Books that are about math and science are huge in our house since we are self proclaimed and proud geeks. Over the summer, we received a complementary copy of the book 1 + 1 = 5 (Amazon affiliate link) from Sterling Children’s Books. When we opened the package, NHL (7) immediately gravitated toward the book. He ran off to check it out since he was wondering why it stated that 1 + 1 = 5.

As you can see, JSL joined in to read the book with NHL. The two of them sat there looking at the illustrations and giggled. When NHL was done reading, we talked about the book. He liked how there was a twist to the traditional math rules. Since he had just finished first grade, he was able to understand the concept behind the book. We also talked about making our own pages to our own family version of 1 + 1 = 5.

I loved how it made NHL think outside of the box. He quickly picked up on how 1 + 1 = 5 since 1 set of triplets + 1 set of twins = 5 babies! The books continues on with over a dozen other addition problems in this fashion. It involves problem solving with the initial page that has illustrations to give clues to children that may assist them. Then, on the next page, the new found addition problem is explained. Here is an example from the book:

Over all, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it for children that are 5 years old or older. I think that children need a basic knowledge of early mathematics to truly appreciate the book. As a teacher, I love that there is already a guide to use with the book that you can download. Of course, even before that my brain was racing a mile a minute with extensions of the activity. One night, I used Picnik to create my own Halloween page for 1 + 1 = 5 to share. Here it is:

As you can see, children could use a technology connection to make pages for a class book online. Truly, the possibilities are endless and can go where ever your creativity leads you.

More about 1 + 1 = 5:

1 + 1 = 5 – Written by David LaRochelle – Illustrated by Brenda Sexton – Sterling Children’s Books – On sale September 2010 – ISBN 978-1-4027-5995-6 – $14.95 – Ages 5 and up

So what have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Tuesday Tales and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

BTW – Be sure to check out the Fall Festival of Children’s Books on FiveMinutesforBooks. Just click on the button below to see more details about the festival. Have fun and please link up any books that you have read this week and see you back here next Tuesday. (Ooops – just realized this ended yesterday Sept. 27th. Still a great resource with links to books for children)