Zero Is The Leaves On The Tree

by Betsy Franco

A thoughtful approach to teaching the concept of the value of zero is taken in this wonderfully illustrated book for ages 5 to 8. Poetic language combined with fine art paintings make for a stunning package & can be used in both elementary language arts & math classes.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Counting, Childrens, Number, Nonfiction, 1st Grade

25 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2009

About the author

Betsy Franco is an accomplished and versatile author whose body of work spans over 80 published titles, including fiction, young adult novels, picture books, and poetry collections. Known for her creative, collage-like approach to storytelling, Franco has also written a screenplay for each of her novels, with Naked optioned for film and The Art of Love currently in post-production.
Franco has a strong background in film and theater, having served as the screenwriting mentor for Metamorphosis, Junior Year, a film adaptation of her novel and play. The project was a family collaboration involving her sons James and Tom Franco, and it was well received at major festivals including Cinequest and Mill Valley, earning recognition as a top ten film by the San Jose Mercury News.
Her creative partnerships with her sons continue across various mediums: she appeared in James Franco’s film The Broken Tower and on General Hospital, while Tom Franco has illustrated her books and co-produced films with her. She also works closely with her son Dave Franco, who assists with her writing projects and participated in the audiobook of Metamorphosis, Junior Year alongside James.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more poetry than math.

Zero is the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten. 0 sounds.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous and fun way of teaching about the concept of zero, the number zero.

There are short descriptions on every page for “Zero is…” with various things that apply to children’s everyday lives and things in nature with which children are familiar. Children see zero = nothing, none, absent.

The paintings are wonderful, especially those that include the natural world and a cute one at a swimming pool with various children.

The tone ranges from awestruck to funny to just a bit melancholy to straightforward.

I enjoyed it for its art and its cleverness in helping teach about the number zero, but I think that this book is best for young children just beginning to understand the number zero. Older children who count and can use the number zero correctly, are probably not going to have a huge interest in this book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetic meditation on the concept of zero, something defined by the absence of value, rather than by its (quantifiable) presence, Betsy Franco's Zero Is the Leaves on the Trees takes an idea that can be rather complicated (witness the fact that children’s counting books tend to start at 1, not 0), and simplifies it beautifully for younger readers. Essentially a list of things that "zero is" - "the leaves on the bare, brown arms of the oak tree (0 leaves)... the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten (0 sounds)" - Franco’s simple but effective narrative is accompanied by Shino Arihara's lovely gouache illustrations, making this a concept book that is both informative and beautiful.

I don’t know that I’ve ever really considered how the idea of zero might best be presented to young children - and I have no recollection of having learned about the subject in school, although I must have, at some point – but Franco’s book seems like an excellent place to start. Her repetitive narrative reinforces the idea that she is trying to communicate, while the artwork creates a sense of fun and adventure, subtly conveying the impression that mathematical concepts are a natural part of life, and have significance beyond the classroom. All in all, a sweet little book, one that is definitely more than a zero!

[Michelle Turnure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very zen! Shino Arihara's illustrations have beautiful, calming colors and movement. The scenes on every page each tell its own story. I like the rhythm of Betsy Franco's words and storyline.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book (and, more importantly, my 2+-year-old son does, too!). It has lovely illustrations, running through a cycle of seasons using everyday situations in life and nature to explain the concept of zero. It's a quite complicated idea, this symbol for "none" or "null" or "nothing." This book illustrates it beautifully. The math geek in me loves the idea of a picture book about zero the same way the jazz geek in me loves Chris Raschka's "Charlie Parker Played Be Bop." Sophisticated ideas presented in just the way to grab a young child and absorb him in a new understanding.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy that this book includes the number zero and has descriptive language and pictures to show zero. I find it interesting that a book will focus on zero as it is usually overlooked or ignored. I believe this would be a good representation of zero as the language and pictures can relate to the children. They are able to understand the context and how zero fits into the picture.

