Zero the Hero

by Joan Holub, Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. That's what all the other numbers think of Zero. He doesn't add anything in addition. He's of no use in division. And don't even ask what he does in multiplication. ( Poof! ) But Zero knows he's worth a lot, and when the other numbers get into trouble, he swoops in to prove that his talents are innumerable.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Childrens, Humor, Number, Counting, Superheroes

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

NY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the subtitle of this book: A Book about Nothing. And that's exactly the focus of this book about Zero, the place holder. But wait! Zero is so much more than a place holder, and this book tells why. Although Zero considers himself important, the other numbers taunt him because he is not useful when counting, and he has a self-identity crisis, often being mistaken for other round objects and being useless when it comes to addition, subtraction, and division. After the other numbers recognize that multiplying by Zero makes them equal to nothing, they run away, and in shame, so does Zero. Once the numbers realize that they need Zero and are captured by Roman numerals, Zero races to save them. As in the earlier E-Mergency!, the book contains delightful word play and ink, pastel, and colored pencil illustrations that allow the numbers's personalities to shine through. What a clever and amusing way to learn about math concepts!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book about numbers, specifically the importance of zero in our number system. The concept of adding, subtracting, multiplying and the impossibility of dividing by zero are all discussed in a dialogue-heavy format. With many word balloons all over the page, the book is a bit distracting to read aloud, but we still enjoyed reading it together.

I like that it reinforced the properties and importance of this number, substantially making our arabic numerals different from the Roman numerals. The interaction between the two systems was comical. This book has the charm of a comic book, but is educational, too.

[Joella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you read Emergency yet? It is this brilliant book about the alphabet letters and what happens when the letter “E” gets injured. Well, if you haven’t read that…consider it added to your to-read list. Seriously. It is hilarious! Anyway, this particular book is that level of comedy but with numbers. Oh yeah, numbers are just as important as letters.

So all the various numbers are gathered around and are talking about this or that. And Zero says, “From now on, call me Zero the Hero!” because he wants to be a super-number…or hero rather. All the other numbers laugh or disregard him and go on to prove just how “worth-less” zero is. Of course when Zero is told over and over again how insignificant he is, there is nothing to do but disappear. Then along comes (dun dun dah!) the evil Roman Numerals. They are taking all numbers captive and forcing them to become Gladiators in their giant gladiator (clock) ring. Who will save them? Who can conquer the evil Roman Numerals? Zero the Hero! With his amazing ability to do times tables he is able to save all numbers everywhere! (Huzzah!) Where would we be without this magnificent number? And where would we be without this superb book? Seriously, why haven’t you checked the book out of the library already? 5 stars (but don’t tell Zero, he doesn’t understand why zero stars is the epitome of perfection).

[Teresa Moreland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zero the Hero is a book about zero. Zero feels useless, and is not appreciated by the other numbers. He runs away, leaving the other numbers unable to defend themselves against the Roman numeral soldiers. Zero must return to save his friends by showing the Roman numerals that anything times zero is zero, and that he could defeat them if he wanted to.

I think this would be a good book to read before a math lesson. There are many math terms and fun play on words. This could be read before any lesson in addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication. The book is a little cluttered, and holds a lot of math rules, so it would be good to focus a discussion around one rule at a time. If the students liked the book, this could be one that is re-read before a few lessons throughout the year.

[Maddypictures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous math book - not quite about counting. Loved the little decorations adding funny details on nearly all the pages - for example, the tiny cop explaining that 0 does not equal donuts. Each number is imbued with his or her own personality which stays consistent through the book - 1 is a pickle-green winner, 2 is a frou-frou girly-girl, 7 is a surfer, 5 is a pocket-protector, bow-tie wearing nerd. The roman numerals who attack are shown as fierce, toga-wearing barbarians, and I liked the moment when 8 says to VIII, "So, it takes four of you to do my job?"
A welcome addition in any STEM classroom!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this predictable but still fun book about the number Zero. Zero, who fancies himself a hero and wears an awesome cape, ends up feeling useless after all the other numbers brag about themselves. He leaves his friends, who end up in a battle with Roman numerals. (The Roman numerals wear togas, yay!) Zero returns to help save the day and prove his worth.

Packed with math jokes, this is a book that will appeal to younger and older listeners. Recommended for grades 1 - 4. The third graders at my school do 'Wanted' number posters as a math project in the second quarter. I know their teacher will get a kick out of this book!

