Count On Reading

Children’s book reviews by Tacoma writer Rebecca Young appear monthly on the Families page.

“The Math Curse” by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith - About this time of year, third-graders are moaning over their multiplication tables; fourth-graders are delving into division, and sixth-graders are pondering prealgebra. Perhaps a bit of humor would help. There happen to be several new books about numbers that are fun and funny.

The author-illustrator team that created several other offbeat favorites, such as “The Stinky Cheese Man” and “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” is responsible for this hilarious new book. Math teacher Mrs. Fibonacci has no idea of the havoc she creates for the narrator when she remarks one afternoon: “You know, you can think of almost everything as a math problem.” Beginning the next morning, everything IS a math problem. How many quarts in a gallon of milk? How many minutes until the bus comes? “There are 24 kids in my class. I just know someone is going to bring in cupcakes to share. We sit in 4 rows with 6 desks in each row. What if Mrs. Fibonacci rearranges the desks to make 6 rows? 8 rows? 3 rows? 2 rows?” By the end of the day, she is a “raving math lunatic.”

Lane Smith’s illustrations are packed with zany, enchanting details that add to the general frenzy. The way is left wide open for a sequel (or for children to write their own). The next day the math curse has been broken, and “life is just great until science class when Mr. Newton says, ‘You know, you can think of almost everything as a science experiment …”’ (Viking, ages 6 and up, 32 pgs., $16.99.)

“Amazing & Incredible Counting Stories! A Number of Tall Tales” by Max Grover - My 7-year-old chuckled all the way through this one. He didn’t learn much math, but so what? If you need content, though, there are plenty of interesting objects to count. This spoofs tabloid newspaper stories and showcases the vibrant and witty art of Max Grover, who was born in Bremerton, raised in Spokane and now lives in Port Townsend.

Here are a couple of the goofy stories:

4 Jelly Faucets Prove Big Time Savers for Kids

“… A girl shows how quickly she can make sandwiches using this new device. Now she has more time to spend with her pet alligator.”

22 Scientists Stumped by 23-Piece Puzzle

“… This unusual jigsaw puzzle made of linoleum has baffled some of our greatest minds. Some believe there are too many pieces; others think there are not enough scientists.” (Browndeer Press/ Harcourt, all ages, 32 pgs. $14.)

“Fun with Numbers” by Massin and Les Chats Peles - A writer and a group of three artists from France are responsible for this book which contains a good deal of fascinating information about how numbers have been used through history. The information is presented in a completely entertaining manner. Here’s a sample of some of the information:

The ancient Egyptians counted by 10s, as we do today. But they drew pictures to represent numbers. Ten was a pitcher; 100, a rolled up rope; 1,000 a lotus stem. The Sumerians, who lived where Iraq is now, counted by 10 and by six. They counted by sets of 10, up to 60. After that, sets were based on groups of 60. It sounds confusing until Massin points out that our system of time works the same way: We count minutes and seconds in sets of 60. “When we reach 60 seconds, we start a new minute, and when we reach 60 minutes, we start a new hour.”

The illustrations are great fun. A seven is a hunched old man. One six is a cat; another is a boa constrictor. On one spread, each numeral is a member of a traveling band. Two characters - a little man in a pointed hat, and a spotted dog - appear on each spread. At the end, the author suggests the reader try doodling with numbers. (Harcourt Brace & Co., all ages, 40 pgs., $17.)

“Barron’s Math Wizardry for Kids” by Margaret Kenda and Phyllis S. Williams - After all those entertaining books about math, maybe children will be ready to DO something. This marvelous book contains more than 200 fun and challenging math puzzles, games, designs and projects. Here’s a few:

Learn a game from New Zealand, played by the Maori people using either an eight-pointed or a sixpointed star. Build an abacus and learn how to use it. Learn to use secret codes. Multiply, using your fingers. Figure out baseball batting averages. Each activity has clear directions and appealing, simple illustrations. “Math Wizardry” is part of an excellent series by Barron’s, which includes “Science Wizardry,” “Cooking Wizardry” and “Gardening Wizardry.” This volume comes by itself ($13.95) or packaged with a math kit, including protractor, triangles, ruler, pencil, compass, pencil sharpener and eraser ($19.95). (Barron’s, ages 8-12, 325 pgs., $13.95.)

Valentine treat

“A Village Full of Valentines” by James Stevenson - I received this too late to review for Valentine’s Day last year, but it was charming enough to hang onto until this year. This book is a series of simple stories about Valentine’s Day. The first tells of Clifford who never sends a valentine unless he receives one first. “You might have to wait awhile,” says his friend Maureen. “I already have,” replies Clifford. “Fifty-six years.”

Another story involves Murray who is trying to make the world’s most beautiful valentine for his friend Beatrice. His floor is littered with failed efforts. Another friend, David, suggests that Beatrice might like the world’s 10th most beautiful valentine. “Of course!” said Murray. “She’d love it!” Or the 25th? “The 25th I could make by tomorrow.”

The stories seem unrelated until the last two chapters when everyone gathers for a valentine show. Afterwards Gus the tailor reveals a spectacular valentine, the red string he has been saving all year outlines the whole village in a heart shape.

Stevenson has a wide following as a children’s book author/illustrator and as an illustrator for The New Yorker. Here, his animal characters approach Valentine’s Day in a uniquely childlike fashion and his drawings are full of life and wit. This works both as an easy reader or a read-aloud. (Greenwillow Books, ages 4-8, $15.)