Really Big Numbers

by Richard Evan Schwartz

In the American Mathematical Society's first-ever book for kids (and kids at heart), mathematician and author Richard Evan Schwartz leads math lovers of all ages on an innovative and strikingly illustrated journey through the infinite number system. By means of engaging, imaginative visuals and endearing narration, Schwartz manages the monumental task of presenting the complex concept of Big Numbers in fresh and relatable ways. The book begins with small, easily observable numbers before building up to truly gigantic ones, like a nonillion, a tredecillion, a googol, and even ones too huge for names!Any person, regardless of age, can benefit from reading this book. Readers will find themselves returning to its pages for a very long time, perpetually learning from and growing with the narrative as their knowledge deepens. Really Big Numbers is a wonderful enrichment for any math education program and is enthusiastically recommended to every teacher, parent and grandparent, student, child, or other individual interested in exploring the vast universe of numbers.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Childrens, Picture Books, Nonfiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2014

About the author

Richard Schwartz grew up in Los Angeles. He wore only blue clothes between the ages of 7 and 11. He spent his youth obsessively playing tennis until video games distracted him. He majored in math at UCLA, got a PhD in math from Princeton, and is currently the Chancellor's Professor of Mathematics at Brown University. His research interests lie in geometry and dynamics. He likes to do mathematical experiments on the computer and then find proofs for the results he discovers.

Rich was an Invited Speaker at the 2002 International Congress of Mathematicians, a Guggenheim Fellow in 2003, a Clay Research Scholar in 2009, and Simons Fellow in 2012. He is the author of a number of books, including Spherical CR Geometry and Dehn Surgery, Outer Billiards on Kites, You Can Count on Monsters, Man Versus Dog, Unnecessary Surgery, and The Extra Toaster. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Barrington, Rhode Island. In his spare time, he listens to music, writes comic books, cycles on the bike path near his house, walks on the beach, or spends time with his family.

Reviews

[Rand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent idea, questionable execution.

The illustrations are okay but the author would have done well to hire a professional illustrator to depict the people. And having a consult with someone involved in early childhood pedagogy would have been a good idea. Though on the plus-side, it is way cool that the American Mathematical Society is attempting to teach real/abstract/collegiate math to children, beyond the "Common Core".

So in order to present an accurate review for you, I attempted to read Schwartz's book to my 7 year old niece (who is very much interested in numbers and infinity and so on and so forth) and she was bored before the first page ended. My 6.5 year old niece (who is arguably more interested in numbers, and was counting pretty much as soon as she could talk) took right to this book when I showed her the page about googol—she has not yet finished the book, but I know that she will, eventually. Maybe if I had started the 7 year old at the middle she might've been more keen, but I didn't get that chance.

I found the book to be a bit too hokey in its opening—the narrator states out-right somewhere near the beginning that this is a book meant to be read slowly, over the course of a lifetime. Which is true for any media whatsoever; stating that the book may be consumed in increments is an odd way to start and doesn't exactly do much to inspire the reader to continue turning pages. Maybe if the unnamed-narrator had offered the reader the option of skipping the boring intro (my 7 year old niece was actually insulted by the book's insistence at counting from one to ten, lol) then maybe it would have been something beyond TL;DR— But I digress. There are some good parts to this book, yes. It just would have done well to have been more carefully edited, preferably by an editor who is familiar with the ins and outs of educational children's literature and more importantly who is unafraid of hurting the author's pride.

You can view the book trailer here and judge for yourself as to the quality of the art and content. It should go without saying though, that the trailer does not begin where the book begins . . .

While the author is clearly very intelligent and learned and nice, he may not be the best person to instruct your child in really big numbers.

Review copy won through the First Reads program.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mathematician walks with students through numbers in the number system. He starts with small numbers, and progressively begins to talk about "really big numbers." By approaching big numbers this way, the author, or mathematician helps students grasp the abstract concept of big numbers, and does so in a fun, colorful manner.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my husband, who is always wondering how many MacDonald's Big Macs it would take to fill the school gym, or how far all the blades of grass on the soccer field would reach laid end to end. And for any other kids with his bent.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

adult with child or upper elementary

Pretty cool book - lots of concepts about numbers in an organic way. Like the book suggests, you can dip into it or read it cover to cover. Some things you may understand now and others later. Written by a mathematician.

[Shayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and fun on the surface, but very quickly mind-bending.

[Tamlynem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super popular at my house.

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

My boys (7 and 10) and I liked learning the names of really big numbers and some of the ways the author suggested we envision really big numbers.

We did not like the art - math and art are so intertwined, there was such possibility for truly beautiful mathematical art - but instead we got weird, simplistic computer drawings. It got to the point where the art was distracting.

Additionally, if you're going to ask a non-hypothetical question in a book, it's good to provide the answer, at least in a footnote or endnote in the book. It was frustrating to have questions posed in the book that we (two kids and a history major) could not figure out and no reference to how to figure them out or what the answer is.

Okay - just saw another review that says the answers are on his website. Sorry, we read snuggled in bed. I want the info in the book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway at goodreads.com...thanks
This is quite simply a fabulous book!!! The illustrations are bold, colorful, and beautiful. The narration is engaging and exciting, encouraging a love of math. I read this and thoroughly enjoyed it and now I'm looking forward to reading it with my grandchildren who are 4 and 7. I do believe that any age would enjoy a trip thru this delightful and educational book. It is a brilliant book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy I received this via Goodreads First Reads. My 7&9yr old boys are fascinated by really big numbers. They made it up to googol, which has a great graphic explanation, & then they said their brains were going to explode. I've no doubt someday they'll enjoy the abstract remainder of this book as much as I.

[Seanna Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy through good reads.

Wow! This book is awesome. A great way to explain large numbers to kids. Great info and illustrations. My three year old enjoyed it but it would work for older kids too. This one is a keeper!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As promised, the author starts with simple concepts that become complicated quickly. Finding math-related books to share is not always easy, but this is one that I will definitely pass along to students.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick. It is a shame that the answers to his questions are only on a website.