Arithmechicks Add Up: A Math Story

Ten young chicks make their way to the park for a day of fun, incorporating math into every playground activity: counting steps, tilting on a seesaw (“2 chicks light plus 3 chicks heavy equals... 5 chicks bobbing”), and playing together. In nearly every spread, one “lonely mouse” longingly watches as the chicks count from game to game. When the group’s basketball becomes stuck in the net, the stacked chicks—shown in a vertical spread, “stretching, strrrretchiiing”—come up two inches short. And with the aid of the mouse, a formerly lonely plus-one, the chicks free the ball and celebrate the addition of a new friend. Stephens deftly interprets the usefulness of being able to quickly count and add, and Liu’s texturized digital illustrations convey all the fun of the playground alongside simple mathematical concepts. An enjoyable resource for young ones stepping up their counting game. Ages 4–8. [em](Aug.) [/em]