How Many Feet? How Many Tails? A Book of Math Riddles

Hello Reader! Math Level 2

by Marilyn Burns, Lynn Adams

As two children take a walk with their grandfather, they use their counting skills to help answer a series of animal riddles

Genres: Mathematics, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Marilyn Meinhardt Burns is a mathematics educator and the author of over a dozen children's books on mathematics.

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book that offers a few simple math problems for children to solve. The problems are not very difficult and we all read the book rather quickly.

But I like the fact that the book challenges children to think about how many feet and/or tails in a group of people and/or animals. I also liked the question at the end of the book that does not have a set answer; it generated a good discussion for us, since we came up with numerous possibilities.

The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and the book offers suggestions and resources for parents and teachers. We all read this book independently and thought it was fun, if a bit easy.

[Shunta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good little brain tickler for kids. It can engage them and also get them thinking... I bet it would be hilarious to hear some of the things they come up with before turning the page. I could use it to teach math, addition and multiplication, doubles, and counting.

[Codie Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of math riddles that children will love to figure out! The last few pages even have a few extra activities.

[Caitlin McMorrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book with different math riddles using animals and tails. The story keeps you guessing with different combinations of tails and legs.

I would use this book with K-2. I think it would be a fun filler to start a math lesson. Additionally, in the back of the book there are many questions that go along with the book. I think this book is a fun way to mix up a math lesson as well as incorporating another subject.