Blog Archives
Math Operations
Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers: Patterns follows a group of number characters who are out at recess and get invited by their teacher, Mrs. Wiggles, to play an “I Spy” game—but with patterns! What was the inspiration for your story?
A few things inspired the story. First, children told me they wanted Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers to count to 100. (Infinity, actually, but that would be difficult even for Mrs. Wiggles.)
Second, teachers asked for a fun, read-aloud, rhyming picture book about patterns with a storyline.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
First, children must understand the concept of patterns to learn how to read and perform math operations.
Second, teachers often use a 1-100 number chart in the classroom to illustrate math patterns. I wanted to help them by incorporating a number chart in the story.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
They were all fun! If I had to pick one, I’d say having Mrs. Wiggles ride the cow. I live in Wisconsin, and one day while writing the story, I went past a farm with a herd of cows that formed a pattern.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Mrs. Wiggles and the direction of the next book?
I have lots of ideas for Mrs. Wiggles. It’s exciting planning out the next adventure!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
A fun and educational adventure comes from the creator of the award-winning Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers! Join Mrs. Wiggles as she introduces her classroom to the fascinating world of patterns. Number Zero doesn’t quite understand at first, but everything clicks when he discovers the most exciting pattern of all! SPOILER ALERT: He paints a vibrant 1-100 number chart and exclaims, “We are patterns on the wall. Numbers are the best of all!”
Learning about patterns is a key part of the kindergarten curriculum, and this charming story is a perfect tool for introducing young learners to this essential concept. Patterns help children build foundational math and language skills, making this book a valuable early-education resource.
Bright, playful illustrations invite kids to explore patterns in everyday things-flowers, animals, and even on the farm! Whether used in the classroom or at home, the book encourages children to spot patterns everywhere they look.
A 1-100 number chart is included to help children visualize number patterns, and a bold two-page spread shows the numbers together to help little ones count by tens. The delightful rhyming text is ideal for read-aloud sessions, and young readers will love spotting Number Nine, who can often be found napping throughout the story. Onomatopoeia adds an extra layer of fun, keeping kids engaged and enhancing the visual experience.
The rhyming scheme also introduces children to poetry and rhyming words, making it an excellent tool for early literacy. With easy-to-read text, this book is perfect for beginning readers, creating an enjoyable experience for teachers and children alike.
“Books like this give young children a wonderful head-start at developing an essential life skill. All families should be reading this book to their children by the time they are two years old and beyond.” Richard Schramm, MD, American Psychiatric Association Fellow
Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers stories are the perfect learning books for preschool and kindergarten, ages 3-6.
Empowered and Secure
Oddly and Eve: Magical Addition Pairs follows a frustrated and sad odd number who struggles with his feelings and finding friends. What was the inspiration for your story?
Many years ago, while teaching a math lesson to my youngest students, we noticed and briefly discussed that two odd numerals added together made an even number, as did two even ones. Since I tend to anthropomorphize just about everything, I began to wonder how the numerals felt about those outcomes, especially from the odd ones’ perspective. Thinking ahead to a possible book, I created a file that stayed in my desk for a long time. When I recently came across it again, I was inspired to finally write that story for my younger readers. The original title was “Odd’s Revenge,” but I decided that was a bit too negative. So, Odd led to Oddly, and then Eve appeared, and the book was born, focusing on the positivity of magical addition pairs.
Your children’s book is more than a simple counting story. You have included important lessons about friendship, acceptance, and cooperation. Was this intentional in your writing, or did it happen naturally as your story developed?
I always aim to weave meaningful life lessons into my writing to help and inspire my readers. That said, the way those themes emerged happened naturally as I wrote the story. First came Oddly with a chip on his shoulder, and then Eve’s unstoppable positivity that even Oddly couldn’t ignore forever. Professor Plus also blossomed on his own as a guide on the side, as did his camaraderie with Count Calculator.
I loved the scene in the book where Oddly and his friends are blocking the road. What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Yes, that’s a fantastic scene, and I must credit my illustrator Barry Davian, whose artistic talent brought each moment to life beautifully. What I love most about that point of the story is how Eve calmly and directly calls out Oddly on his actions while handling the situation with grace. This concept is vital because children need to learn how to respond and communicate in the moment, rather than freezing up and letting life push them around. The sooner they realize that they can steer their own course, rather than being like a cork bobbing helplessly on the ocean, the more empowered and secure they will feel as they mature.
The scene I most enjoyed writing in Oddly and Eve: Magical Addition Pairs was when Professor Plus opened Oddly’s mind to new ways of thinking, followed by his conversation with Count Calculator. With Professor Plus, I wanted to nod to one of my favorite literary characters, Professor Digory Kirke from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, particularly when he explains logical thinking to Peter and Susan. Having regularly introduced philosophy to students as early as second grade, I’ve found that children embrace this kind of thinking early on, and it’s very important to me to include that in my writing. As for my favorite illustration by Barry, it’s the one where Oddly and Eve make their amazing discovery together in a burst of energy that appears above them on page 12 of the paperback!
