LESS THAN ZERO
Author: Stuart J. Murphy
Illustrator: Frank Remkiewicz
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Number of pages: 28
Publisher: HarperCollins (USA) First published in: 2003 Format: Picturebook Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes Is this story part of a mathematics story series? Yes (MathStart) Preview and/or purchase this book on the Amazon websites: UK, USA, AUS, CAN Synopsis by the author/publisher
Perry the Penguin needs 9 clams to buy an ice scooter - but he's not very good at saving. As Perry earns, spends, finds, loses, and borrows clams, a simple line graph demonstrates the concept of negative numbers. |
“"Gosh, thought Perry. I went from 4 clams to minus 1. That's even less than zero!"”
Official review by MathsThroughStories.org:
Stuart Murphy’s (2003) ‘Less Than Zero’ is part of the impressive 63-title MathStart series. The story provides a useful everyday context to introduce the concept of negative numbers to young readers as well as showing them how line graphs can be constructed and interpreted. The story follows a young penguin, named Percy, who wants to buy a scooter that costs 9 clams. Throughout the story that spans across a week, readers can follow Percy’s journey to make 9 clams. Through Frank Remkiewicz’s page illustrations: whether it be making 4 clams by trimming the ice for his mom on Monday or losing 5 clams by buying an entry ticket to see the Ice Circus on Tuesday, children can clearly see Percy’s money saving and spending activities being visually represented on a line graph. Like the other stories in the MathStart series, useful recommendations for teachers and parents on how mathematics learning opportunities can be extended from the story are offered at the back of the book. As far as we are aware, this is currently the only mathematical story picture book in the market with an explicit focus on negative numbers. All in all, ‘Less Than Zero’ is a great story picture book to introduce the concept of negative numbers (and line graphs) to children aged 8+ years old. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the publisher/author)
Recommended age range:
8 years old +
Relevant mathematics topics:
Data handling; Negative numbers
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.
Stuart Murphy’s (2003) ‘Less Than Zero’ is part of the impressive 63-title MathStart series. The story provides a useful everyday context to introduce the concept of negative numbers to young readers as well as showing them how line graphs can be constructed and interpreted. The story follows a young penguin, named Percy, who wants to buy a scooter that costs 9 clams. Throughout the story that spans across a week, readers can follow Percy’s journey to make 9 clams. Through Frank Remkiewicz’s page illustrations: whether it be making 4 clams by trimming the ice for his mom on Monday or losing 5 clams by buying an entry ticket to see the Ice Circus on Tuesday, children can clearly see Percy’s money saving and spending activities being visually represented on a line graph. Like the other stories in the MathStart series, useful recommendations for teachers and parents on how mathematics learning opportunities can be extended from the story are offered at the back of the book. As far as we are aware, this is currently the only mathematical story picture book in the market with an explicit focus on negative numbers. All in all, ‘Less Than Zero’ is a great story picture book to introduce the concept of negative numbers (and line graphs) to children aged 8+ years old. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the publisher/author)
Recommended age range:
8 years old +
Relevant mathematics topics:
Data handling; Negative numbers
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.
