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Mathimals
Do you find it hard to add? Brace yourself for a slightly unusual and mildly chaotic lesson in basic addition! What happens when you add 1 mouse + 1 sheep, for example? Or 4 caterpillars + 4 fish? You'll find out in this hugely entertaining picture book filled with weird and wonderful creatures. Packed with brightly coloured illustrations, clever wordplay and lots of fun details, this rhyming story is sure to capture the imaginations of young children and is designed to help simple sums stick in the mind. Perfect for ages 2-6 but with plenty for older children and even adults to enjoy.
- GenresPicture Books
24 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2018
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Jon Hales
7 books1 followerJon Hales is a British author, English literature graduate and former English teacher who learned first-hand the power of a great picture book while teaching in Taiwan, reading stories to his younger students. The capacity for a well crafted turn of phrase, captivating character or hilarious illustration to capture the imagination of its audience was fascinating to him. Jon dreamed of crafting stories that would bring joy to both children and adults, stories that could be read again and again without losing their charm. Jon lives in London with his wife Annie. He would like to stress that no animals were harmed in the production of his debut picturebook, Mathimals.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 20, 2018
My kids and I are always on the hunt for new books to read, there’s only so many times I can read Brown Bear, Brown Bear before I go cross eyed after all, and when I can find a book that’s fun, engaging AND educational I’m thrilled! Mathimals was a clever and fun little book that my youngest child, Jackson (3) actually paid attention to. This is a big deal as he has autism and struggles to stick with any activity for more than a couple of minutes but he honestly seemed to enjoy this one and I know we’ll be reading it again.
So the concept of this is simple addition but with a unique spin, it adds animals together to form new creations in an adorable and fun way. It’s set in a catchy rhyme and I found myself reading it in a sing song way that heightened the enjoyment. The illustrations are so cute, colorful, striking and bold with plenty for little eyes to soak in. Highly recommended by me and will definitely appeal to the younger crowd!
So the concept of this is simple addition but with a unique spin, it adds animals together to form new creations in an adorable and fun way. It’s set in a catchy rhyme and I found myself reading it in a sing song way that heightened the enjoyment. The illustrations are so cute, colorful, striking and bold with plenty for little eyes to soak in. Highly recommended by me and will definitely appeal to the younger crowd!
February 22, 2018
A picture book of invented animals to stimulate addition for young children.
It comes as absolutely no surprise to me to discover that the author is a former English teacher because, although Mathimals is a maths book, there is so much that can be used to teach English and stimulate vocabulary and the joy of reading for young children. The way in which new compound words are invented as adding one animal to another leads to a brand new breed is lovely. I may be over 5 decades older than the intended audience but I really enjoyed the imaginative approach here. The language is simple, but has excellent rhymes and a really good rhythm so that literacy as well as numeracy is promoted.
The numeracy of Mathimals is really well done. Multiples of two and the effect of doubling are so well integrated into the excitement of creating new creatures that learning can happen without a child even realising. Towards the end of the book there’s a smashing exercise for children to count up to 30 as they search for creatures in the trees so that early numeracy can be extended beyond just number 10.
I must also say something about the illustrations from Charlene Mosley. They are quirky, vibrant and interesting, with so many unusual things to spot that they add to the enjoyment and stimulus of Mathimals wonderfully. They also have a naivety that will appeal to children and encourage them to invent their own creatures, leading to art work and even better numeracy and literacy.
I think Mathimals is a cracking book for children and recommend it completely.
It comes as absolutely no surprise to me to discover that the author is a former English teacher because, although Mathimals is a maths book, there is so much that can be used to teach English and stimulate vocabulary and the joy of reading for young children. The way in which new compound words are invented as adding one animal to another leads to a brand new breed is lovely. I may be over 5 decades older than the intended audience but I really enjoyed the imaginative approach here. The language is simple, but has excellent rhymes and a really good rhythm so that literacy as well as numeracy is promoted.
