1+1=5: and Other Unlikely Additions

K-Gr 2–This clever concept book asks children to take a fresh look at simple addition. Are there times when one plus one can equal three and not two? Yes–if you add one unicorn and one goat, you get three horns. Can one plus one ever equal five? Yes, because when you add one set of triplets and one set of twins, you get five babies. After sharing the numerous examples provided, children can be asked to stretch their imaginations and come up with their own quirky equations. Sexton's brightly colored digitally rendered cartoonlike illustrations are not only cheerful and attractive, but they also provide subtle clues. For example, in the one plus one equals three problem, the unicorn and the goat are seated in the library, one reading a book on mythical beasts, one reading a book on barnyard buddies. The horns are obscured by the equation itself, and are then revealed on the next page. Observant children will enjoy playing detective. The book can be read independently but would also be fun to share with a group. A great way to encourage outside-the-box thinking.Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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Starting with the title, this lively picture book offers fun math puzzles. Questions on each right-hand page present the puzzles with clues, while the answers appear with a turn of the page. How can 1 + 1 = 7? Flip the page and discover that 1 triangle and 1 square equals 7 sides. The bright, clear digital artwork illustrates the answers so that kids can easily count along. This is not for the youngest children, and it may confuse beginners just learning to count. But for students with a grasp of basic math, this provides lots of enjoyable exercises. They might start with easier examples, such as 1 + 1 = 10 (1 left foot + 1 right foot = 10 toes) before moving on to the more difficult physics: 1 + 1 = 1 (1 a.m. + 1 p.m. = 1 day). Some spreads touch on biology facts, too: 1 ant + 1 spider = 14 legs. And sports: 1 basketball team + 1 hockey team = 11 players. As in Stuart Murphy’s MathStart books, the engaging situations will make kids count and think. Grades K-3. --Hazel Rochman