MathsThroughStories.org
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • RESEARCH TEAM
    • On-line Contributors
    • Research Dissemination
    • Research Impact
    • SHOUTOUTS
    • Teacher Training / CPD Services
    • MEDIA APPEARANCES
  • RESOURCES
    • RECOMMENDATIONS
    • BLOG
    • NEWSLETTER
    • BOOK REVIEWS >
      • BOOK REVIEWS
      • INSPECTION COPIES
    • LESSON IDEAS
    • VIDEOS
    • CREATE YOUR OWN MATHEMATICAL STORIES >
      • GUIDELINE FOR MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS
      • INTERVIEWS WITH MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS
    • 'HOW TO' BOOKS
    • RESEARCH ARTICLES
    • PRACTITIONER-ORIENTED ARTICLES
  • COMPETITIONS
    • 2025 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2024 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2023 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2022 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2021 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2020 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2019 YMSA WINNING AND SHORTLISTED ENTRIES
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED

EXPLORE OTHER 'PATTERNS' STORIES HERE

PATTERNS IN PERU: AN ADVENTURE IN PATTERNING
​Author: Cindy Neuschwander   
​Illustrator: Bryan Langdo  ​

Picture
Number of pages: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company (USA)
First published in: 2007
Format: Picturebook

Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes
Is this story part of a mathematics story series? Yes (Matt and Bibi Math Adventure) 

Preview and/or purchase this book on the Amazon websites: UK, USA, AUS, CAN​​

Synopsis by the author/publisher
Matt and Bibi unravel a pattern to discover a lost city The Zills are visiting Peru to study the mysterious lost city of Quwi when Matt and Bibi stumble into an adventure. With only each other, their faithful dog Riley, and an unusual ancient relic to guide them, the twins must use their understanding of patterns and sequences to locate the lost city--and the way back. This companion to Mummy Math is a pattern-packed adventure in math that's perfect for young readers.​
“"Well," Bibi said, "this first pattern shows llamas and plateaus. That's where we are now. The next one is a repeating pattern. It goes up and down like mountains. But what about these dots?"”
Official review by MathsThroughStories.org:
​
Cindy Neuschwander’s (2007) ‘Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning’ is the second title in the Matt and Bibi Math Adventure series. The story follows an adventure of the siblings, Matt and Bibi, as they embark on an unexpected quest to find the Lost City of Quwi in South America. Spotting patterns found on an ancient tunic that Matt is wearing, Bibi and Matt believe the patterns contain a secret map that can lead them to the Lost City and to help them avoid danger along the way. One of the great things about this story is that it does not contain only repeated iconic patterns, but the story also features a growing numerical pattern (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, etc.) which can be linked to algebra. Page illustrations by Bryan Langdo are delightful, and images of patterns can be found throughout the story which provide opportunities for teachers and parents to engage in mathematical conversations with their children. Like the other titles in the 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. All in all, ‘Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning’ is a great story picture book to introduce the concept of patterns (and early algebra) to children aged 7+ years old. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the publisher/author) ​
 
​Recommended age range: 
7+ years old 

Relevant mathematics topics: 
Patterns

​
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.

​mathsthroughstories.org

Picture

ABOUT US

MathsThroughStories.org is a non-profit research-based initiative, based at the University of Reading's Institute of Education (UK).

It sets out to help mathematics learners around the world develop their conceptual understanding in mathematics and to help them foster positive attitudes towards the subject through  the power of storytelling.

Contact Us

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • RESEARCH TEAM
    • On-line Contributors
    • Research Dissemination
    • Research Impact
    • SHOUTOUTS
    • Teacher Training / CPD Services
    • MEDIA APPEARANCES
  • RESOURCES
    • RECOMMENDATIONS
    • BLOG
    • NEWSLETTER
    • BOOK REVIEWS >
      • BOOK REVIEWS
      • INSPECTION COPIES
    • LESSON IDEAS
    • VIDEOS
    • CREATE YOUR OWN MATHEMATICAL STORIES >
      • GUIDELINE FOR MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS
      • INTERVIEWS WITH MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS
    • 'HOW TO' BOOKS
    • RESEARCH ARTICLES
    • PRACTITIONER-ORIENTED ARTICLES
  • COMPETITIONS
    • 2025 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2024 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2023 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2022 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2021 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2020 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2019 YMSA WINNING AND SHORTLISTED ENTRIES
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED