Blockhead The Life of Joseph Fibonacci illustrated by Joseph D'Agnese illustrated by John O'Brien*

 This coming school year we will be studying medieval history, and I will be recommending this picture book biography to my sons. Joseph Fibonacci lived in medieval Italy and was obessessed with numbers. He advocated the using the Hindu-Arabic numerals (which we use today) instead of Roman numerals. People resisted.  Told in first person, the reader intimately experiences Fibonacci's thoughts. Throughout the book, the illustrations incorporate spirals (the Fibonacci sequence). Additional information and hands-on activities at the back enrich this story even more.

Worldview to discuss: "I think people are happiest when they know what pleases them." (-Alfredo, Joseph Fibonacci's father's adviser).

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Jefferson Measures a Moose by Mara Rockliff illustrated by S.D. Schindler*

Ms. Rockliff searches for little-known interesting tidbits about history and historical figures and shares them with the world with her engaging picture books. 

In this book she focuses on Thomas Jefferson's love for numbers and how this passion allowed him to combat the famous Frenchman Buffon's erroneous conclusions about America, its creatures and its land.

A must-read for mathematicans or for individuals who want to foster the love for numbers in young people's lives. A perfect read aloud when learning about Thomas Jefferson too!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Sketchbook A to Z by Dave Kline illustrated by Craig Schaffer

" An Alphabetical beginner's guide to Pennsylvania wildlife"

With couplets, Mr. Kline describes various creatures that make their home in Pennslyvania (not all of them are "wild" like cows and goats).  Mr. Schaffer's illustrations are incredible.  A separate section that encourages counting (1-10) creatures is included.  Alliteration is utilized in the numbers section.  Some of the rhyming/word choice was a bit forced.  Animal-lovers will probably know most of the information shared.  

-Borrowed from the library.

Nine A Book of Nonet Poems by Irene Latham illustrated by Amy Huntington

 Ms. Latham was a guest teacher on Writers on Writing workshop at Read Aloud Revival where she taught the attendees how to write a nonet poem.  I purchased this book so the boys could be familiar with this type of poetry before the workshop.

A nonet is a poem that either starts with a line that has nine syllables or ends with nine syllables.  The lines in between either decrease or increase by one.  I was amazed at the wide-variety of topics Ms. Latham included in this tiny book.  Each poem was related somehow to the number nine.  

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, each of my boys wrote a nonet and shared it with Ms. Latham.  She kindly responded, adding insightful comments and thoughtful compliments.  

-I own this book.

Fun with Roman Numerals by David A. Adler illustrated by Edward Miller III*

When we began our study of Rome, we read through this book together.  How to write thousands and hundred thousands was included which was new to my eleven year. 
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Place Value by David A. Adler

Mr. Adler explains the importance of place value and also shares the history of our number system.
-Borrowed from the library.

Five Little Ducks by Denise Fleming*

Even though I no longer have toddlers or preschoolers as children, I could not resist Denise Fleming's new book, Five Little Ducks.
Ms. Fleming takes the familiar song/rhyme "Five Little Ducks" and creates her own version which incorporates a farm and the days of the week.  Instead of the mama calling them back, the papa duck calls them back each time.
On a two page spread in the back, Ms. Fleming shares facts about each animal the ducklings encounter on the farm.   She also recommends trying to find other creatures she has incorporated in the illustrations.  
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Perfect for reinforcing names of animals, the days of the week and numeral identification.
One opportunity for inferring too!

Too Many Balloons by Catherine Matthias*

A Rookie Reader
Published in 1982 but a fun book for beginning readers who are learning to read number words and color words.
Also great for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to count and to identify colors.
*Highly recommend

How Many Jelly Beans? A Giant Book of Giant Numbers by Andrea Menotti illustrated by Yancey Labat*

This book shows how many large numbers are: thousand, five thousand, up to million in the form of jelly beans.
The over-sized book is great for sharing and the foldout page is so fun!
*Highly recommend.

Jake's 100th Day of School by Lester L. Laminack illustrated by Judy Love

Jake has been working diligently on his 100th day project.  On the morning of the 100th, he forgets his project at home.  His understanding principal helps him out . . .plus Jake brings in a special guest to his classroom.
Very sweet!

Zero the Hero by Joan Holub illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

So fun and humorous!
Lots of math and number puns included.
Zero is not appreciated until the other numbers realize that they do need him (plus he saves them from the Roman Numerals!).
*Highly recommend.

Millions, Billions and Trillions Understanding Big Numbers by David A. Adler illustrated by Edward Miller*

This book offers real life examples so kids can begin to grasp how big these numbers are.  I liked how Mr. Adler talks about the national debt and how much our government spends when discussing trillion!!
*Highly recommend.