Customer Reviews

Zero Is The Leaves On The Tree

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The shape of number zero is that of a small oval egg in a nest. Sometimes it is hard to imagine the number zero actually means. Just imagine everyone had taken all the balls out of the bin during recess. A little boy peeks hopefully over the edge of the bin, but there are zero balls left. When fall arrives, the winds and rains have taken the leaves from the trees and "Zero is . . . the leaves on the bare, brown arms of the oak tree."

When two boys go fishing and the winter airs have arrived the ducks have flown away. "0 ducks." When the snowflakes begin to fall, everyone holds out their mittens to catch the first flakes. "0 sounds." The snows eventually melt away and the hillsides are muddy and there are no sleds to be seen. "0 sleds." There are many ways to describe the number zero. Can you think of any?

There are many counting books for young children to explore number concepts, but this is the first one I have seen trying to explain the concept of zero. It is written in very simple sentences, but they are very clear and easy for the younger child to understand. Most of the situations in this book describe experiences that most children have except perhaps for the winter scenes. The concept of the number zero is very important in mathematics and this book is an excellent way to introduce it!

How do you define zero? How do you draw a picture of nothing? The author and the illustrator make a valiant attempt in this picture book for ages 5-8. The problem lies in portraying negative space. Zero is the sleds on the hillside when the snow melts. How do you draw them if they are not there? Zero is the kites in the sky when there's no wind. How do you draw no kites? Sometimes the attempt is too strained and even confusing, as in, "Zero is the bikes in the bike rack on the last day of school." I thought, if it is the last day, then the kids would attend school on the last day, and there would be bikes. But this was supposed to represent zero. Does that mean no one came on the last day? I know, I know, I am overthinking it. I am sure this book will be great for pre-readers, who have someone reading to them. Then the reader can explain each concept and make it clearer.

This a great book to help children grasp the concept of zero. It's actually more difficult for young children than you might expect. The idea of a number for counting nothing can be a challenge. What a beautiful and poetic introduction to this concept. It would be a great way to begin a unit study on the concept of zero! I will be using it with my preschooler!

really nice way to explain autumn to a 2-4 year old... We all loved it and will read over and over...

A lovely book that also introduces the concept of zero. It will be a good book to use for a writing exercise for teachers.

Shino Arihara's drawings accompany the fine counting book pairing math concepts with encouragement for kids to find numbers in their world - specifically, zero - in everything from tree branches to stars. How do you count zero, a number defined by what isn't there? ZERO IS THE LEAVES ON THE TREE is a poetic account of how.