2 X 2 = Boo: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories [Paperback]

Loreen Leedy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Multiplication is made frightfully fun! A table is included.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4?A funny introduction to basic multiplication, with witches, cats, and monsters demonstrating the consequences of multiplying numbers from 0 to 5. The illustrations are done in muted, autumnal tones of black, blue, orange, and mustard, and arranged in a comic-strip format. The text is all in dialogue balloons, as various creatures see the need to eliminate foes (multiplying by 0) or increase their bounty. The concepts are clear and understandable. The only thing missing here is theory?why does multiplying something by 0 equal 0? Leedy's book presents an entertaining alternative to rote memorization; it's a little silly, but it works.?JoAnn Rees, Sunnyvale Public Library, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 1^-4. Witches, vampires, bats, and skeletons are some of the Halloween creatures in these cheerfully ghoulish math stories. How do you make boo stew for 5 if the recipe serves only one? Answer: multiply all the ingredients by 5; that means multiplying five bouncy eyeballs, 10 knobby knuckles, 15 ears, and 20 toes. The first chapter, about the number zero, is the most difficult (How do you make a vampire vanish? Answer: multiply him by zero), but the concept is demonstrated with a great many examples of disappearing creatures. After that, it's pretty straightforward multiplication from one to five. Leedy's pictures, in comic style, are gory and silly, and kids will work out the numbers as they giggle at the creepy monsters. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (P) (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823412725
• ISBN-13: 978-0823412723
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been writing and illustrating picture books for children for over twenty-five years. Though I majored in art in college, at the time I wasn't sure what kind of artist to be. Fortunately, it turned out that combining words and art to create picture books was a perfect career for me. Most of my books center around a particular topic such as fractions, the solar system, writing, and so on. The characters and story lines help put the subject matter into a meaningful context for young readers.

After growing up mostly in Delaware, I moved to central Florida a couple of decades ago, and currently live with my husband Andy on a three acre property with hawks, herons, and horses (the horses live next door.) We love the rustle of the pines in the breeze, the screeching of sandhill cranes flying overhead, and the chattering of many small birds that come and go as they please.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Halloween Math, September 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories (Hardcover)

This educational math book has a simple approach to help children understand multiplication. The book is so clever. Each chapter is the corresponding multiplcation number. The chapters walk the reader through the concept of multiplication arrays. This enables the reader to visually grasp the concept of multiplication. The book is centered around spooky halloween topics, but is exciting enough for any season. Children will want to reexplore this book often, well after they have learned all their times tables.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elementary Educ review, October 26, 2004

By 

Carissa Lamm - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 2 x 2 = boo!: A set of spooky multiplication stories

My niece enjoyed this book very much - she is quite an intelligent 9 year-old, so I thought that she would be a good choice for excellent feedback afterwards. This collection of stories teaches kids multiplication facts from 0 to 5, and visually illustrates each equation, so this will definately appeal to visual learners. My niece found this somewhat simple, but she is a bit advanced for her age. Regardless, she told me that she thought it would help kids learn math in a fun way. Something else she noticed was that the chapter numbers corresponded to the multiplication fact, and she thought that was creative. I would use this in a classroom while teaching the basics of multiplication, as it would benefit all learning levels, but would really benefit those kids that are challenged by math.

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love this book, August 14, 2011

By 

Westsider (Santa Monica, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 2 X 2 = Boo: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories (Paperback)

My 6 year and 4 year old sons can't get enough of this book. I read it in funny, spooky voices, and they request it at least once a day. It's advanced for the 4 year-old, but there's no harm in his being exposed to the mathematical concepts.