A Remainder of One [AUDIOBOOK] (Paperback)

by Elinor J Pinczes (Author), Bonnie MacKain (Illustrator) "The story of Joe might just well explain what happens to numbers when they must remain after division, and they're left behind as lonesome remainders..." (more)
Key Phrases: Joe's Sergeant Steven

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
As they did in One Hundred Hungry Ants, Pinczes and MacKain apply numerical division to a practical problem-and explain it in an entertaining, visually emphatic way. Keeping to the insect theme, Pinczes introduces the "25th Army Corps," a regiment of 25 beetles on parade. Their blue bug queen "likes things tidy," and when the bugs march two by two, she notices that one bug brings up the rear. The unfortunate Joe has to stand aside rather than be a "remainder"; on the days that follow, Joe tries dividing the squadron into symmetrical rows of three, then four and, finally, five, when he is at last accommodated. Rather than endorse conformity, this rhyming tale focuses on Joe's search for a solution. And lest squadron-like precision trouble readers, each big-eyed "bug-soldier" has a unique patterned shell. MacKain even ensures that the same beetle characters-one with a pointy nose, two wearing glasses, etc.-appear in every spread, allowing readers to play spot-the-bug. Rendered in dusty blues and pasture-green with warm yellow, red and pink accents, her linocut-style art vibrates with energy. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3?As they did in One Hundred Hungry Ants (Houghton, 1993), Pinczes and MacKain present a mathematical concept through rhyming text and simple illustrations. Here, an army of insects is planning a parade, but each formation that the squadron comes up with for its 25 members?two lines of twelve, three of eight, four of six?leaves Joe Bug standing alone, a remainder of one. After much cogitation, Joe finally comes up with the solution: five lines of five. The rhyming has an old-fashioned tone reminiscent of Peter Newell's books. MacKain's blue bugs are large, friendly looking, and anthropomorphic. The queen has blonde curls. This will provide a fine accompaniment to a math lesson on division. Children will identify with Joe's predicament?being left out again and again?and will certainly have a clearer understanding of remainders after reading this story.?Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618250778
• ISBN-13: 978-0618250776
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,692 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, February 22, 2003

By	Paula Burch - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Remainder of One (Hardcover)

We loved "One Hundred Hungry Ants", written and illustrated by the same team, but "A Remainder of One" is flawed by having language that is more advanced than the mathematical skill it is intended to teach. I would recommend it for a child who is advanced enough in language to have no problems with the meanings of words such as "former", and "infantry", and yet slow enough in math to need the lesson that 25 leaves a remainder of one when divided by 2, 3, or 4, but not 5. I spent more time explaining to my six-year-old child that the sergeant is Joe's boss, and that "former" means what he used to be but no longer is, than I spent on reading the book! The attractive block-print illustrations lack the clever jokes of those found in "One Hundred Hungry Ants", as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Elisa-Elementary Ed. Student Uof A &Pima, March 11, 2005

By	elisa "Elisa" (tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Remainder of One (Hardcover)

I read this to my cousins, one is eight and the other is six, they both really liked the story, it's formats and pictures. However the connection to math was not as clear for them,they felt the "One Hundred Hungry Ants" was much clearer when dealing with math.

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great curriculum opportunity!, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Remainder of One (Hardcover)

This book was an awesome resource for teaching my third graders about division! They enjoyed almost as much as I did.