Equal, Shmequal: A Math Adventure

by Virginia Kroll, Philomena O'Neill (Illustrator)

Overview

Mouse and her friends want to play tug-of-war, but they’ll need to use some everyday math to figure out how to make teams that are equal. As Mouse looks at various solutions she is not sure what it means to be equal. Nothing works until Mouse starts to think about it mathematically and divides the teams based on weight. Wonderful illustrations capture Mouse and her animal friends from whiskers to tails as they work to measure and equalize their teams based on size, weight, and effort. A perfect addition to any STEM/STEAM collection that shows readers how math can be used in everyday problem solving.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570918926
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	07/01/2005
Series:	Charlesbridge Math Adventures Series
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	31,040
Product dimensions:	8.52(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.16(d)
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Virginia Kroll has contributed more than 1500 items to juvenile magazines. She travels throughout the country speaking to children about writing multicultural books. She is the author of many children's books, including WOOD-HOOPOE WILLIE, A CARP FOR KIMIKO, SWEET MAGNOLIA, JAHA AND JAMIL WENT DOWN THE HILL, HATS OFF TO HAIR!, MASAI AND I (Four Winds Press), and BUTTERFLY BOY (Boyds Mill Press). Virginia lives in New York with her family.

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 3-Kroll takes a subject that is difficult to explain and presents it in a fairly palatable tale. Mouse and her friends decide to play tug-of-war after watching kids at recess. First, though, they have to decide how to make both sides equal. They try dividing up by meat-eaters and plant-eaters; then they try those that have fur versus those without. Neither of these solutions works. Then they try three animals on each side. Of course, the larger ones win. Finally, they line up on the teeter-totter, shifting sides until the board balances. With both teams equal, the effort to win the tug-of-war is also equal. Neither side is victorious until Bear is distracted by the buzz of bees. Though predictable in a number of ways, the story still has enough plot tension to keep children reading. The illustrations, done in pastel shades, have a certain charm that young readers will find inviting. At the end of the book, Kroll gives the four definitions of equal from the viewpoints of math, art, the law, and team sports. This is an additional purchase for those collections needing more math-related books.-Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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