BETO'S BERRY TREASURE
Author: Jenny Lacika
Illustrator: Addy Rivera Sonda
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Number of pages: 28
Publisher: Charlesbridge (USA) First published in: 2024 Format: Picturebook Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes Is this story part of a mathematics story series? Yes (Storytelling Math) Preview and/or purchase this book on the Amazon websites: UK, USA, AUS, IND, CAN Synopsis by the author/publisher
Beto wants to play tea party with Cora, but his big sister just wants to be a pirate. To get Cora on board, Beto makes a map to a delicious hidden treasure. But Cora ends up in the wrong place! Will Cora find the treasure before Beto eats it all? A playful exploration of mapping, featuring Chicanx (Mexican American) characters and a glossary of Spanish words. |
“"Then Cora walks straight to the laundry basket. "ARRR! No treasure!" Cora retreats to her room. Beto finds the map in the middle of the mess. Why did she go this way? Cora must have been holding the map upside down! That's why she went the wrong way. Beto needs to add something to the map to show Cora which way is which.”
Official review by MathsThroughStories.org:
Jenny Lacika’s ‘Beto’s Berry Treasure’ (2024), part of Charlesbridge’s Storytelling Math series, is a charming and interactive tale of problem-solving and map-making. Beto wants to have a tea party, but his pirate-loving sister, Cora, is more interested in swashbuckling adventures. To bring her into the fun, Beto draws a treasure map that leads to a delicious treat. However, Cora repeatedly goes the wrong way, and Beto has to revise his map to guide her toward the treasure. The story beautifully illustrates the concept of spatial orientation and how maps can help us navigate the world around us. What makes ‘Beto’s Berry Treasure’ especially delightful is how the author uses Beto’s mistakes to introduce young readers to important mathematical and problem-solving skills. As Beto revises the map by adding landmarks and correcting directions, children are invited to think about how orientation, perspective, and visual cues can impact navigation. This interactive approach to storytelling encourages children to consider how to communicate effectively through maps. Addy Rivera Sonda’s vibrant and expressive illustrations make the book a visual delight. The colourful scenes not only capture the playful sibling dynamic but also help young readers follow Beto’s thought process as he adjusts the map for Cora. The inclusion of Spanish phrases throughout the story adds a rich cultural layer, making the book accessible and relatable for bilingual Spanish-speaking families. Like the other titles in the series, there are also a few activity ideas given at the back of the book that parents and educators can implement to extend the learning with hands-on activities, such as creating treasure maps or building models of familiar spaces. The book is a wonderful way to introduce concepts like positioning and mapping to children aged 4+ years old, all within a fun and heartwarming sibling story. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the publisher/author.)
Recommended age range:
4+ years old
Relevant mathematics topics:
Positioning & Mapping
Possible teaching activities:
At MathsThroughStories.org, we believe that stories can be meaningfully incorporated in mathematics teaching in different ways. Thus, we are inviting you to share your experience of how you have used this story in your mathematics lesson with other members of the community. By sharing your experience with us, you will be added to our team of On-line Contributors here, where you can also find our submission guideline.
Jenny Lacika’s ‘Beto’s Berry Treasure’ (2024), part of Charlesbridge’s Storytelling Math series, is a charming and interactive tale of problem-solving and map-making. Beto wants to have a tea party, but his pirate-loving sister, Cora, is more interested in swashbuckling adventures. To bring her into the fun, Beto draws a treasure map that leads to a delicious treat. However, Cora repeatedly goes the wrong way, and Beto has to revise his map to guide her toward the treasure. The story beautifully illustrates the concept of spatial orientation and how maps can help us navigate the world around us. What makes ‘Beto’s Berry Treasure’ especially delightful is how the author uses Beto’s mistakes to introduce young readers to important mathematical and problem-solving skills. As Beto revises the map by adding landmarks and correcting directions, children are invited to think about how orientation, perspective, and visual cues can impact navigation. This interactive approach to storytelling encourages children to consider how to communicate effectively through maps. Addy Rivera Sonda’s vibrant and expressive illustrations make the book a visual delight. The colourful scenes not only capture the playful sibling dynamic but also help young readers follow Beto’s thought process as he adjusts the map for Cora. The inclusion of Spanish phrases throughout the story adds a rich cultural layer, making the book accessible and relatable for bilingual Spanish-speaking families. Like the other titles in the series, there are also a few activity ideas given at the back of the book that parents and educators can implement to extend the learning with hands-on activities, such as creating treasure maps or building models of familiar spaces. The book is a wonderful way to introduce concepts like positioning and mapping to children aged 4+ years old, all within a fun and heartwarming sibling story. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the publisher/author.)
Recommended age range:
4+ years old
Relevant mathematics topics:
Positioning & Mapping
Possible teaching activities:
At MathsThroughStories.org, we believe that stories can be meaningfully incorporated in mathematics teaching in different ways. Thus, we are inviting you to share your experience of how you have used this story in your mathematics lesson with other members of the community. By sharing your experience with us, you will be added to our team of On-line Contributors here, where you can also find our submission guideline.