This book would fit with K-2 as it includes a lot of descriptive language and goes over and abstract number like zero. I would recommend this book because it has a different perspective to the usual number books. As books will normally do 1 and up, it is interesting to see how the number zero is portrayed in children's lives. This book could be easily relatable for the children and give them a concrete idea of what is meant by zero.

This could expand into some science as it goes over the seasons. The book makes use of situations in each of the seasons where there is emptiness or less of. It can be a book to compare the seasons and talk about the experiences the children have had during each season. They can add their own input about what they notice significantly lessens during certain times of the year.

This book can go into counting and how the number zero fits into the normal numbers. This can lead to conversations about what makes zero different and how it can relate to the other numbers. This could also go into conversations of science as it includes the seasons. The children can discuss what they experience during each season and what makes up each season. This can lead to questioning on what is the norm for each season and how the seasons each have their own unique qualities and experiences

I would use this book to go into counting and comparing numbers. I would have them think about the number zero and what makes it different to the rest. It could also be placed in a science lesson on weather and the seasons. The book has good descriptions for each season and what is normally included during each time of the year.

[Hannah Heitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree by Betsy Franco is a book that teaches young students about the concept of zero. Some young students may not be clear as to what zero means and Franco nicely helps students understand the concept clearer. Shiro Arihara’s illustrations in Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree give the young readers visual ideas of concepts of zero and beautiful pictures too look at while reading. A teacher may find this book useful while discussing simple counting numbers and before a counting activity involving single digit numbers. A teacher may also find this book useful for older children who are dissecting poetry writing with the poetic way that this book is written.

[Miss Leinbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic Fiction (Teaching a math concept)
K-2

I have now done this review 3 times. If goodreads loses it again, I am giving up.

Since the concept of zero is a difficult thing for young mathematicians to grasp, this book is a must for any lower-elementary teacher. The text is lyrical and almost poetic, and the illustrations give a concrete representation of "zero."

Plus, on each page there is a label that clearly labels "0 leaves" or "0 ripples" just as there might be labels in other books for "1 fish" or "4 porcupines."

TExt sets: numbers; counting; illustrations

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we count, zero is overlooked as an absence. This beautifully simplistic picture book showcases the ways zero can be all around. We can notice zero ducks in the pond as weather turns to winter or zero bikes in a rack on the last day of school before summer. Pick up this whimsical picture book to see what zero can add to your life. Hint: it’s not nothing!

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!

[Jennilee Angeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the various examples of what "zero" can mean. The story includes many different ways you can see, eat, smell, or think about zero.
The only reason why I thought I should give it four stars is because some areas can be grammatically confusing. For example, "Zero is the sound of snowflakes landing on your mittens".
Overall I think this is a SUPER cute book for children to become familiar with what zero, nothing, and empty can be (and the different ways they can identify it).

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Informational nonfiction
Reading Level: Early Primary (K-1)
This book was a great way to teach kids about the value of zero. One of the things I liked about reading this was that it made me think about how we do not talk about the value of zero. We dod not often thing about things that have a value of zero.

[Liz Thorpe]

Introduces the concept of zero. Some Americanisms but can change this to British English as read aloud. Also some practical experiences might not be within the children's experience, but due to the structure of the books certain pages can be easily skipped or can use to introduce new experience in accordance with professional judgment.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of zero is explained and pictured well. Zero balls in the bin at recess makes sense to the age group of the intended reader. Same with leaves on a tree and many other descriptions, as this book effortlessly moves through the seasons to illustrate the idea of zero. I thought "blossoms in the garden" was a little weak though.

[sincerely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great teaching of the number zero. The last page is weirdly repetitive (the "sound" of zero is used twice with snow and stars) and underwhelming so I took off a star. Also covers seasons. Kids love it.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains the concept of zero by using everyday examples easy for children to understand, such as the number of leaves on a bare tree, or the ripples in a pool right before the first swimmer jumps in. It helped me while I was introducing zero to Elliot recently

* library book. Read at 2 years old

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple book designed to help children understand the concept of zero (0). The illustrations are watercolor and attractive, but don't jump out and grab you. A decent, but not outstanding, choice for a letter Z or a number themed story time.

