Math Fables by Gregg Tang #32

Tang, Gregg. (2004). Math Fables. New York: Scholastic Press.

Grades: PreK – 1 (ages 3 – 6)

Book Type: Picture

Illustrator: Heather Cahoon

Author Credibility: Greg Tang has a M.A. in Math Education from New York University. He is the author of The Grapes of Math, a New York Times Bestseller. He enjoys writing books that help further extend math concepts and make math fun.

Awards: none given

Summary:
In this book, the author has written short fables that introduce the numbers 1 – 10 by counting. But, he also shows each number in different ways in terms of grouping them. This book encourages children at a very young age to start thinking about math in different ways. The illustrations are whimsical and cartoon-like, and they are inviting for children. They also help present the concepts laid out in the book.

Standards: Number and Operations Standard (NCTM)

Illustrations: The illustrator Heather Cahoon created the illustrations in this book using a computer and various graphics. The illustrations correspond with the short fables and math concepts presented in the book. They are very beautiful to look at, and children would definitely enjoy looking at them.

Access Features: Author`s note, practice Challenges for kids working with numbers, headings for each new fable that are big and colorful

Classroom Use: I used this book to present the math concept of counting in different ways, while teaching pre-kindergarten last year. My children loved it! They enjoyed looking at the pictures and were able to grasp the concept in a different way.

Response: I think this is a great book for very young children! The earlier math concepts like these are presented the better! I liked that it didn`t just focus on counting like 1,2,3, and so on, but it shows how numbers can be grouped in different ways. The book really makes math fun, and that is so important to teaching math concepts.

Other Books in this series by Gregg Tang:
The Grapes of Math
Math for All Seasons
The Best of Times
Math Appeal
Math-terpieces