Anno's Math Games (Paperback)

~ Mitsumasa Anno (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

By reinventing the wheel, the author of Anno's Counting House, Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar and the recent Socrates and the Three Little Pigs brings to math an intuitive understanding of numbers, sequence and order, which he passes on to readers. He starts with the concept of comparison and difference: in a row of blue squares, a red circle sticks outit's different. He then introduces the idea of proximity: he shows a cat and a mouse, stuck together back to back; and that new things are created by combining two or more disparate objects (including ideas and language), as in putting wheels or handles on things. Then he discusses the meaning of ordered sequence, hierarchy and orientation as in a deck of cards. However, unlike Humpty Dumpty, what one takes apart can be put back together again. Anno emphasizes the importance of knowing one's place in the order of things by talking about the Cartesian coordinate system that locates and places things. Once again, Anno proves that thinking need not be abstract and dry, and math is more than mere measuring sticks. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

K Up From extremely simple ``what is different?'' pictures, Anno quickly builds in complexity to tables, mapping, bar graphs, and visual presentations of proportions. It is not clear what the intended audience for this attractive book is. The bright, intriguing pictures and easy beginning will entice preschoolers, but even with an adult's help, few of them could make it all the way through this book. Most third graders could read the directions for themselves, but are likely to find some parts too easy, others too hard to tackle alone, and the ``Few Notes for Parents, Teachers, and Other Older Readers'' is disappointingly full of philosophy and chary of ``right'' answers. Perhaps teachers could best use Anno's Math Games to supplement math texts. The section on measuring and proportions is especially valuable. Unlike most math games and puzzles, these are not concerned with numbers at all. Instead of numbers, Anno uses pictures; instead of equations, he works toward an intuitive feeling for what sort of answers are required. Margaret Chatham, formerly at Smithtown Lib . , N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 103 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (September 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698116712
• ISBN-13: 978-0698116719
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #359,364 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars they won't even know they're learning math, June 13, 2006

By	R. Werner (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is amazing for children. I actually grew up reading this book, and I am now majoring in math. Anno's books teach kids the concepts of math, without confusing them with all the math words. This is perfect for small children, because they can easily understand the concepts in this book - like "Which of these things is not like the other", pairing coats and pockets to make a coat with pockets, different colored hats, etc. Don't be put out if your small child can't do arithmetic right after reading this book - it is not intended to teach arithmetic, but instead to teach the cognitive skills necessary to master arthimetic LATER. I say read it to your toddler, your elementary school children, your high schooler, anyone can benefit from this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, creative math lessons, October 5, 2008

By	Aeron Noe - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My daughter loves workbooks. She'll be 4 this week, and we stumbled upon this book in our favorite bookstore about a month ago. Although we don't let her write in it (saving it for our younger son to use, too), she is in love with it. It is challenging. I find she can do about three pages with me, thinking very hard about all the concepts presented, before she gets tired. This is great, because normally she sits down and plows through a book cover to cover. I was afraid the concepts would be too difficult for her, and to be honest, they would probably be better for an older child, but she is able to understand and get a lot out of it. It teaches concepts like same and different (pick the picture that's different), putting together and taking apart (pictures of inventions and the two separate tools they combine, chart reading activity where you figure out where the kids' colorful clothing goes on a chart that separates color from clothing item), etc. All of this is done with fun little elfish characters. Got to say, I love this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book for toddlers, November 27, 2007

By	M. Appleton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anno's Math Games is a fantastic book that teaches math concepts to children (and the adults reading to them). In a gifted combination of very clear text and entertaining illustrations, this book teaches some of the major math concepts in an easy to understand and entertaining way. I read this one as well as Anno's other books to my children when they were little and it was a favorite of theirs. I strongly recommend it.