Eating Fractions (Hardcover)

~ Bruce Mcmillan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Self-described "photo-illustrator" McMillan ( Mary Had a Little Lamb ; One, Two, One Pair! ) continues to focus his talents on the concept picture book--and once again brings his fresh perspective to this sometimes didactic genre. In this ingenious combination of fractions and food a perky pair of budding mathematicians, boy and girl, divide a series of foods into halves, thirds and quarters. After each division they (sometimes with help from a hungry dog) delightedly devour the whole thing. These kids, though obviously posed for the photos, seem to be really enjoying themselves; their pleasure and zest is contagious in the bright, almost shadowless images. Math was never so much fun or so wholesomely delicious. Recipes and suggestions for how children can use their new math skills to measure ingredients and prepare these kid-tested treats are included. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- A mouth-watering introduction to fractions is served up by McMillan in this concept book. Full-color photos show one freckle-faced and one dark-skinned child preparing and eating an assortment of foods, each of which is pictured as a whole and then in either halves, thirds, or fourths. The progression from larger to smaller fractions is shown twice with different foods to reinforce the concept. The words for the fractions are given in very large print under the corresponding pictures along with their mathematical symbols. The foods--bananas, sweet rolls, pizza, corn, pear salad, and strawberry pie--look so appetizing that young readers will be eager to try the recipes given at the end of the book. None are difficult, and none use packaged foods or excessive sugar. The excellent photographs owe their appeal not only to their bright colors, clear focus, and good framing, but also to their winsome subjects, two infectiously happy children and a strawberry-pie eating shaggy dog. Ideal for food units in primary classrooms, this should see steady use in both school and public libraries.
- Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; Library Binding edition (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590437704
• ISBN-13: 978-0590437707
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #742,053 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy study, September 15, 2000

By	"reviewer1" (Oceania) - See all my reviews

This book is great for young children, from K-4 through about second grade. It takes the basic and simplest concept that a fraction is a part of a whole and that a whole can be divided equally into fractions (1/2, 1/3 and 1/4), and illustrates the concept. the illustrations are photographs of two children eating food, showing the food whole and then divided. The children are exuberant and their excitement seems to come through the very pages of the book. An excitement that is contagious!

A young child quickly grasps the fraction concept and can, after one or two times through the book, tell you what is a fraction. It's easy to expand and test understanding with simple questions like--if you had two muffins, how many thirds would you have? (My six year old got this right the first time through the book, just from the book, and without any previous introduction of fractions.) So the book is designed for immediate success, and hence self esteem and builds an "I can do it" attitude about math.

The recipes in the back look yummy, but I haven't tried them yet, so can't comment on them. But I do plan on trying them, and cutting the results into "fractions."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yum!, May 3, 2000

By A Customer

Bruce Macmillan's photography makes children "crave" to learn more about fractions. The photographs depict children sharing delicious treats by dividing them into equal parts. In the back of the book, Mr. Macmillan includes recipes for his tantalizing treats. This is an excellent book for teachers and parents to use to introduce fractions to young children.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cute book, June 20, 2002

By	Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has colorful photos and is an excellent in content. It is a great source for children who are trying to learn the concept of fractions/math. A great book and a fun way to learn.

My son really enjoyed this book. Quick and to the point!