Roman Numerals I to MM: Numerabilia Romana Uno ad Duo Mila [Hardcover]

Arthur Geisert (Author)

Book Description

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

With a farm of pigs as his abacus, Arthur Geisert uses elements of a search and count game to bring Roman numerals to life in this unintimidating math-concept book. First, the seven Roman numerals are equated with the correct number of piglets. Then the reader may practice counting other items—hot-air balloons, gopher holes, and more—as the remarkable adventure unfolds. (And yes, there are one thousand pigs in the etching for M!)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The porcine stars of Pigs from 1 to 10 teach kids to do as the Romans do in this numerical excursion. As Geisert exhorts readers to "count the number of pigs to find the value of [the seven single-letter Roman numerals]," pale pink pigs proliferate, romping on jungle gyms and seesaws, swimming, splashing, until, upon reaching "M," the pages are swarming. Parental guidance may be needed for those readers who lose count of the pigs on the way to 1000. Once the basics are conquered, Geisert explains how to add and subtract numbers to make other numbers (e.g., VIII). Again the pigs demonstrate, in a fancifully conceived barnyard cum playground setting rendered in Geisert's characteristically subdued palette. The mathematical adventure continues as readers practice newly acquired skills by hunting down XV balloons, IX ducks in a pond, etc.; the spreads become more colorful as piglets take to the air in festive balloons and head off on a field trip. As always, Geisert's detailed etchings reward extended perusal, and children will revel in the sheer abundance of pigs. A great lesson in Roman numerals, this book scores a certain X. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Children who learned their numbers from Geisert's Pigs from 1 to 10 (Houghton, 1992) can now move on to trickier fare with the author's latest offering. If there's one thing this book has, it's pigs-MMMDCCCLXIV of them. In addition to lots of useful information about Roman numerals (such as how to subtract a smaller number if it is before a larger one, and add it if it is after), the artist creates a lively learning experience by featuring picture puzzles in which children must count the pigs to determine the value of a numeral. This process is fairly straightforward for I, V, and X, but becomes downright hilarious for L, C, D, and M. The joyful, squealing menagerie continues from page to page, adding and dropping companions in a numeric frenzy. The searches become more challenging as the book progresses, prompting readers to find (in addition to XXXVII pigs) XIX trees or XXVIII fence posts. There is plenty of visual detail for early-elementary age children to pore over, and Geisert is careful to be methodical and predictable in his examples (though he is appropriately mysterious when it comes to more involved scenes). This book might do for Roman numerals (and for pigs) what Carmen Sandiego did for geography: highlight the spontaneous humor and enjoyment in an unrightfully maligned topic.?Jennifer Fleming, Boston Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; 1St Edition edition (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395745195
• ISBN-13: 978-0395745199
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,041,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur Geisert's unique and exquisite etchings have been widely praised and exhibited at the Chicago Institute of Art, among other museums. His work is regularly selected for the Society of Illustrators', annual Original Art exhibition, and his illustrations are now being collected by the Dubuque Museum of Art. He lives in a converted bank in Bernard, Iowa.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun way to learn and review Roman numerals., October 26, 1999

By 

Cathy M Kelly (Fort Mill, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roman Numerals I to MM: Numerabilia Romana Uno ad Duo Mila (Hardcover)

My five year old has enjoyed this book several times from the library. The pictures are unusual for children's books and appeal to his love of detail, much as the Where's Waldo books. The introduction to the numerals is very paced and certainly helped me understand them better than ever. If your child is fascinated with math, numbers or counting they will love this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Math is fun!!, February 25, 2006

By 

Patricia W. Feagans (GA ~ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roman Numerals I to MM: Liber De Difficillimo Computando Numerum (Paperback)

I've always been in love with math, and I'm so tickled to see a book that teaches Roman numerals in such a delightful (yet thorough) way. Precious precious book!!!

Patti the Crosspatch Pig :@)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We LOVE this book!!!, May 8, 2009

By 

Corraleno (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roman Numerals I to MM: Liber De Difficillimo Computando Numerum (Paperback)

I barely remember learning Roman numerals in school, and I'd forgotten most of what I learned, so when I needed to teach my own children I looked for a book that would make it fun for all of us. This book had us giggling with delight as we pointed out tiny details in the amazing pictures. In fact, the illustrations are so cute I'm thinking of buying a second copy so I can cut it up and frame some of them.

This is a book you can read again and again and see something new each time. And of course the more you read it, the better you learn Roman numerals! My 7 and 10 year olds can now read any Roman numeral (like the dates at the end of movie credits) almost instantly, and I doubt they'll ever forget them thanks to this very clever book. We LOVE it!