Mammoth Math

 Mammoth Math by David Macaulay

1.Bibliography 

Macaulay, D. (2022). Mammoth Math. Penguin. 

 

2.Plot Summary 

In Mammoth Math, the readers learn about all things' numbers and all things math in a fun and interactive way while following the main characters. The mammoths and the elephant shrews begin with explaining the early history of math and then begin to walk the reader through the development of other math topics. The mammoth and the elephant shrews and friends are the characters throughout the book who model various aspects of math from simple addition to the puzzling patterns. There are activities with geometry, measurement, and data. There is a reference, glossary, and index section and the answers to the puzzles. 

3.Critical Analysis 

The author, David Macaulay created illustrations that show the mammoths demonstrating key math concepts in fun ways. His illustrations are detailed, and there are extra explanations for the reader to help understand the concept. His illustrations look too be colored pencil drawings, and the characters are very friendly looking.  The reader will enjoy watching the mammoth and elephant shrew explain the topics. The book is divided into chapters where each chapter focuses on math concepts such as Numbers, Puzzling Patterns, Maps, Shapes, Measurement, and Data. This book does not have to be read page by page to understand math concepts. The reader can select what pages to read while following the antics of the Mammoth and the elephant shrew.  

4.Review Excerpts 

School Library Journal starred (August 1, 2022) 

VERDICT Both classic and forward-looking, perfect for browsing and research, this exhaustive guide to the realm of number-based thinking and fact-gathering could not be any clearer.  

5. Connections 

1. Read Mammoth Science by David Macaulay 
2. Create a code from page 72-73 of Mammoth Math by David Macaulay 
3. Explore the multiplication tables on page 147. Choose 1 set that you may be struggling with and take the time to really notice 

We Are The Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball

We Are The Ship: The Story Of The Negro League Baseball By Kadir Nelson

1.Bibliography 

Nelson, Kadir, and Dion Graham. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Brilliance Audio, 2009. 

2.Plot Summary 

This book is written through the eyes of a narrator who takes the reader through the sequence of how the Negro baseball league was started. It begins with the team owners and players. The narrator tells the story of the different players in the league describing their strengths and the gift they had as athletes in baseball. The narrator shares the difficulties that the players faced while playing in the league. Then the narrator wraps the story up by explaining how the Negro League eventually ended after Jackie Robinson began playing in the Majors.  

3.Critical Analysis 

The author and illustrator Kadir Nelson has put together a book that is beautifully done. During the reading of the story the reader feels like they are sitting with the narrator as he is telling stories “Back when.” These are the stories that make personal connections between the reader and the baseball players. Nelson does a fantastic job of explaining the difficulties that the Negroes faced while traveling from town to town and even thought it was not fair Nelson does not dwell on the fact that the treatment was not fair instead, he chooses to focus on how the baseball players overcame these challenges. Nelson creates his chapters in the book by calling them innings and quoting people from the book. The artwork Nelson created for this book is stunning. His oil paintings are so beautiful. This book is easily a book that the reader can pick up and read an “inning” over and over and really investigate the art on that pages and see the characteristics of the players that Nelson writes about. Overall, just a stunning book. 

4.Review Excerpts 

Booklist starred (February 1, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 11)) 

If the story is the pitch, though, it’s the artwork that blasts the book into the stands. 

Horn Book Magazine (May/June, 2008) 

His grand slam, though, is the art: Nelson's oil paintings have a steely dignity, and his from-the-ground perspectives make the players look larger than life. 

Kirkus Reviews starred (December 1, 2007) 

Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times. 

Awards: 

ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009 

Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2009 

5. Connections 

1. On page 9 of the book, Rube Foster he stated, “We are the ship; all else is the sea?” Discuss with a partner what he meant by this statement. 
2. Reading this book is like walking through an Art Museum. Choose a painting and write about what you notice, what you feel, what the characters might feel or be thinking.  
3. Create a giant timeline of events from the book as a class, then display as a bulletin board of events. Include all main points made by the author.   
4. Choose a player from the book. Research information on that player and create your own "baseball card" with a picture and stats. Show a sample card for reference.