One Hungry Cat

Hello Reader! Math Level 3

by Joanne Rocklin, Rowan Barnes-Murphy (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews Gr 1-3A simple, funny story combined with some basic math concepts that are so well integrated into the narrative that most readers won't even notice they're there. Tom the cat likes "to bake yummy things," and he begins by making a dozen chocolate cookies. He invites two of his friends over to enjoy his treats, but this weak-willed feline devours the cookies before they arrive. The story proceeds in a predictable way as Tom continues to bake goodies, which he carefully divides to share fairly, and ends up eating them also. Throughout the story, subtle math problems arise. How does one divide eight cookies onto three plates, or cut a square cake into three equal pieces? How much time does Tom have before his friends arrive? Youngsters do not have to solve these puzzles while reading the story; they are presented at the back of the book. Simple hands-on activities reinforce the concepts (for the cookie example, it is suggested that the child count pennies onto drawn plates). The text is appropriate for independent reading, although it could be used as a one-on-one read-aloud as well. The zany cartoon art will no doubt appeal to children; Tom wears a large bow tie, striped apron, and shorts with stars on them. This solid easy reader has a lot to offer on many levels.Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY About The Author: As soon as Joanne Rocklin learned to hold a pencil she began writing poems, stories, and diaries. She loved reading her stories and library books to her two younger sisters and has always lived within walking distance of a library. Joanne has written more than 15 books for children. She gives frequent talks to classroom and adult audiences, and has been a speaker for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the California Reading Association, and UCLA Extension. Joanne has worked as a licensed psychologist and an elementary school teacher and now writes full time. She was a participant as a Writer-in-Residen

Genres: Mathematics, Childrens, Cats

40 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

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

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for a "living math" day. The kids had a blast. The book discusses division and subtraction in a totally non-threatening way.

At first he bakes 12 cookies (so we talked about what makes a dozen) and he invited 3 friends to come share them. So we divided our cookies onto 3 plates and figured out that 12 divided by 3 is 4.

He eats some cookies then a few more so we showed the reduction and redistribution of the remaining treats.

Then he bakes a cake and divides it into 4, but realizes that is one piece too many...eats half...eats some more...and so on. We used graham crackers for this part.

Finally he bakes 2 blueberry muffins using 9 blueberries to we discussed division, odds/evens, etc. We used marshmallows but you could use real blueberries, M&Ms, whatever. That's just what I had on hand.

My older boys already knew this stuff but they had a lot of fun participating and helping to explain concepts to the younger boys. And they enjoyed the eating! I also had all the boys help make the cookies so we discussed measuring, fractions, etc. and got some good life skills in as well.

A fun book and a fun activity!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sneaky, sneaky -- It looks like a book about a cat who likes to eat cookies and cakes. But it's also a book about division, remainders, subtraction, and sharing.

The author includes Math activities, and the story works for multiple Reading and Math levels. The only thing I'd add is baking recipes!

Borrowed from my coworker before it's donated to the next generation.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story that gives practical uses for division.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute way to introduce children to division. A good story with fun math-related activities in the back.

[Kelley Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book to use for teaching division. The great thing about this book is that it even has several activities listed in the back of the book to help students understand division. It also states right on the cover that this book is a reader level 3 for first and second grades. And you can't help but love Tom and laugh at his logic.

[D'Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book about math disguised as a book about gluttony.