[Quasar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, any kid with a sense of humor will like this book. Some of the jokes make it more accessible to middle grades, but it would be a good story even for a kid who just needs to get a good sense of numbers and the way math works. 1st through 7th graders and maybe even older would enjoy it, so long as the older kids could get over the "picture book" thing.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever story, but the puns and wry humor are a bit lost on a K-1st audience, which is who I read it to! It would be a winner with 8-12 year-olds, though! Also, this book is better to read to yourself than as a read-aloud, because there are lots of random little speech bubbles all over each page in addition to the story.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The numbers take the stage in this fun book (with illustrator Tom Lichtenheld!). I enjoyed the humor in the illustrations. And I loved the twist with the Roman numerals! So happy to have my own copy now, autographed by the illustrator--who is totally awesome (and posed with Bob the Turtle!).

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love it as much as E-Mergency, but there's no denying the importance of zero now. He took out those evil Roman numerals and saved the day for big numbers!!

[Stray]

As a former math teacher, I think this just looks perfect for my son! I can't wait to read it with him!

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about zero and its role in mathematics. Playful puns and math concepts woven throughout the book.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny graphic novel about the importance of numbers for younger readers.

[Maxwell Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the the dog hidden in the book on page xxviii

[Alena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Holub successfully captures the young readers attention and also subtlety teaches the reader math skills along the way in this heroic tale of the underestimated number Zero. The story follows the number Zero and his problem; being under appreciated and undervalued but his fellow numbers. Joan Holub uses basic mathematical facts throughout the book to show how Zero is easily forgotten about; in topics like addiction, subtraction, and division. However, the story takes a turn for the better when Zero has the chance to be the hero and save his fellow numbers from a foe! Through basic multiplication facts, Joan Holub shows the reader why Zero is important and should not be taken for granted. The light-hearted story has beautiful illustrations that help the bring the story to life!

In this book, one thing that caught my attention was the fact that Joan Holub included anthropomorphized numbers. Instead of the typical animal being used, numbers are being used instead and taking on human-like characteristics in a numerical world. This is a unique spin on anthropomorphism that will catch the readers eye and entice them to discover the world of numbers just waiting for them. Another thing that I noticed from the book was the theme of Identity. Even though this book is geared towards math and number sense, the book also addresses Zero trying to discover himself and his responsibilities as a number. He has to "grow" into himself and accept himself. Joan Holub even goes the extra mile to further develop the secondary characters and briefly show the other numbers describing their own issues within their own identity. This book has many levels of understanding and many activities can be done using this book across different subjects.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because this book could be used during a math lesson and the children would be extremely motivated to pay attention. I enjoyed how Joan Holub created a sense of unity within the family of numbers by the end of the story. The author also has bits of light humor sprinkled through the book which help bring it all together. This is a well written story that I would love to have in my classroom someday!

http://www.joanholub.com

http://inspiredbykindergarten.blogspo...

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/a...

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Zero the Hero” would have to be one of my favorite kid’s math books. It begins with zero, who is always left out when counting, and with in lower-level math concepts. Just like in “Chicka Chicka 123” Zero feels left out and wants to be important and matter, but in math, anything against zero is only more equal to zero or the number itself. Similar to “Chicka Chicka 123”, this children's math book has a bigger story to tell than just math, where the book incorporates math to tell the story of zero. As well as how nothing would be the same without the number 0. In my opinion, “Zero the Hero” is a better overall conceptual mathematic book than most due to the fact that this picturebook has a broader range of concepts involved, such as adding, subtracting, division, multiplication, and Roman numerals. Considering how many complex math concepts it covers, I believe both “Zero the Hero” and “Chicka Chicka 123” can be used. Chicka should be saved for younger children, maybe in pre-kindergarten up to kindergarten, to help build the base of what numbers are, and "Zero the Hero" would shine better for 1st through 3rd grade. As said before, it has more complex concepts.

[Wisterious Woman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been vaccinated so we don't visit with my granddaughter inside her house. Instead, I read to her over FaceTime. I turn the camera around and hold the book at arms length on the table so I can peer over the top of my iPad and read the story. She gets to see the pictures at the same time. This book is a bit on the large side for that but my 4 year old granddaughter loves the book. It was in a children's surprise grab bag at the library pick up table. I would never imagine a little kid could catch on to learning about numbers but this book is so entertaining. And she liked the jokes. She would say, 'that's a joke'. And the book has some old fashion expression so I was able to teach her about what the various words meant. I am sure when the next 'iPad FaceTime' afternoon story time comes around this is the book she will ask for again and again! She will be more than ready for Kindergarten when she goes in 2 years.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about the importance of ZERO. If you are a kid who likes numbers, you will enjoy the story of Zero the Hero. His number friends have no respect for him and think he is useless and boring, BUT one day they realize that their number multiplied by 0 equals ZERO. They have been eliminated. In panic they run from him. In sorrow, Zero decides to go away - "to infinity or oblivion" whichever comes first. At first, his number friends don't even notice he is gone, but soon they realize that they can't add up or round off. When his friends are captured by Roman numerals, Zero hears their cries for help and "faster than a speeding donut" speeds to the rescue. When Zero demonstrates his amazing power of multiplication, the Roman numerals skedaddle... and the numbers celebrate Zero for the hero he has always been.