The numeracy of Mathimals is really well done. Multiples of two and the effect of doubling are so well integrated into the excitement of creating new creatures that learning can happen without a child even realising. Towards the end of the book there’s a smashing exercise for children to count up to 30 as they search for creatures in the trees so that early numeracy can be extended beyond just number 10.
I must also say something about the illustrations from Charlene Mosley. They are quirky, vibrant and interesting, with so many unusual things to spot that they add to the enjoyment and stimulus of Mathimals wonderfully. They also have a naivety that will appeal to children and encourage them to invent their own creatures, leading to art work and even better numeracy and literacy.
I think Mathimals is a cracking book for children and recommend it completely.
March 26, 2018
A wonderfully funny and imaginative picture book, with an educational twist! My 2 year old daughter loves the brilliant illustrations (and her eager eyes love spotting the hidden extras throughout the book!), the hilarious Mathimal names and catchy rhyming text, which is great to read aloud. It captures the imagination beautifully! She’s recently started counting how many there are of something, rather than just saying numbers, and I really think this book has contributed to her understanding of this.
A firm favourite in this house and plenty to keep both parent and child engaged from beginning to end! A real winner!
A firm favourite in this house and plenty to keep both parent and child engaged from beginning to end! A real winner!
July 31, 2018
With a touch of zany fun, this book dives into math in a way which demands giggles from every page.
This picture book has two goals: math and silly fun. The lesson is basic addition, but this isn't a math book as one might expect. It's a picture book with bright illustrations and a rhyming story which is pure fun even if the math is ignored. Clever wording and ridiculous situations make this a fun book all on its own. The math flows along on the side.
The combination is just right. Young listeners will pick up on the basic math ideas without even realizing it or needing to notice it. Older ones will catch what's going on, but can enjoy the tale as well. It's short, funny and educational too.
I received a complimentary copy and was so taken by the concept that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
This picture book has two goals: math and silly fun. The lesson is basic addition, but this isn't a math book as one might expect. It's a picture book with bright illustrations and a rhyming story which is pure fun even if the math is ignored. Clever wording and ridiculous situations make this a fun book all on its own. The math flows along on the side.
The combination is just right. Young listeners will pick up on the basic math ideas without even realizing it or needing to notice it. Older ones will catch what's going on, but can enjoy the tale as well. It's short, funny and educational too.
I received a complimentary copy and was so taken by the concept that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
April 10, 2018
*I received a complimentary PDF version of the book in exchange for my honest review.*
Mathimals is a fast-paced, inventive concept book that introduces early math concepts (counting, basic addition, combination/mixing) in a fantastical, fun way. The book plays with language well in the creation of the animal hybrids ('meep' (mouse plus sheep), 'cabbits' (cats plus rabbits) . . . which would go over well, especially with the pre-school crowd. The illustrations are richly colored and well-texturized in such a way that draws the eye easily.
Mathimals is a fast-paced, inventive concept book that introduces early math concepts (counting, basic addition, combination/mixing) in a fantastical, fun way. The book plays with language well in the creation of the animal hybrids ('meep' (mouse plus sheep), 'cabbits' (cats plus rabbits) . . . which would go over well, especially with the pre-school crowd. The illustrations are richly colored and well-texturized in such a way that draws the eye easily.
February 19, 2018
Immediately attractive and amusing. Clever writing. Hope the author writes more books in the same. vein.
March 13, 2018
Math has never been this much fun.
Really awesome idea for a kid's picture book and beautifully illustrated.
Really awesome idea for a kid's picture book and beautifully illustrated.
April 26, 2018
Cute and funny book for teaching early math to young learners.
January 30, 2019
An entertaining and imaginative way to make addition, and reading, fun!
It’s a simple read, with some challenging words – like the invented creatures.
The vibrant illustrations add to the enjoyment and are sure to spark the imagination.
I’m a good deal older than the book is targeted at, but I enjoyed the unusual animal combinations. My favourites were the Octopogs!
It’s a simple read, with some challenging words – like the invented creatures.
The vibrant illustrations add to the enjoyment and are sure to spark the imagination.
I’m a good deal older than the book is targeted at, but I enjoyed the unusual animal combinations. My favourites were the Octopogs!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews