Nerdy Book Club Book Review.MAMMOTH MATH: (WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM SOME ELEPHANT SHREWS). By: Macaulay, David.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Macaulay, David. MAMMOTH MATH: (WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM SOME ELEPHANT SHREWS). 2022. New York. DK Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7440-5611-2

PLOT SUMMARY

This book will take you through the basics of math. The mammoth and elephant shrews will guide you from beginning to end as they show examples of counting, different ways you can use numbers, learning about patterns and sequences as well as angles, shapes, length and width, nonstandard units of measurement and data. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The classic style of this book with an abundance of text and sketched images of Mammoths as well as some elephant shrews, gives an interesting and lively take on basics of math. The use of appropriate vocabulary, paragraphs with explanations, and illustrations that directly tie the subject matter make it easy for readers to understand. Questions to be solved throughout the pages encourage critical thinking. To check for understanding, the answers are listed at the back end of the book. There is an abundance of information, useful for research purposes. The design is readable with text and images throughout the pages inviting the reader to directly apply their learning with the examples.   The illustrations are child-friendly with silly and fun examples, such as in rounding, the elephant shrews represent how to round up or down by their placement on the rollercoaster and the direction they are going. They also use the space well between the mammoth and the land around to create angles and shapes. The sequence of the book begins from the basics of numbers and progressively gets to more difficult ways of applying math such as area, volume, speed, weight and mass amongst other topics. The reference section contains multiplication charts, fractions, geometry, units of measurement, signs and symbols, a glossary, index and solutions to problems. 

REVIEWS & EXCERPTS/ AWARDS

School Library Journal starred, 08/01/22

School Library Journal starred (August 1, 2022): “ The book must be entered, poured over, absorbed, shared, flipped through and experienced.”

CONNECTIONS

This interesting book for grades 2-5 makes for a great reference book during math lessons. This book would be great to have readily available to refer to when talking about the topic they are studying. For example, if a student says they still don’t understand three dimensional shapes, they can read through the examples for a fun and different perspective on the topic. 

Readers can choose their favorite part of the informational book and recreate it by using their own examples and drawings, choosing a favorite animal and making it their own. 

More books about math:

Smibert, Angie. MATH (FASCINATING FACTS (CHILD’S WORLD)). ISBN 978-1-50384-464-3

Rosen, Michael J. MIND-BOGGLING NUMBERS. ISBN 978-1-46773-489-9

Green, Dan. MATH (BASHER BASICS). ISBN 978-1-53792-861-2