Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature - Hardcover

Campbell, Sarah C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590787528 ISBN 13: 9781590787526

Publisher: Astra Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

ALSC Notable Children's Book

A wonderful introduction to one of the most beautiful connections between mathematics and the natural world–the Fibonacci sequence–through a series of stunning nature photographs.

Discover the biggest mathematical mystery in nature—Fibonacci numbers! Named after a famous mathematician, the number pattern is simple and starts with: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. Each number in the sequence comes from adding the two numbers before it. What's the mystery? The pattern crops up in the most unexpected places. You'll find it in the disk of a sunflower, the skin of a pineapple, and the spiral of a nautilus shell.

This book brings math alive, celebrates science, and will inspire kids to see nature through new eyes.

About this title

About the Author

Sarah C. Campbell is the author of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. Her writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Highlights for Children and the New York Times. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

Richard P. Campbell is co-photographer of the acclaimed children's nonfiction book Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. He lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

Grade 3–6—This slim, attractive volume makes clear the appearance and significance of Fibonacci numbers in nature, both through simple, precise explanations and eye-catching photographs. With plenty of white space and crisp images, the design of the book is appealing. Details about Fibonacci himself, other interesting mathematical concepts such as the "golden ratio," and a glossary are included. With such an obscure topic, this book may have a difficult time finding an audience, but math teachers looking to add an interesting element to a lesson will find this a solid choice, and future mathematicians will be drawn into the magic and mystery of Fibonacci numbers.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This book introduces the Fibonacci sequence, which begins 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. Each new number is determined by adding the two preceding it. The presentation uses color photos of flowers with different numbers of petals to illustrate the beginning of the sequence, follows up with photographs highlighting the different spirals seen on pinecones, sunflowers, and pineapples, and includes a picture showing the chambers in a cut-away nautilus shell. The design of the first series of illustrations graphically expresses the Fibonacci sequence by beginning with very small photos and gradually increasing their size in proportion to the numbers in sequence. The book’s intended audience is unclear. The short, simple text on some early pages (“This is a flowering quince. Count the petals.”) will probably put off older readers, while young children may have difficulty even predicting the next number in the sequence, much less understanding the appended “More about Fibonacci Numbers” page. Though the Fibonacci sequence is seldom taught in elementary schools, teachers wanting to introduce it will find the basic ideas here, illustrated with attractive photos. Grades 2-5. --Carolyn Phelan

Edition details

• Publisher: Astra Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1590787528
• ISBN 13: 9781590787526
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32