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EXPLORE OTHER 'ADDITION & SUBTRACTION' STORIES HERE
EXPLORE OTHER 'MULTIPLICATION' STORIES HERE
EXPLORE OTHER 'NUMBER SEQUENCES' STORIES HERE

SIXTEEN RUNAWAY PUMPKINS
​Author: Dianne Ochiltree
​Illustrator: Anne-Sophie Lanquetin

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Number of pages: 31
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's - Margaret K. McElderry (USA)
First published in: 2004
Format: Picturebook

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

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

Synopsis by the author/publisher
When Sam stacks sixteen pumpkins into the wagon for his grandpa, they all fall out and roll away and finally land on Gramp's kitchen floor. But together they find a way to use them by baking pie after pie for all the family.
“She plunks four chunky pumpkins next to the other four. Eight pumpkins thunk-clunk together. Can Sam double her pumpkin score?”
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​Official review by MathsThroughStories.org:
Dianne Ochiltree's ‘Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins’ (2004) follows the story of Sam, a young raccoon, who goes out to collect pumpkins for her grandpa. First, she finds two pumpkins, then two more, then four more, then eight more. On her way back home, her wagon, full of pumpkins, wobbles and tips! The story provides a perfect introduction to the concept of doubling and number sequences, as well as adding and subtracting, in general. The story is written in rhymes, making reading aloud more captivating for young children, and it can be read and enjoyed all year round, particularly during the Halloween season! The illustrations by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin are mathematically accurate and charming. All in all, we highly recommend ‘Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins’ for children aged 5+ years old. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the author) ​

​Recommended age range: 
5 years old + 

Relevant mathematics topics: 
Addition & Subtraction; Multiplication; Number Sequences
​
​
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

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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
    • 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