Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature

by Sarah C. Campbell, Richard P. Campbell (Photographer)

Overview

ALSC Notable Children's Book

A wonderful introduction to one of the most beautiful connections between mathematics and the natural world–the Fibonacci sequence–through a series of stunning nature photographs.

Discover the biggest mathematical mystery in nature—Fibonacci numbers! Named after a famous mathematician, the number pattern is simple and starts with: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. Each number in the sequence comes from adding the two numbers before it. What's the mystery? The pattern crops up in the most unexpected places. You'll find it in the disk of a sunflower, the skin of a pineapple, and the spiral of a nautilus shell.

This book brings math alive, celebrates science, and will inspire kids to see nature through new eyes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635928372
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	07/26/2022
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	393,065
Product dimensions:	12.06(w) x 7.31(h) x 0.13(d)
Lexile:	850L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Sarah C. Campbell is the author of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. Her writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Highlights for Children and the New York Times. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

Richard P. Campbell is co-photographer of the acclaimed children's nonfiction book Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. He lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

Editorial Reviews

In nature, the number series called Fibonacci numbers (1,1,2,3,5,8,13...) often appears in the arrangement of petals or spiral patterns in plants and animals. This math-and-science title is another beautiful photo-essay by the creators of Wolfsnail (2008). A spare, simple text introduces the idea that plants carry genetic instructions for their development, often including a mathematical pattern. Readers are engaged in the process of discovering the pattern by the repeated question, "Can you count . . . ?" Beginning with a tiny photo of a seed followed by an equally tiny single-petal flower and then going on with increasingly larger photographs, the design reinforces the concepts of the series and a logarithmic spiral. Spirals in pine cones and pineapples are artificially colored to accentuate the pattern. Pointing out that not all plants and animals exhibit this arrangement, the author concludes by inviting readers to take a closer look outside. The backmatter makes clear that the nautilus-shell curve shown is not quite a golden spiral. This clear demonstration of complex ideas will be welcomed in elementary classrooms. (more about Fibonacci numbers, glossary) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews

This husband-and-wife team, who collaborated on Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator, turn their attention to the Fibonacci sequence of numbers, employing photographs from nature, basic addition, and reader-directed text to explain it. Beginning with an image of a seed, Campbell moves through the first numbers, adding images of flowers with petals that match Fibonacci numbers (the flowers are set within boxes sized to correspond to the numbers as well). By the time readers reach a yellow cosmos, with eight petals, the flowers take up an entire page, laying visual groundwork for a later representation of the numbers as a spiral. The Campbells also explore more complex appearances of the sequence in nature and note that while Fibonacci popularized these numbers, they had already been known to Indian scholars. Besides being eye-catching, the photographs ought to prove invaluable for visual learners (spiral patterns in a pinecone are darkened for visibility). Kids should be left with a clear understanding of the pattern and curious about its remarkable prevalence in nature. Ages 5-11. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"Invaluable for visual learners." —Publishers Weekly

"Another beautiful photo-essay by the creators of Wolfsnail... will be welcomed in elementary classrooms.." —Kirkus Reviews

"Math teachers will appreciate the clarity of presentation, and the appended glossary and related miscellanea. Children who are ready to move beyond counting books and into brain-tickling areas of mathematics will welcome this introduction." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

Gr 3–6—This slim, attractive volume makes clear the appearance and significance of Fibonacci numbers in nature, both through simple, precise explanations and eye-catching photographs. With plenty of white space and crisp images, the design of the book is appealing. Details about Fibonacci himself, other interesting mathematical concepts such as the "golden ratio," and a glossary are included. With such an obscure topic, this book may have a difficult time finding an audience, but math teachers looking to add an interesting element to a lesson will find this a solid choice, and future mathematicians will be drawn into the magic and mystery of Fibonacci numbers.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

School Library Journal