Backgammon for Kids

by Lizann Flatt

In the best-selling tradition of Chess for Kids comes Backgammon for Kids , the game that challenges both the creative and logical sides of the brain. Ideal for youngsters on the go (a game lasts less than 10 minutes), Backgammon for Kids comes complete with a full set of plastic pieces, one doubling die, two pairs of dice, two shakers, carrying case, and a book of backgammon rules, strategies, trivia, and history--everything you need to play--all packaged in a custom-designed portfolio board with a magnetic closure so kids can take it anywhere!

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 1999

About the author

Lizann Flatt has written many nonfiction books and numerous short stories and poems for kids. Her latest picture book series includes COUNTING ON FALL, SORTING THROUGH SPRING, SIZING UP WINTER, SHAPING UP SUMMER. What if animals knew math? The series invites kids to practice primary math skills and learn a bit about nature. Her LET'S GO! THE STORY OF GETTING FROM THERE TO HERE is the history of transportation in North America. It was selected as the Canadian Children's Book Centre's TD Grade One Giveaway book in 2009 and given to over 400,000 grade one kids in Canada. Lizann's work has also appeared in LADYBUG, BABYBUG, and HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN magazines. She was formerly the editor of Canadian children’s magazine CHICKADEE. Today she lives in rural Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a very good backgammon book. I bought it for my 9-year-old son, who's interested in the game, but I thought the longer/more detailed books by folks like Robertie and Magriel would be too much. Unfortunately, this is far too childish.

It insists on an odd English construction that a pair of dice is called "a dice," and the plural of die is "dies." Plus, it puts the numbers backwards on the board, calling the point furthest from bearing off my "1" rather than my "24" as all the adult literature and tournaments do. I don't fully agree with some of the suggestions for what to do with opening rolls, either.

Aside from that, the instructions on how to play are all correct, but my son has been able to learn those rules and procedures from me. I just don't want my son to get into backgammon with such a skewed interpretation, especially with the way points are numbered. He'd have to completely re-orient his brain if he ever decided to read another backgammon book.