By the Numbers
There is a set of numbers called the Fibonacci Sequence that is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Each number in the sequence is the sum of the two preceding numbers. (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…) It appears everywhere in nature, including nautilus shells, pinecones, sunflower seeds and scales of a pineapple. These titles provide a fascinating look at this natural mystery and the simple beauty of numbers.
Math Curse by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (Penguin). This classic math story follows a young girl who is challenged to see everything as a math problem. With Scieszka’s wit and Smith’s bizarre collages, they capture the hilarity of being inside a child’s mind. Through math, readers see curiosity, confusion, frustration, progress and conquest! Does tunafish + tunafish = fournafish? (5 and up)
The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett (Simon & Schuster). Would you believe the breeding of rabbits follows the Fibonacci sequence? This book is laid out similar to Martha Stewart’s monthly calendar, with comments and questions about the upcoming births of new baby rabbits (“Check babies for fleas.”) Creative art and construction, using watercolors, pencil and inset mini-pages, make it full of wonder for even non-math types. (4 and up)
Blockhead by Joseph D’Agnese, illus. by John O’Brien (Henry Holt & Co). The Greatest Western Mathematician in the Middle Ages is introduced to us right from the beginning: “You can call me Blockhead, everyone else does.” Leonardo Fibonacci proceeds to share with readers his love of numbers, counting everything in nature. His passion leads him to become the Holy Roman Empire’s math whiz! O’Brien has skillfully hidden patterns and swirls in the illustrations that represent the sequence. (6 to 9)
Growing Patterns by Sarah C. Campbell, photographed by Richard P. Campbell (Boyds Mill Press). This introduction to mathematical patterns in nature shows the beauty and grace of the Fibonacci sequence. Simple words, a clear pattern and vivid photographs combine to startling effect. For visual learners and kids who are drawn to numbers and patterns, this book is a winner. (5 to 11)
One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi (Scholastic). Elegant illustrations inspired by Indian miniatures attract the eye as this story begins. A raja has hoarded all the rice during a famine. A clever girl does a good deed, and is offered a reward from the raja. All she asks for is a single grain of rice, to be doubled every day for a month. The raja thinks this is a silly and foolish request, until he learns the magnitude of doubling. As the numbers rise, the pages expand to show camels and elephants carrying in billions of grains of rice! (5 and up)
Julie Hubble still uses her fingers to do math in Leawood, KS.