The M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Counting Book [Paperback]

Barbara Barbieri McGrath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1994 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

This yummy counting book teaches the numbers 1 through 12, the six colors of the "M&M's" Chocolate Candies, and three primary shapes--the square, circle, and triangle. Young readers are introduced to simple math and even learn the sets of 12. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This insignificant addition to the crowded shelves of counting books encourages children to use M&M candies--in specific color configurations--to practice counting from one to 12, and then to form the various sets of 12 (six groups of two; three groups of four, etc.) as well as the shapes of a square, circle and triangle. From its opening lines ("Pour out the candies. Get ready, get set. / This counting book is the tastiest yet!"), the rhymed text is rather banal, and the art--which consists entirely of depictions of these small round candies--is limited and monotonous. Finally, the book ends with a lesson in subtraction, in which youngsters are encouraged to eat the pieces, color by color, until none remains. Perhaps the sugar will give them a kick; unfortunately, this slim book doesn't offer much food for thought. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

About the Author

After many years as a teacher and freelance writer, Barbara Barbieri McGrath is now a full-time author of children's books. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts, with her husband and their two children. --This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (July 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881068535
• ISBN-13: 978-0881068535
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #537,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who knew math could be fun!, November 1, 2004

By 

Kathy M. Newsom (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Counting Book (Paperback)

The M & M's Brand Counting Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath is a mathematical workbook that uses an easily identifiable object to children, M&M candies, as a math manipulative. The book uses text as well as drawings to illustrate the mathematical concepts being taught. Readers learn to count from 0-12, addition, subtraction, basic shapes (circle, square, triangle), grouping objects in sets, and the six basic colors of M&M's candies (brown, yellow, orange, red, blue, and green). I brought The M & M's Brand Counting Book to a kindergarten classroom to get children's opinions of the book. I also wanted to observe their reactions to the math lessons being put forth as well as their understanding of those lessons. Once the M&M's candies were passed out and the reading had commenced it certainly didn't feel or sound like a stereotypical math classroom. Laughs and giggles echoed off the walls as children enjoyed learning about math. David remarked, "Math is fun!"

As a whole the class truly enjoyed the book. Christopher said, "The M&M's Brand Counting Book -it helped me learn math." The one drawback I observed with the book was that several of the children had difficulty when it came to grouping the M&M's into sets. I would recommend skipping that section of the book when using it in a classroom with younger children, or allowing extra time and repetition when teaching this concept. Nicole expressed the majority of the classroom's sentiments when she exclaimed, "My favorite part of the book was eating the M&M's."

I would strongly recommend The M&M's Brand Counting Book for use in the classroom. It teaches basic math concepts in a fun and entertaining way. There is a review page and the end of book in order to reinforce the recently taught concepts. The review page is a good indicator to the teacher of what the students have learned and where they need further study and practice in order to master the concept. Christopher's mother called to let me know how much he had enjoyed the book. She said that on a recent visit to the bookstore he discovered the sequel More M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Math and couldn't wait to purchase it. Barbara Barbieri McGrath, you couldn't ask for a better testimonial of your book. You should be proud of your work, you have accomplished a truly remarkable feat---children are enjoying math!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delicious way to teach your child colors, numbers, etc., August 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The M and M's Brand Counting Book (School & Library Binding)

I homeschool my two older children and wanted a book that I could use with my 4-year old just for fun. When we set down to our 'homeschool time' she had a blast. We sorted the M&M's by color, counted so many of each color, learned simple addition and shapes. The best part came at the end of the book where we learned subtraction and ate the M&M's. My daughter's eyes got very big and she asked, "You mean REALLY eat them?"

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Math Is Oh, So Sweet!, November 4, 2001

By 

crazy4canines (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Counting Book (Paperback)

My six year old daughter has been struggling with subtraction
facts. She can do any word problem, but the facts just made no
sense to her. I have used concrete objects as well as several
"math books" to help her make sense of it all, but with no
results. Then I thought of buying this book. That's all that it took! My child is no longer frustrated and confused about the
meaning of subtraction. Best of all, she likes math now, and yes,
eating the m&m's was a surprise bonus. As a fifth grade teacher
and mom of a first grader, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to any
teacher or parent who simply wants to do fun activities with math. It's especially helpful to children who can't quite grasp
the concept of simple subtraction. I think the author should have
included some "counting back" facts after she introduced the first fact (12-1). It would've been so easy and sensible to go
ahead with (12-2), (12-3),etc. My daughter and I did a few count
back facts at this point in the book, and it made sense to her.
This is the reason for my rating of 4 stars.