Multiplying Menace: The Revenge Of Rumpelstiltskin (A Math Adventure) [Paperback]

Pam Calvert (Author), Wayne Geehan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2006 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: A Math Adventure

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Ten years after being tricked, Rumpelstiltskin returns to the royal family to wreak vengeance and Peter must unlock the secret of his multiplying stick in order to save the kingdom, in a whimsical book that includes nonfiction math notes about multiplying by whole numbers and by fractions.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-It's been 10 years since the queen defeated Rumpelstiltskin by speaking his name, but now he's back to demand repayment for all of the gold he spun for her so many years ago. If she does not oblige, he threatens to increase the pest population and make the kingdom's livestock and other assets disappear by multiplying with fractions. Rumpelstiltskin multiplies the king's nose by six and vows to do the same for the entire royal court, unless Peter, the queen's 10-year-old son, agrees to go with him to work off the debt. It's up to the young prince to take possession of the man's magical multiplying stick and learn how to use it in order to restore normalcy to the kingdom. Calvert has created an interesting vehicle for teaching children about the differences between multiplying with whole numbers and multiplying with fractions. While obviously an educational product, her presentation is creative. Unfortunately, the audience for this book is fairly specific, and, as such, is limited. Children who have not been exposed to these concepts will likely be confused by the math component of the story. In some areas, multiplication of fractions is not taught until the last years of elementary school, but the book's format is unlikely to appeal to them. It's unfortunate, because Calvert has written an enjoyable teaching tool, and Geehan's luminous and expressive paintings are perfect for this fairy-tale world.-Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Calvert has written an enjoyable teaching tool, and Geehan's luminous and expressive paintings are perfect for this fairy-tale world." --School and Library Journal

Students will be drawn in to a math adventure that is solved by, well, numbers. --Veritas Press

Pam Calvert uses the age-old fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin to tell a fascinating story involving multiplication of whole numbers and fractions. --Open Wide Look Inside Podcast

"This clever adaptation will surely bring some excitement to your next math lesson." --Treasure Family Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570918902
• ISBN-13: 978-1570918902
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Stories
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > Counting
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > General

More About the Author

Pam Calvert is an award winning children's author of many nationally acclaimed picture books. She is best known for her Princess Peepers series--the only princess who wears glasses. Her other titles include her funny math adventures--Multiplying Menace and The Multiplying Menace Divides.

Because she used to be a science teacher as well as a writing instructor/UIL coach, she speaks to thousands of children every year, encouraging them to achieve their dream and to love math through the use of literature. When she is not speaking or writing, you can find her having fun with her family in Texas.

To learn more about her or to book a school visit, go to her website at www.pamcalvert.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A FUN WAY TO GENERATE SOME INTEREST IN MATH. Well written and illustrated little work here!, November 23, 2011

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Multiplying Menace: The Revenge Of Rumpelstiltskin (A Math Adventure) (Paperback)

At first glance, i.e. judging a book by its cover, you would think that this is another version; a follow-up if you will, of the old Rumplestiltskin fairy tale, which by the way was fine with me as I am rather fond of this old story. But no, no, no...what a sneaky author we have here! While this work is indeed a rousing tale featuring the rotten little guy we all grew up with, it is so much more. In this little book we are given a wonderful math lesson dealing with multiplication of numbers and fractions.

There are basically two kinds of people in this world when it comes to math; those that "get it" and those like myself that "don't get it." If you wonder down the halls of just about any middle school or high school in the country and ask random kids what they think about math the most common answer by far is "math sux." I will be honest with you and tell you that has been my standard answer since about the age of five. (Maybe not in those word, but pretty close). This is a pity, really. I think that one of the problems is that there are so many of us that fall into the category of "don't get it" that we have found very little about math that is actually fun! This little book is actually one of those rare little gems you find now and then that does actually make math fun!

Peter, the little boy who was suppose to be given to Rumplestiltskin as the menacing little guy's payment for making straw into gold, is having his tenth birthday and Rumple shows up to collect. When he is refused the brings havoc to the kingdom using his magic walking stick to multiply things that should not be multiplied, i.e. bugs, rats, mice, noses and such, and to make things vanish through multiplication such as guards, cows, pigs, chickens and such...troubles, troubles, troubles!

To make a long story short, Peter gives himself up and goes o live with the Rumpleman. He steals his magic walking stick and through multiplication escapes and goes on to set things right throughout the kingdom and eventually defeating the pesky little rapscallion.

We have wonderful little mathematic word sentences throughout the book such as:

"He put two chairs in front of Rumpelstiltskin's bed. "Chairs times fifty," he said pointing the stick. A wall of 100 chairs blocked the bed."

and

"How many stepping stones ere here before?" he asked.

"Twenty-seven," the boy said. "I count them everyday as I walk across. No there are only three sones left."

Peter picked up twenty-seven pebbles and put them down in groups of three. Then he pointed the walking stick and said, "Stepping stones times nine."

Whole numbers and fractions are used with these little problems and used quite effectively and blended into the story perfectly to the point that the young child is learning but not realizing it.

The art work in this one by Wayne Geehan is great...very quirky and very appealing.

I have to tell you folks, there is very little about this book not to like. It is a wonderful teaching tool and a great motivator.

Now this book did not make me personally become more fond of math; I am simply too old and stubborn and refuse to change my ways or attitude, but perhaps it will go far in changing a young person's attitude who is not so set in her or his ways...you never know!

Don Blankenship

The Ozarks

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Really Good!", June 3, 2006

By 

Erwin Schrodinger (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin (A Math Adventure) (Hardcover)

My daughter read this book and I asked her how it was. I knew what her answer would be before I even asked, because she always gives the same answer to questions like this: "Goodish." How was school? Goodish. How was the movie? Goodish. How was Multiplying Menace? "Really good!" If that's not a 5 star rating, I don't know what is.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donise's Review, October 6, 2008

By 

Donise L. Lei - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin (A Math Adventure) (Hardcover)

This is a great math adventure about multiplying numbers and fractions for older children. It is very clever. With its use of magic, it appeals to fanciful side of every student.