When is your next book coming out, and what can your fans expect?
I have many more books coming out, even this month, and throughout the year, for entire families to enjoy. Right now, I’m building a well-rounded body of work for all elementary grades, from pre-K to 6th, to increase my audience and enrich my standards-based and lively presentations during my school author visits.
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
Dogs: A Counting & Comparing Book
Dogs: A Counting and Comparing Book, by Frances Mackay, emerges as a delightful and educational experience for children, cleverly intertwining the joy of canine companions with fundamental counting skills. This book transcends the typical format of a counting book and engages young readers in more than just number recognition by bringing an array of dogs to life on each page. From Dachshunds to Pugs and Shar Peis to Terriers, young readers will find Mackay’s book a delight.
Mackay’s approach is far from a mundane enumeration. Instead, each page overflows with vibrant energy as a variety of dog breeds playfully guide children through numbers. The book’s structure, alternating between counting and comparing the different breeds, maintains reader engagement and adds an educational layer, encouraging observations about the dogs’ diverse characteristics. The art style in this book is both friendly and contemporary, resonating well with modern young readers. It successfully captures the essence of classic children’s literature, reminiscent of authors like P.D. Eastman, yet it stands out with its own unique flair. One particularly memorable moment is the depiction of an “extremely long dog” stretching across an entire page, showcasing the book’s creative and humorous side. The book is accessible and enjoyable for early readers and their families, fostering a fun environment for learning.
Dogs, A Counting & Comparing Book is an excellent choice for young readers who have a fondness for dogs and learning. It skillfully blends entertainment with education, making it a noteworthy addition to children’s literature in the genre of counting and comparison.
Pages: 34 | ISBN: 0646890042
Real-Time Earthquake Tracking and Localisation
After the tragic earthquake that hit China in 2008, both George D. Daglish and Lurii Sizov came together to create early warning seismic software. Readers get an in-depth look at the work they’ve done as well as the testing they’ve done.
Both authors provide a wealth of knowledge in their book, and their experience shows. Some readers may find this book overwhelming at times because of all of the information that this book contains, but the authors also take the time to explain it to the reader.
The mathematical equations in the book cover algorithms to calculate and determine where epicenters and hypocenters are active. If you are not a mathematician, some of these concepts can be confusing, but the authors do a great job breaking them down for those new to the concepts. The provided formulas are explained with enough information so readers can follow along and understand what is being discussed. The authors offer theories and provide evidence to support their theories making this plausible.
I did feel as though I was reading a textbook written by professors, but surprisingly the topic was interesting. The seismograph images included in the book are interesting to look at and would be helpful if this is your field of study or if you are interested in earthquakes. Both authors also include their test parameters to show what areas have earthquakes and if the software will detect an earthquake in that region. The software both Daglish and Sizov are working on to assist with the early detection and prediction of earthquakes is commendable as it can save thousands of lives and be used in many countries.
Real-Time Earthquake Tracking and Localisation: A Formulation for Elements in Earthquake Early Warning Systems (Eews) is an educational book for those who are interested in science, specifically earthquakes. There is an abundance of testing, evidence, and documentation in this book that can be used by someone in this field of study or those just wanting to learn more about the technology being created to help save lives.
Pages: 395 | ASIN : B07MHTK6ZZ
Kelvin and the Age of the Universe
Kelvin and the Age of the Universe is a compilation of writings by author Yuri Heymann. This book is a compendium of Heymann’s knowledge and covers several different topics, all under the umbrella of astronomy.
This well-researched book begins with a history lesson that takes a deep dive into the Mayans and ends with the Renaissance. Then, Heymann craftily explains in detail how Astronomy has evolved over thousands of years. For each culture and society talked about, we learn how these societies contributed to the field of Astronomy and how Astronomy contributed to their cultures and religious beliefs. For example, it is fascinating to read how ancient Greek and Egyptian mythologies were impacted by astronomy and vice versa.
The historical section of Astronomy is also the most accessible to novices. Heymann does a good job writing on a level that most can comprehend. Many of the topics covered in the book are well researched and make for an interesting read. I feel that readers should have some basic knowledge of physics and astronomy as Heymann goes into specific astrological theories.
Heymann’s writing is concise, to the point, and still captivates the reader. Some of the equations and technical language can be a little intimidating to the less experienced, but Heymann makes his work as accessible as possible. The author never assumes his reader is as knowledgeable as him, and for the most part, many of the topics are explained in great detail. His arguments are well made, and absolutely everything is aided with evidence. For anyone looking to read further, his reference lists are extensive.
