EXPLORE OTHER 'LENGTH & DISTANCE' STORIES

MANY MOONS
​Author: James Thurber
​Illustrator: Marc Simont

Number of pages: 44
Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company (USA)​
First published in: 1943
Format: Picturebook 

Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? No
Is this story part of a mathematics story series? No 

Click here to preview and/or purchase this book via the Amazon (UK) website ​

Synopsis by the author/publisher
Princess Lenore is ill from eating too many raspberry tarts. She believes that possessing the moon is the only thing that will cure her. Despite a command from the King, neither the Lord High Chamberlain nor the Royal Wizard nor the Royal Mathematician can get the moon for her. Only when the clever Court Jester consults the Princess herself is the problem solved - with characteristic Thurber wit.

“"How big do they say the moon is," asked the Court Jester, "and how far away?" "The Lord High Chamberlain says it is 35,000 miles away, and bigger than Princess Lenore's room," said the King. "The Royal Wizard says it is 150,000 miles away, and twice as big as this palace. The Royal Mathematician says it is 300,000 miles away, and half the size of this kingdom."​”

Recommended age range: 
9 years old + 

Relevant mathematics topics: 
Length & Distance

​Possible teaching activities:
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