Marvelous Math: A Book of Poems

by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Compiler), Karen Barbour (Illustrator)

This collection of poems by Karla Kuskin, David McCord, and Janet Wong features rhymes about mathematics, numbers, and having fun. Makes an ideal addition to the interdisciplinary classroom.

Marvelous math by Rebecca Kai Dotlich --
from Take a number by Mary O'Neill --
To build a house by Lillian M. Fisher --
Math makes me feel safe by Betsy Franco --
One to ten by Janet S. Wong --
from Who hasn't played gazintas? by David McCord --
Calculator by Rebecca Kai Dotlich --
SOS by Beverly McLoughland --
from Near the window tree by Karla Kuskin --
Fractions by Lee Bennett Hopkins --
Nature knows its math by Joan Bransfield Graham --
Pythagoras by Madeleine Comora --
Hourglass by J. Thomas Sparough --
Time passes by Ilo Orleans --
Sky by Lee Bennett Hopkins --
Counting birds by Felice Holman

Genres: Poetry, Mathematics, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

Lee Bennett Hopkins was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2017. He holds a Guinness Book of Records citation for compiling the most anthologies for children. He has also received the Christopher Award, the Regina Medal, and the National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. He lives in Florida.

For more information, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ben...

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. As someone passionate about the importance of mathematical thinking, I was really hoping to find a compelling yet subtle integration of subjects (English and math) that could be cultivated into an ongoing relationship between such subjects. What I found was a collection of poems focused on mathematical concepts that could be used to incorporate a little poetry into a few math lessons.

I was particularly disappointed in the books inclusion of the poem, “SOS” by Beverly McLoughland. Though obviously intended to be silly in a Shel Silverstein kind of way, I did not appreciate the message that long division is hard. As it is, math teachers have to battle students’ preconceived notions regarding the difficulty of math, and I felt this poem ultimately only worked to support such negative feelings within an otherwise positive and playful collection. By contrast, “Math Makes Me Feel Safe” by Betsy Franco offers an interesting opportunity to discuss with a class the beauty of math – its stability and reliability.

The book’s illustrations are striking and have an ethnic flavor that could support a classroom’s multicultural awareness. Overall, this is a decent book available for young children within the seemingly uncommon crossover realm of math and creative writing.

[Valerie Nyswonger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this picture book is an NCTE award winner. You’ll be sure to love this awesome poetry book. It is a book filled with wonderful poems written in verse. The poems shed a new way of looking at math as well as addressing some feelings that tend to arise when doing math. On the title page, little pictures are surrounding the edges. They are replicates of some of the illustrations that you will see throughout the book. The illustrations, on each page, construct the setting of the poem. They are very abstract, and it is almost like the poem is a tool to decode the illustrations.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I wanted to love this one... the illustrations were wonderful!

The main aspect that bothered me was the title is MARVELOUS Math but it included two poems that portrayed the subject less favorably. I completely understand some people feel that way about the subject but given the title and the purpose it felt out of place and a bit sad.

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry related to math and numbers. We actually enjoyed these all.

[Joey Zadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous Math is a great book of poems about the subject of math! By using poems to go through the many different elements of elementary school math, it provides a fun way to introduce new topics to students in math class! This book can relate to a wide range of ages in the elementary school because the subjects of math that it introduces go from easier things to harder things, so this is why I say that certain poems in this book could be for students as far down as first grade with the poems about adding, but as far up as fourth grade with the poems about fractions. These poems will all be read aloud in the classroom prior to math lessons! Using things like rhyming and repetition are great ways that the book uses to introduce students to new math concepts without scaring them off!

[Leah]

Marvelous Math: a Book of Poems is a fun, colorful book containing poems all on the subject of mathematics. The specific format of the poems varies from poem to poem; some are longer, some only a few lines long. However, all of the poems contain some variation of rhyming words. The content of the poems range from multiplication facts to a short poem about a calculator.
The artwork in this book is very abstract and colorful, which fits the abstract nature of poetry. According to the illustrator’s note, the pictures were done primarily in water colors. The illustrations themselves are intangible representations of the poems. These poems are good resources for the children audience, because it allows them to use their imagination to piece together the illustrations and the poems.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how many different poems about math this book has. My best friend, Gabe, is from Hong Kong and says that they did not count to ten properly in the Cantonese poem. I liked this book. I would select a special poem from this book for some of my math lessons.

Interest Level http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Grades K - 3
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: Not Available
Lexile® Measure: Not Available
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: Not Available
Genre
General Nonfiction
Poetry and Rhymes

[Frank Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poems in this book are fun and very well written. The author was very creative by inserting math and problem solving in the poem. I think the poem about time is very creative and innovative, and I this is a good strategy students can use to remember time. The method of teaching is very direct, and the rhythm and rhyme in the poems is a great way for students to remember the math concepts discussed.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: I loved this book full of math poems! It was also so colorful and the pictures were silly and enhanced the poetry.

Purposes for Enrichment: It shows how our world is full of math and that it can be fun!

Curricular Purposes: There are some poems that could be used to remember certain math rules or formulas. There is a specific poem explaining fractions and has illustrations with slices of pie and cake!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great poetry book. It has many different poems that all relate to math in some way. They cover many different topics including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This would be a great book for teachers to use with students as a different method of learning math concepts.

[Elizabeth Bae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of poems that introduces various math concepts. This would be a great book to read as an introduction for each math unit. The poems are fun and have a beat so students can memorize it to help them remember math concepts.

[Dalene Arizmendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drawings in this book are bright and bold, making it appealing for young readers in K-4 grade. This book contains various poems that are related to math and numbers. The main theme is math. I rated this book four stars because it teaches children to love math while they are reading poetry.

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book with math poems in it. Some were a little to advanced for a children's picture book. The pictures were interesting to look at however. It was a nice exposure to some big math words.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of poems on the topic of math. Beautifully colorful folk art illustrations cover the pages, complementing the poems.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry and math...who would think? But this collection of poetry with bright illustrations range from topics of time, sleeping and counting, fractions and Pythagoras. Who would think?

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were better than the poems. Definitely for lower grades.

[Shelly Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book is a great way to intergrate math and literacy. There are poems that introduces various math concepts.

[Tierra Garr · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a nice introduction book into many concepts of math. It poses math questions that relate to everyday life.

[Sarah Ziskend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for:
1.ELA: poems, creative writing
2. Math: EVERYTHING! Has poems about pathegoreum, algebra, counting, measuring, fractions...

[Melanie Martel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book combines poems and math. The poems cover various math concepts so it could be useful year round in the classroom. I liked the illustrations and think the students would enjoy the book.

[Ashley Greenfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great combination of math and poetry. Good choice for integrating math into the curriculum.

[Kelly Triplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great combination of math and poetry. Good choice for integrating math into the curriculum.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love mathematical poems because some students find math boring. This book is full of poems that offer engaging math poetry about measuring, telling time, adding, subtraction, etc.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book and a great book to use in the classroom. It incorporates poetry and math. Cute topics and poems, kids will love.

[Lindsey Lubker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about math. It is full of math poems.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations but was looking for poems on math concepts. There were only a few, and most poems were just about math in general.

[Kashai Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for any book and it helps you with math

[Robert Kaufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always looking for ways to make math more fun for the young ones.