Calculating Chimpanzees, Brainy Bees, and Other Animals with Mind-Blowing Mathematical Abilities by Stephanie Gibeault, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett | Ages 9 to 12
My thoughts: This book is from MIT KIDS PRESS, so you know it's going to be heavy and "spot-on" right on its science and math. Got a budding mathematician or brainiac in your family? This is a got-to-have non-fiction for the kiddies.
It's not short on words! It spells it all out in mathematical mind-blowing "factuary" wordy glory. And to make it more fun, it involves animals and other critters. We've know scientists have been working with chimpanzees to discover their intellectual capabilities. Now we can see more astounding information about how various critters think.
The chapters take a look at studies being conducted to discover what, if any, mathematical abilities or understanding of math concepts the various species exibit capabilities. There seem to be indicative results that purport that some do possess the ability to conceptualize a counting system.
As an individual who is not at all skilled mathematically, the concept of animals being able to reason and use concepts of math is humbling.
This book belongs in the homes of any child that is gifted mathematically and most certainly in classrooms and school libraries.
About the book: Could your pet help you with your math homework? Discover how amazing animals use number sense in this fun and fact-filled investigation.
Animals know a lot more about numbers than you might think. Guppies can tell large numbers from small ones, hyenas can count, and chimpanzees can use Arabic numerals! Readers will get to know these extraordinary animals and more—and how scientists study their number sense. Secret word - smart. Each chapter wraps up with an interview with a researcher and a hands-on activity that give readers the chance to challenge their own math skills. Illustrations brimming with personality, along with colorful photos, sidebars, and splashy facts, make for an entertaining delve into these fascinating studies in this second book in the Extraordinary Animals series. A bibliography as well as an “Add to Your Knowledge” section at the back encourage more discovery.
Wildlife Crossings: Protecting Animal Pathways Around the World by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Christiane Engel | Ages 5 to 9
My thoughts: An interesting and nicely designed look at seven types of wildlife and how their natural ancestral pathways has been impacted by human civilization. Looking at the issue, the author and illustrator specifically look at seven types of wildlife from aquatic, terrane, and air. After identifying the wildlife and the location on Earth, the natural ancestral pathways are looked at and how the wildlife reacts to human interference. Then a look at what mankind is doing to restore the natural habitat pathways wandering wildlife need in order to exist with as little impact as possible on wildlife and mankind.
Four pages of information detail the type of wildlife and locale it which it lives. Then how the problem is specifically addressed to support life for critter and man. A fun detail is search and count.
Pages are packed with nuggets of information in short paragraphs and sentences. This makes for "not-a-textbook" style learning and allows readers to peruse entirety of illustrations and text in discovery mode.
A good addition to science class libraries or classroom libraries.
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Wildlife tend to trample through villages on old pathways. (This page has a "can you find" task.) |
About the book: How have we prevented wild animals from accessing the pathways they need to survive? A look at seven species that humans have put at risk and are now trying to help.
From the cocreators of Water: How We Can Protect Our Freshwater comes a compelling picture book about threatened animal species around the world, among them elephants, hedgehogs, spoon-billed sandpipers, gibbons, salmon, grizzly bears, and cougars. Discover how the infringement of humans into these creatures’ habitats has cut them off from vital pathways and put them at risk, then find out how people are helping them by reconnecting wildlands and waterways. Trace the animals’ tracks, understand their challenges, and explore their journeys to find food, water, and the mates they need to survive. With an engaging narrative and bold illustrations, this enlightening book offers an end note providing a brief overview of similar challenges and solutions involving six more international species.
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Begins November 30, 2024
Ends January 2, 2025
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press & MIT Kids Press or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
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