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about the effect of 0 in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Zero feels like a hero inside, but none of the other digits recognize his power. They taunt him for his uselessness until he rolls away. Once he's gone the numbers realize how helpful he realize is, but it's not until they are captured by Roman Numerals that Zero really saves the day! This book is sure to help kids remember 0's properties in basic calculatioms.

Filled with many clever little number puns and jokes, this book probably works better as an individual read that a group read-aloud. I thought it would get into Zero's role in place value, but it really doesn't touch that topic. Maybe it's time for a sequal! :-)

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't as good about place value as it could be, especially given that the decimal system/decimal arithmetic is more or less its argument for the importance of zero.

It does do a lot of arithmetic with zero, though, and makes those patterns/rules very clear.

The Roman numerals say something about only being for counting, not for arithmetic, which is kind of true and kind of not. There's definitely an implication that arithmetic is easier in Hindu-Arabic numerals than in Roman numerals, which is somewhat of a myth.

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a cute book to teach students about the importance of zero. Poor zero.... He adds absolutely nothing. He feels so unappreciated until its time for place value. My middle school students enjoyed the humor in this book. They understood the jokes, and it really made them think about the number zero. It does not add anything in an additional problem, but it is a necessity for place value. It can make a number change from tens, to hundreds, to thousands, to millions. It can also decrease a number from one- tenth, to one- hundredth, to one- thousandth, to one- millionth. This book was a great refresher for my seventh grade students on place value and number sense! It brought humor to the classroom, and it created a fun way to remember the importance of zero the hero.

[Hannah Sale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading Zero the Hero! This book is a great introduction to why zero is an important number, and what happens when we add zero to our numbers or equations. I would use this book in 1st grade and at the beginning of second grade to teach them what happens to numbers when zero is added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided. I could base my mini-lessons and rotations during my math block on this book, and use it to introduce the concept to my students. I love how much dialogue there is and how much detail there is in the images. Students would love this read! This book also personifies the numbers and makes the zero a superhero which is something most students are familiar with, which makes it more engaging! If I teach younger grades, this book will definitely be in my library.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun one, teaching kids math like counting, division, addition, multiplication, and the power of zero - without being all preachy and FUNDUCATION!!-y. Loved the appearance of toga-clad Roman Numerals, and the little cartoony asides with jokes were overall funny (some were irrelevant and took away from the story, in my opinion, but not too bad). It lends itself to lots of re-reads and a lot of fun exploring the world of numbers. Three cheers!

[Kilei Motz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great book for teaching students what zero can do in math, and why we need it! The book takes you through multiple diffrent types of equations, showing you what zero does. Not only does it do this but it has pictures of the other numbers with a corresponding number of items near them! Not only all of that but the book is almost formatted as a comic, and has super fun pictures! This book is a great addition to any classroom!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so colorful in the illustration. We used this book to introduce numbers to the kids. I love the story-line in this book. It's such a whimsical book that you can find about numbers. Cassie loved how silly the book was. The thing to know it's a hard book to read aloud as it is most in speech bubbles of the characters. So it's a lot of bouncing around all over the place. There is videos of others reading it online though so that might be an option. I recommend checking out this book.

[Carly MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zero the hero is a kindergarten surprise for every 10 day of school. This is a good book; however, some of the math information in it is beyond the elementary level, let alone kindergarten! So the kids were not that interested in this book. It would have been a great book if they would have lowered it down to kindergarten level.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zero added up to nothing. The other numbers felt more important and didn't see why zero was even needed - until a situation arose and he had to help them. This is a wonderful way to show children the value of numbers and how zero makes it all work. Roman numerals make an appearance too. Great illustrations and play-on-words.

[Emily Sammartino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zero is seen as nothing to the other numbers but as the book goes on, they realize they all would be lost without zero. The author does a great job of presenting math concepts in a fun and interactive way for students. He characterizes all of the numbers and helps the reader understand what zero is, what it does, and why it is important in math, A very fun and useful book for math lessons.

[Bailey Monteith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story that personifies the numbers and teaches readers about the importance of Zero. This story would be great for older kiddos like 3rd grades as it goes over addition, subtraction, division and multiplication involving the number zero. The other numbers make fun of Zero for being nothing until they realize just how important he is.

[Sarah Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book allows children to see numbers in amore lifelike form, with a fun story. The characters may allow children to build a connection with the appearance of numbers, thus engraving them in their memory to a greater understanding and growth number recognition.