so too," Gill said.
The gorgeously colorful illustration shows the math work. Keeping score, only 44 laps are left to swim.
RATING THIS BOOK
No problem to me, giving this book FIVE STARS! ...more
What a super-creative and colorful approach to subtraction!
By far the most visually creative book I've seen yet about subtraction, the photographs makWhat a super-creative and colorful approach to subtraction!
By far the most visually creative book I've seen yet about subtraction, the photographs make great use of all the ways that toys and puppets can turn subtraction into an excellent kind of game.
What kinds of toys and puppets?
* Finger puppets of a bunny, a lamb, a lion, and a mouse * Toy dinosaurs * Crazy-colorful monsters * The cutest little yellow birds ever, birds that "look alive" * 10 adorable fuzzy dogs
When you think of a carnival, Goodreaders, do you think this? "What a fabulous setting to practice your division!"
As it happens, that turns out to be When you think of a carnival, Goodreaders, do you think this? "What a fabulous setting to practice your division!"
As it happens, that turns out to be true. Thank you, Stuart J. Murphy and illustrator George Ulrich for this fascinating, adventurous, educational spin on carnival rides.
Cleverly, eleven "best" friends learn how to divide so they can fill up the seats on each ride.
What incentive to do the math! Here's the example of riding the Satellite Wheel.
* It holds 3 people per chair. * Each chair must have 3 in order for the group to ride. * The pals can easily fill three chairs, but 2 friends are left over.
What to do? Add one more kid to ride along with the friends.
And a friendly FIVE STAR rating is my conclusion, obv....more
I'm thrilled to rate and review this magnificent book that aims to enrich early math. First, though, I want to get something off my chest.
Seeing here I'm thrilled to rate and review this magnificent book that aims to enrich early math. First, though, I want to get something off my chest.
Seeing here on Goodreads that so far this book has garnered only 2 1/2 STARS? That's painful to me.
Look, I had the privilege of a half-finished master's degree in Elementary Education. Since then I've taught adults, not children. (Unless you count my son.) Basically, I am a teacher. For that reason . . . .
When I see dismissive ratings for a book like this, it's so wrong. Adults, when you read books like this, what are you looking for? Do you ever think about the pedagogic design of a book, its objectives, its ingenuity?
I really wish you would. Because it's just plain wrong to rate this book in terms like, "Does this title excite me as a jaded adult?"
THAT SAID, THIS BOOK GIVES A VERSION OF WHAT'S IDEAL, FOR KIDS WHO ARE LEARNING ABOUT NUMBERS
The nameless heroine of this book is thrilled by counting. She makes up a number game, stretching her understanding by using numbers from:
* The ONES place * The TENS place * The HUNDREDS place * The THOUSANDS place
Mathematical reasoning is used too, used plausibly. So fascinatingly!
FIVE STARS to this brilliantly educational book....more
Like many effective teaching books that target first graders (give or take a year), this picture book is strong on story.
Why is that? Because these kiLike many effective teaching books that target first graders (give or take a year), this picture book is strong on story.
Why is that? Because these kids are putting together their sense of the world. As well as learning skills like how to count, and why to value counting, and how counting can supplement all the emotional learning that comes naturally to most children.
This is a highly evocative story. Choosing a puppy? Such a big deal!
IN PARTICULAR, I COMMENT THE WRITING
Let me share with you Goodreaders how this story begins. Could the writing be any more superb? I doubt it.
Of course, before you read the following quotation, put on your listening ears. Put on those ears as though you were just five years old, and all the world was so new, and your heart was big enough to wrap around everyone and everything -- animal or vegetable or mineral.
My mom is taking me to the pound today. I am going to bring home a puppy.
FIVE STARS of deep respect for Paula Pertile, the authr, and Zachary Wilson, the illustrator.
Fellow Goodreaders, I hope you have had a certain educational experience. You're in a classroom where the teacher is connecting to all the students. AFellow Goodreaders, I hope you have had a certain educational experience. You're in a classroom where the teacher is connecting to all the students. All of them are listening with rapt attention. They are so thrilled at what they're learning.
A lively learning space. To me, this is like one of the seven wonders of the world.
Well, a version of that is right in this simple book. The stories and illustrations are hardly props. Seems to me, the engage those young students to open up to the possibilities inherent in essential math concepts.
This is no small thing, learning how to learn odd numbers up to 19. FIVE STARS for this utterly brilliant book!...more
It hadn't been invented yet, not when I went to elementary school. But this book clinches it. I would have LOVED celebrating the one hundredth day of It hadn't been invented yet, not when I went to elementary school. But this book clinches it. I would have LOVED celebrating the one hundredth day of school. Reading this book now, I feel such joy and wonderment. Yes, some of that is rubbing off on me.
Activities are written about, augmented with cleverly sweet illustrations. You can almost feel like there in the room with those kids.
Celebrating how?
* By making a hat with 100 stickers. * Everyone being quiet for 100 seconds * Recycling 100 cans.
FIVE STARS for this contagiously delightful book: Math taught as a main dish, with wonder added -- akin to having some fabulous french fries added to your plate....more
Goodreaders, remember what it is like to be a certain kind of young person? When, for an entire day, you're learning about an earth-moving concept. SuGoodreaders, remember what it is like to be a certain kind of young person? When, for an entire day, you're learning about an earth-moving concept. Such as a circle.
To us, as adults, such concepts are okay. But when we were aged 3-7 or so, an entire day's learning and loving and thinking ... could involve recognizing ... The Circle.
Photos in this magnificent book help readers to learn along with the unnamed narrator. Facing pages show a photo and very relevant text. For example:
* A basketball hoop, with an advancing basketball is the picture. The caption on the facing page reads "A big one for a ball."
* The picture of a yummy pizza on the left page. The caption on the facing page reads "And one I can eat"
FIVE STARS for this brilliant, brilliant book. It's a privilege to share, even indirectly, the explosion of learning that happens to curious, brilliant, young people....more