1: A Good Intro Math Concepts Book - a review of "More or Less a Mess"
Let me say there is good edu-tainment value in this book. Not only do you get a cute story, that I think most children can relate to, but a pleasant rhyme and some math concepts as well.
In the story, a little girl is asked to clean her room. She tries to be organized about it and attempts to sort her things in various ways. First she tries a single big pile, which collapses, and then she tries an evenly distributed layer, which turns out to be too difficult to move around in.
From there she tries to sort by function and color. But there always seem to be items that don't fit the categories. In the end, she even tries the keep, give away, and sell system. But as all of us know, little kids treasure every little nick-nack regardless of whether they ever play with it, and when her mom comes up to find out how she is doing, the little girl ends up shoving everything under her bed.
Besides the story you will find the following:
A Note to Parents (gives caregivers some advice on how to use the book)
About the Activities (a note about the following activities and games, all of which can be done with items at home)
-- Retelling the Storytelling - this activity asks thought provoking questions
-- The Sorting Game - use household items to practice sorting
-- A Kitchen Guessing Game - sorting with cans game
-- Word Sorting (a game) - this one's for older children who can read and write
-- Line Up (a game) - you'll sort paper shapes with this one
Four Stars. Good Read-Aloud. Colorful humorous artwork. The rhyme is pleasant and both of my children (boy and girl; just turned 5 and 7 respectively) liked the story and the problem solving aspects of it. The publisher provides generous notes for adults about what the book is teaching and how to build upon it. Reading level will probably suit advanced first graders in this mom's opinion. That said, I would disagree with the K thru Second Grade recommendations. Instead I would suggest that this book is preschool thru K.
Good edu-tainment here. I will certainly be on the lookout for more Hello Math Readers.
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