[L M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely way of thinking about the concept of zero, presenting situations that featured none of something, accompanied by pictures that paint scenes to spark imaginations to ask "if there are zero ____ now, what would 1 ____ look like here?"

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different ways to illustrate zero/see zero in daily life.

[Ashlin Edmisten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy book about zero

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and provides great visuals for a difficult concept.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet, thoughtful book showcasing the number zero. Early math in action!

[Maki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and story about the number zero.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and pretty way to explain the mathematical concept.

[Abby Nall]

A great little picture book for introducing or reinforcing the mathematical concept of zero.

[Gabrielle Goodstein]

Where is the math: A charming book that explores the concept of zero by artfully describing scenes notable for what is not there. “Zero is…the ripples in the pool before the first swimmer jumps in. 0 ripples.” Ages 5 and up.
Genre: picture book
Theme/Keywords: Number sense, concept of zero
Features of print: The book features charming illustrations and examples that border on being poetic.
Language considerations: English text.
Cultural considerations: Multi-cultural characters depicted.
Open Ended Question to invite mathematical thinking: Can we think of other examples of zero from our everyday activities (i.e. I ate my lunch and now I have zero food left)? How many times in a day do we notice the number zero?
Extension Activity
Activity 4.4 fromVan de Walle p. 100:
Post zero fact in different configurations (with zero first and second). Talk about hoe the facts are similar. Students can use counters and a part-part-whole mat.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you define zero? How do you draw a picture of nothing? The author and the illustrator make a valiant attempt in this picture book for ages 5-8. The problem lies in portraying negative space. Zero is the sleds on the hillside when the snow melts. How do you draw them if they are not there? Zero is the kites in the sky when there's no wind. How do you draw no kites? Sometimes the attempt is too strained and even confusing, as in, "Zero is the bikes in the bike rack on the last day of school." I thought, if it is the last day, then the kids would attend school on the last day, and there would be bikes. But this was supposed to represent zero. Does that mean no one came on the last day? I know, I know, I am overthinking it. I am sure this book will be great for pre-readers, who have someone reading to them. Then the reader can explain each concept and make it clearer.

[Rachel Boatright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zero is the Leaves on the Tree is a book with many, many examples of zero using illustrations to show children what zero looks like. At first they use an egg to describe how a zero looks like when it is written. On the following pages they use zero to show the amount of emptiness in something such as a trash can. Also, zero is used in the book to describe that something that you are looking for in which none of it is there. To demonstrate that zero has no sound they use snowflakes landing on mittens. I like how the author uses many ways to demonstrate what zero is and in some ways zero is more than we think it can be. The illustrations have a nice painted brush background on all the pages as well as little kids throughout the whole book. A good lesson for this book is to get kids together in groups and describe examples of zero that are used in their lives.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author uses metaphors from children’s lives to explain the concept of zero. I could see this book being used a lot with students to better understand zero or as a writing prompt.

A little from the book:

“Zero is…
the balls in the bin at recess time.”
Reactions from children:
Two unexpected problems with the book: We live in the southern part of the United States and many of the metaphors involved concepts our children never experience (the sound of snowfall, for example). The younger children liked it, but the older children said they got tired of zero.

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

While basically just a book about the concept of zero, Franco's evocative, poetic word/concept choices and Arihara's gorgeous paintings make this one of my favorite books of the year. The book follows the seasons, beginning with fall, with vignettes both in the classroom at out in the world. The title is one example of zero, referring to the leaves left on the tree in fall: zero. Another, "Zero is...the bikes in the bike rack on the last day of school."

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting from a number of perspectives. First it addresses the number zero...colorfully illustrated throughout the year and the book. It does a nice job of introducing the seasons and the world around us. Finally, it is an interesting example of writing that focuses on one concept and could be used to teach writing to students who are older than the targeted picture book audience.