Millions to Measure [Hardcover]

David M. Schwartz (Author), Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Marvelosissimo
the Mathematical Magician
measures magnificently!

Your favorite wizard is back -- and ready to explore the invention of length, weight, and volume measurements. How tall is Moonbeam, the unicorn? How long are the whiskers of Jello, the cat? And just how heavy is that darling hog? Tons and teaspoons and ounces and feet and yards and miles ... what a headache! With millions of things to measure, wouldn't one standard system be simpler?

With another wave of the wand, Marvelosissimo introduces you to the world of metrics and makes it easy to understand the basic pattern of meters, liters, and grams. And with Steven Kellogg's playful and delightfully detailed illustrations, measuring has never been such a blast!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-The creators of How Much Is a Million? (1985) and If You Made a Million (1989, both Lothrop) bring forth another great resource in this book about weights and measures. Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician returns, this time to teach kids about how measurement was developed many years ago, and was first based on feet. The book traces the development of standard units of measure for distance, weight, and volume, then describes the development of the metric system in the late 1700s. A three-page appendix offers more in-depth information about the metric system. Kellogg's trademark whimsical illustrations clarify the concepts presented. As in the previous books, Schwartz presents them in a logical, step-by-step progression, with plenty of examples to provide practical context. The text is clear and brief enough for classroom presentation. This book is sure to join its predecessors as a staple.
Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 1-4. Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician, who made his first appearance in How Much Is a Million? (1985), returns just in time to explain the history of measurement to four curious children (and a dog). Beginning in prehistoric times and making his way to the present (with its current uneasy mixture of adherence and resistance to the metric system), Schwartz not only manages to impart a good deal of basic information about linear, weight, and volume measurements but also entertains the reader. He receives ample support from illustrator Kellogg, who contributes enough merry madness to make learning fun. Bright with shining colors, the large, detailed pictures brim with action and humor as well as history and math. Word balloons allow the characters to become good supporting actors who comment on the action, offer comic relief, and occasionally set up Marvelosissimo with a pertinent question. On the last three illustration-free pages, Schwartz offers a straightforward presentation on the metric system for older children. His tips on learning to "think metric" may be helpful to teachers as well. The froth of fun that lightens this book's educational intent may help American children absorb their centimeters and kilometers with relative ease. In fact, the more generous among them may want to share this book with their metrically challenged parents. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688129161
• ISBN-13: 978-0688129163
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Measuring Made Easy and Fun....., May 21, 2003

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Millions to Measure (Hardcover)

"There are millions of things-and many ways-to measure. Let's fly back in time and see how people measured many years ago..." Marvelosissimo the Magician's takes the reader from prehistoric times to the present on an entertaining and informative tour of measurement. Author, David Schwartz's engaging text, written in an easy to read, conversational style, tells the story of length, weight, and volume, and is rich in history, fun facts, and trivia. Illustrator, Steven Kellogg's cartoon-like artwork is bright and playful and each busy page is filled with humor, eye-catching, expressive detail, and clever asides. Youngsters will revel in all the easy to understand, measuring fun. A terrific explanation of the metric system concludes this little gem of a picture book, and both students and teachers will find hours of fun practicing and using the concepts they learn here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent childrens book on measurement, December 18, 2006

By 

Paul Armstrong (Mountain View, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Millions to Measure (Hardcover)

We recently got "Millions to Measure" for our daughter and it's a wonderful introduction to measuring systems and how they've progressed over time.
If you've got a small child and want to introduce them to measuring systems, I highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Illustrations and GREAT learning tool!, April 15, 2010

By 

R. Wimmersberger - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Millions to Measure (Paperback)

I looked at this book first because it is illustrated by one of my favorite artisits, but after reading it I realized it was also a great learning tool. We have read and referenced this book MANY times over the last 2 years, checking it out from the library so many times, I finally decided I needed to buy it! It is great for ANY age to help teach or revisit units of measurement. I have 3 children, everytime one of them begins a measurement unit at school, we send it in for the teacher to read in class and they LOVE it! But it is also just fun to read and look at! I have been asked to read it or caught the kids reading it even when we are not "studying"! My youngest is 3 and not quite old enough to grasp the concepts, but LOVES the pictures and because it is written so well and in a "fun" way, she enjoys listening to the story without even realizing she is learning! It is a wonderful book and while your at, you should search out other books by this author and illustrator! They are both equally amazing at what they do individually, but teamed up in this book (and their others) it is just wonderful!