Arithmechicks Add Up: A Math Story

by Ann Marie Stephens, Jia Liu (Illustrator)

Overview

This exuberant picture book demonstrates key math concepts to children as ten math-loving chicks make a new friend.

As the Arithmechicks slide down the slide, swing on the swings, and play hide-and-seek, they don't realize that a lonely mouse is copying them, longing to join in. However, when their basketball becomes stuck, the chicks discover that a two-inch-tall new friend is exactly what they need. In this heartwarming story, there are many ways to add up ten cheerful chicks—but a new friend is what makes them cheer. The book includes a helpful glossary that defines the eight arithmetic strategies the chicks use throughout the story, providing a playful introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629798073
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	08/13/2019
Series:	Arithmechicks
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	664,477
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ann Marie Stephens is the author of Scuba Dog and Cy Makes a Friend. She has also published original teaching ideas in the Mailbox and Scholastic Teacher magazines and in the book Kwame Alexander's Page-to-Stage Writing Workshop. As an elementary school teacher, she's loved sharing the thrill of writing with her students for more than 20 years. She has also created and hosted clubs for fellow faculty such as Books for Breakfast, Books for Lunch, and Cookies and Books. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia. Visit her blog at 2happyteachers.blogspot.com

Jia Liu received her MFA in illustration Practice from the Maryland Institute College of Arts in 2016. She is also the illustrator of Terrific Tongues, her debut picture book in the United States, and Bedtime for Beasties. Visit her at jia-liu.com.

Editorial Reviews

07/15/2019

Ten young chicks make their way to the park for a day of fun, incorporating math into every playground activity: counting steps, tilting on a seesaw (“2 chicks light plus 3 chicks heavy equals... 5 chicks bobbing”), and playing together. In nearly every spread, one “lonely mouse” longingly watches as the chicks count from game to game. When the group’s basketball becomes stuck in the net, the stacked chicks—shown in a vertical spread, “stretching, strrrretchiiing”—come up two inches short. And with the aid of the mouse, a formerly lonely plus-one, the chicks free the ball and celebrate the addition of a new friend. Stephens deftly interprets the usefulness of being able to quickly count and add, and Liu’s texturized digital illustrations convey all the fun of the playground alongside simple mathematical concepts. An enjoyable resource for young ones stepping up their counting game. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

08/01/2019

PreS-Gr 1—Stephens presents 10 chicks as they head to the park. "Count their happy beaks." There is a lot of fun games and plenty of things to count and add in the park. "2 chicks far plus 2 chicks near equals… 4 chicks playing tag." And so it goes with the see-saw, climbing bars, slide, hide-and-seek, follow the leader, etc. all while a lonely mouse watches and mimics the fun. The chicks are having a good time and taking turns mathing until their basketball gets stuck in the net. Even 10 chicks stacked up can't reach it, but luckily the mouse comes to the rescue by scampering up the chicks and tapping the ball free. Ten chicks plus one helpful mouse equals a new friend. Stephens's text includes plenty of adding while still having a bit of a plot and being fun to read. Liu's illustrations give the text context and distinct characters including a mother hen with a much needed whistle around her neck. The chicks are easy to see and count and the lonely mouse adds some depth and humor to the action. The book's back matter depicts different ways to group numbers and add them (number bond, tally marks, etc.) as seen in the story. VERDICT Ten cute chicks plus one lonely mouse equals a fun math story that can be used at various levels. A good general purchase.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

School Library Journal

2019-05-26
Ten exuberant chicks head to the park for playtime and a self-guided math lesson.

The chicks, who sport feathers in various shades of yellow, brown, and black, have brought a notepad and are "ready to add!" They observe and calculate different chick configurations within each game or on a piece of playground equipment. Throughout, "a lonely mouse watches," mimicking their play from afar. Ten stacked chicks are ultimately not tall enough to reach a basketball lodged in the hoop; but 10 chicks "plus 1 helpful mouse" are! The sums do not appear in order (4, 5 ,6, etc.), and this lack of pattern discourages guessing. They do appear on the same spreads as the setup: On the left, "2 chicks far plus / 2 chicks near equals…" appears within eyesight of "4 chicks playing tag" on the right. This design aspect suits the book to younger readers who are still being introduced to basic arithmetic functions and are not quite ready for independent work. On each calculation page, a chick uses the notepad to visualize one of many addition methods. Backmatter gives further explanations on these tools, describing a standard equation, tally marks, number lines, a number bond, and fingers "(or feathers)," among others. Hand-done textures on the digital illustrations appear delightfully scratched, as if by chicken feet, and playful, emphasizing the lighthearted tone of the lesson.

Practical application mixes with play, adding up to enjoyable learning. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

Practical application mixes with play, adding up to enjoyable learning.” – Kirkus Reviews 

"Ten young chicks make their way to the park for a day of fun, incorporating math into every playground activity... Stephens deftly interprets the usefulness of being able to quickly count and add, and Liu’s texturized digital illustrations convey all the fun of the playground alongside simple mathematical concepts. An enjoyable resource for young ones stepping up their counting game." — Publishers Weekly

"(A) fun math story that can be used at various levels." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher