How Much Is That Guinea Pig in the Window?

Hello Reader! Math Level 4

by Joanne Rocklin, Meredith Johnson (Illustrator)

Combining two concepts into one, Scholastic came up with a new twist to their Hello Reader beginning reader line. The innovative Hello Math Reader series combines simple math concepts in an easy-to-read story plus six pages of math activities for parents and children to enjoy together. Grade 2 - Grade 3.

Genres: Childrens, Money, Mathematics

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

I was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the land of four distinct seasons. The winters are so long!

Wintry days and nights inspired me to read many, many books, the most important thing a writer can do. Of course other seasons inspired me, too! And as soon as I learned to hold a pencil I began writing poems, stories, and diaries.

I have always owned cats (or they have owned me, a cliché, but true!) Coincidentally, all our cats have been authors, and I’ve compiled their writing secrets in the essay “Why Cats Write.”

And I have always lived within walking distance of a library. (O.K. in California, within almost-walking, but driving distance!) I love to read and write, but I also love to talk--especially about writing.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I have read the book How Much Is That Guinea Pig in the Window? (Hello Math Reader. Level 4) by Joanne Rocklin more than once, and I have found plenty of good and positive things to say about it as well.

The way I see it, it is really good, as well as superbly well-written and highly amazing when it comes to the topics of arithmetic, recycling things like bottles and cans and being responsible when it comes to pets.

Plus, I noticed phrases I felt were quite helpful (such as ‘half off’ and ‘on sale’ to name a few). They really helped put things into perspective (and in a good way). Also, I noticed the two turtles were twenty dollars each; if the class bought the two turtles, the total would’ve been forty dollars, and they’d still have ten dollars left over (since they had raised fifty dollars from a bake sale).

From my perspective, I highly recommend this book, and I give it five stars (although ten stars would be a good idea as well). After all, budgeting for things you want is a good idea. And, it also teaches kids that taking care of a pet (especially a class pet) is a big responsibility (as well as what the word “responsibility” means), too. 😇🦅

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale about a class deciding which pet to purchase with the funds from a bake sale. It's an exercise in addition, subtraction, multiplying, dividing, budgeting, and more. I love that the math is woven seamlessly into the narrative and our girls were quick to come up with the answers.

We discussed the choices they would have made and options for generating more income. We also discussed which pets were their favorites, regardless of the cost. It's an interesting story with engaging illustrations.

This book is in the Hello Reader! Math Level 4 series. We really enjoyed reading this story together and we'll look for more of these books at our local library.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that I read in my childhood that I adored! It's a wonderful buy for parents teaching their kids to budget their money for things they would like to buy! Great!

[Cws]

JEAR2-Roc

[Ashley Wampler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The children are raising money for their class pet. They finally pick one out, but need to earn more money quickly in order to be able to buy everything that it needs!

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a learning how-to-read book where each chapter turns into one big story problem. I can't say that I was interested in this book, paid much attention and it certainly didn't draw me in. Something about a classroom of kids having to earn enough money to go on a field trip: it was full of numbers and math problems that muddled up the story but I suppose some kids would find that interesting. I would rather keep my literature and math separated.

[Jecel Cortes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet and cute kids book. The story over all is very well rewrite and it shows how important team work is. The main character in this book is a little boy named Bard. He's class is getting a new class pet, which he hates the idea of a class pet, but thought the book he begins to want a class pet.

[Arely Cortes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book I think would be better for younger kids. I personally didn't really enjoy it. It was a nice story though and younger kids will probably enjoy it more.

[Marcos Cortes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guinea Pig look good.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for teaching basic math concepts. However, I think the soda punch storyline was not the best idea as there were no consequences. And I don't know a single mother who would appreciate having 36 cans of soda dumped into a backyard swimming pool, and for consumption. A good lesson on working for the things you want.

[Mey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think you all have t