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ELEVATOR MAGIC
Author: Stuart J. Murphy
​Illustrator: G. Brian Karas

Number of pages: 31
Publisher: HarperCollins (USA)
First published in: 1997
Format: Picturebook

Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes
Is this story part of a mathematics story series? Yes (MathStart)

Click here to preview and/or purchase this book via the Amazon (UK) website ​
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Synopsis by the author/publisher
Who knew that riding an elevator could be such an adventure? Ben meets his Mom at her office on the 10th floor, then together they make several stops on their way down. They find cows and chickens at "Farm Bank and Trust" on the 8th floor, and a traffic jam at "Speedway Delivery" three floors below. As for the "Hard Rock Candy Store," you've got to see it to believe it. Learning how to subtract using a simplified "number line" helps children understand the concept of subtraction.

“Next we have to drop off this package at Speedway Delivery. It's 3 floors down from here. What floor should I push to go down just 3? Now we're on 8. 3 floors down, 8-3 = 5. Floor 5 is where Speedway Delivery should be.”

Recommended age range: 
5 years old + 

Relevant mathematics topics: 
Addition & Subtraction

​Possible teaching activities:
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