Bean Thirteen - Hardcover

McElligott, Matthew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399245359 ISBN 13: 9780399245350

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2007

Synopsis

Ralph warns Flora not to pick that thirteenth bean. Everyone knows it’s unlucky! Now that they’re stuck with it, how can they make it disappear? If they each eat half the beans, there’s still one left over. And if they invite a friend over, they each eat four beans, but there’s still one left over! And four friends could each eat three beans, but there’s still one left over! HOW WILL THEY ESCAPE THE CURSE OF BEAN THIRTEEN?!

A funny story about beans, that may secretly be about . . . math! Sometimes you can divide, but you just can’t conquer (the bean thirteen, that is).

About this title

About the Author:

Matthew McElligott lives in Albany, New York.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3—In this humorous introduction to the concept of division, 2 bugs gather 13 beans and try to devise a way to share them evenly. Flora and Ralph think of several scenarios but in the end they still have "bean thirteen" left over. Even inviting their friends for dinner doesn't resolve the problem. Whether they plan on one guest or six, the beans cannot be arranged into equal portions. Then Ralph accidentally knocks the beans to the floor as their company arrives. He places all 13 into one bowl and each guest takes as many as he or she would like to eat. This resolves the problem, but leaves Flora and Ralph wondering who ended up consuming unlucky "bean thirteen." The story's pacing and the dialogue between the two bugs help children analyze the situation and follow the different possible grouping solutions. The large, limalike beans are a great visual aid and are easy to see when the book is read aloud. Done in pen and ink with digital effects, the cartoon illustrations feature bright hues and slightly off-kilter perspectives that will appeal to children. Youngsters will undoubtedly enjoy this funny tale; teachers will truly appreciate the connections it makes to their curriculum and the use of manipulatives in math.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
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About this edition

• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0399245359
• ISBN 13: 9780399245350
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32