Albert's Bigger Than Big Idea (Mouse Math) by Eleanor May

Mouse Math®

by Eleanor May

Albert, Wanda, and Cousin Pete are sneaking into the People Kitchen for food. Albert is the smallest mouse, so he gets the smallest bag . . . and the smallest piece of fruit. But Albert dreams of bagging the biggest piece of fruit in the whole kitchen . . . if only he can avoid the cat! (Math Comparing Big and Small)

Genres: Mathematics, Childrens

Mass Market Paperback

First published December 28, 2012

Reviews

[Danielle Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

May, Eleanor. Albert’s Bigger than Big Idea. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing, 2013.

Albert’s bigger than big idea successfully supports young reader’s understanding of sizes; throughout the book the concept of big, bigger, and biggest and small, smaller, and smallest is incorporated. Albert, Wanda, and Pete are trying to fulfill their desires for the biggest fruit, realizing they’ll need even bigger bags to hold them—most importantly they need to avoid the cat lurking around the kitchen who is bigger than all the mice! Not only are the images bright and animated, but they are vital to overall comprehension in this particular piece; readers will truly understand sizes by seeing why the biggest fruit will not fit in the smallest bag. When key math concepts terms are incorporated, they are bolded making them easily identifiable to readers. Such understanding is furthered by including the terms with the corresponding items at the bottom of each page—the largest fruit sitting on top of the word “biggest.” The inclusion of common cultural images, such as Cheesyland—clearly the mouse friendly version of Candyland, makes the book more relatable for young readers as well. Part of the “Mouse Math” series, each book teaches a different basic math concept in an approachable, fun way for young students. Upon concluding the novel, the “look back” page poses follow up questions that encourage readers to return to the text and look for answers—encouraging text based evidence at beginning reading stages. Navigating through Albert and Wanda’s adventures proves not only engaging, but educational as well. A great addition to libraries and math classrooms alike.
Target Audience: Ages 3-6

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Albert, Wanda, and cousin Pete are raiding the fruit bowl in the people’s kitchen. On the first trip Albert sees a plum he wants to take but his bag is only big enough for a blueberry. How can he bring home the plum next time?

This mouse kitchen raid adventures uses a lot of big, bigger, biggest type language (and those words are highlighted in bold). The book is advertised as a math book, but one could argue it is also a language arts book teaching superlatives. Albert also demonstrates some ingenuity and problem solving skills throughout the story. The story is engaging enough that kids could pick this up to read for fun too.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book that explores the concept of sizes and comparison. Some mice are having fun comparing fruit and other items that will fit or not fit into their bags. I loved the twist at the end. The illustrations are colorful and kids will enjoy this story. Highly recommended for sharing with a young classroom Grades K-1.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about Albert's desires for ever bigger fruit, but in order to carry them he needs bigger and bigger bags to carry them in, until he ends up with a bag big enough for a watermelon, but ends up using the bag for something else entirely. And he learns that sometimes are ideas are bigger than are ability to carry them out. The concepts of bigger and smaller a nicely addressed with a guide at the end of the book that suggests ways to emphasize these concepts.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was laugh out loud funny. While it was a little long I'd really like to try it with toddlers anyway. Albert and his family are headed to the fruit bowl with bags but albert's bag is too small for the fruit he wants. What will he do?

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story teaches the concept of size comparison.