Kelvin and the Age of the Universe is an interesting read for anyone interested in astronomy. This intellectually invigorating book includes fascinating historical elements of physics and astronomy, making this book a unique blend of historical documentation and advanced theoretical astronomy.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B09872GNSF
From Tree to Twelve
From Tree to Twelve by Dr. Quooz is an adorable counting book for children that follows a little boy and his monkey friend as they count from one to twelve on a road trip adventure. This book immediately captured my child’s attention with its bright colors and cute monkey. This educational children’s book becomes more than a simple counting book by showing kids how these numbers come together in simple math equations. Throughout the book kids are given examples of numbers, how they appear in our lives, and gives them bright objects to count.
The book is written in a way that is easily understandable by younger children and makes it a fun read. Additionally, it is beautifully illustrated and grabs the attention of children. Not only does this book teach valuable math skills, it can also help develop other areas of thinking. For instance, teachers and parents could use this book to teach about various colors, explore words, or even use it as a jumping-off point to teach about time. Overall, I would highly recommend this book for children, parents, and teachers.
Pages: 15 | ASIN: B07PPTR8CN
Advanced Lotto Rotation
Ever wondered if games of chance can be deciphered? Could math be used to that advantage? To get exactly the numbers you need to win the lotto? You have played too many times by pure chance and instinct. How about applying a little bit of logic this time? Just to see if it makes a difference.
The Advanced Lotto Rotation System is a tutorial on how to break the code. On how to burst through the veil of unluck. Joseph Vlasic breaks down the whole system. He then proceeds to put everything together bit by bit as one looks on. This gives one an understanding into the game. Sort of like getting into the mind of the game.
This is a very short read. However, the writer has put everything down in very simple English. He does not leave the reader behind at any point. This is important as it will help one apply whatever they have learned later on. At the very beginning, you are asked to read and reread. You must follow this directive so that you can grasp every step of the exercise.
It is easy to lose focus and attention when dealing with so many numbers and confusing ideas. Therefore the author uses highlights and tables. These help the reader bring their attention back to the material at hand. It also helps you have a different view of the idea for better understanding and fresh perspective.
This book delivers some very interesting ideas on Lotto and games of chance in general. Although there could be some complex information delivered in such a small package, I felt the author gave each idea plenty of room to develop completely before moving on.
There are some minor misspellings and I felt the book could benefit from a brush over. Other than that it is an interesting read. It is compelling to see just how easy it could be to break games of chance. To bend them to your will. This book puts you in control rather than leaving it up to chance or sheer luck. We cannot all be lucky, can we?
Pages: 19
Available on BookBaby
Algebra for the Urban Student: Using Stories to Make Algebra Fun and Easy
![Algebra for the Urban Student: Using Stories to Make Algebra Fun and Easy by [Lee, Canaa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-x1J65Z5L.jpg)
Before you read my review of Algebra for the Urban Student: Using Stories to Make Algebra Fun and Easy by Canaa Lee, you should know that I am one of those strange people who really enjoy a good Algebra problem. I have always loved Algebra, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on a book about Algebra for review purposes. I am also a homeschooling parent so I am always interested in textbooks, especially those that incorporate new methods of learning. This book did not disappoint.
Lee is a high school math teacher who conceived of the idea for this book while she was working at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. She was a math teacher given the task of figuring out how to incorporate reading and literacy into her math class. To do this, she would find several topics in her class that shared a theme and try to build a story around them in order to teach them together. The book relies heavily on building an ongoing story throughout the entire course in order to help students retain knowledge and follow along as they shift from one concept to another. As someone right in the midst of teaching Algebra, I think this is a brilliant concept.
Lee wanted to demonstrate to her students that Algebra could be demystified and could become more than just a jumble of numbers and letters. This is especially important in some urban environments where the population is largely poor and underrepresented when it comes to education. Test results from many urban areas prove this time and again. I also know from teaching my own children (who hate math) that making the concepts of Algebra clearer can be a daunting task. Incorporating these concepts into stories can get through to students who simply don’t learn from numbers alone.
The book covers a plethora of relevant and important topics: equations, inequalities, absolute value, graphing, slope, ordered pairs, slope-intercept form, relations, functions, statistics, ratios, proportions, rate of change, compound inequalities, geometry, perimeter, area, surface area, volume, factoring, quadratic equations, quadratic trinomials, parabolas, domain, range, vertex, vertical stretch, horizontal stretch, horizontal shift, polynomials, monomials, binomials, trinomials, leading coefficients, and discriminants. It was very thorough. The author provides ample practice problems throughout the book. She also makes it very clear how the problems relate to every day life. I found it very relatable and relevant.
I would rate the book a 4 on a 5-point scale. Providing a supplement with an answer key to check the answers after doing the problems would definitely move it up to a 5. This is a book I would use in teaching my own children when we run across a particularly troubling concept. Lee has made math relatable for people who might have trouble.
Pages: 88 | ASIN: B0792VFC1W
LITERARY TITAN 