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Infinity: Figuring Out Forever
What is infinity? Explore this fascinating and complex math concept and its purpose in our world in this picture book that both demystifies and explains. Perfect for kids who grew up on Baby University books like Quantum Physics for Babies.
Defining infinity is difficult. But there is one thing people do every day that leads to infinity—counting. No matter what large number you name, there is always a larger number. By reading this book, kids can begin to think about this and other powerful ideas involving infinity, including how infinity relates to rocket science. Featuring clear text and beautiful photographs, this is an excellent choice for kids who want to delve deeper into math and science and for those ready to look at the world in a new way.
Defining infinity is difficult. But there is one thing people do every day that leads to infinity—counting. No matter what large number you name, there is always a larger number. By reading this book, kids can begin to think about this and other powerful ideas involving infinity, including how infinity relates to rocket science. Featuring clear text and beautiful photographs, this is an excellent choice for kids who want to delve deeper into math and science and for those ready to look at the world in a new way.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2022
1466 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 28, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Infinity: Figuring out Forever, is a short book to explain infinity to children. Infinity is a mind boggling concept to think about even for us adults, and this is a good little book to try to explain it to children in a way they can grasp it. The illustrations were great and drew my attention on each page. I would have liked this book to be longer as I felt it was very short. I think this would be a great STEM resource book to have in any classroom!
Infinity: Figuring out Forever, is a short book to explain infinity to children. Infinity is a mind boggling concept to think about even for us adults, and this is a good little book to try to explain it to children in a way they can grasp it. The illustrations were great and drew my attention on each page. I would have liked this book to be longer as I felt it was very short. I think this would be a great STEM resource book to have in any classroom!
April 15, 2022
Ironically for a book about infinity,this is a really short book. It aims to give kids an understanding of what is a boggling concept even for adults. The illustrations are clear to understand and using the image of the infinite school is an excellent way to get young children to get to grips with the idea. A good introduction,then but I find it hard to see an average parent picking it up in a bookstore, so probably a book best used in a purely educational setting.
February 6, 2024
I struggle with the idea of infinity but it's a concept that many others probably struggle with as well. Making a book about it for young kids doesn't work especially when it is such a short book. The author's discussion of the mirror doesn't explain that those two mirrors need to be parallel to each other. The other issue that bugged me was the author's use of a line with two arrows that is supposed to show the line continuing. His line is actually a line segment because the two arrows are actually endpoints so the line he showed does end. I'll admit the idea of repeating a math problem endlessly and never reaching zero really confused me. Maybe because she used an orange slice and I would think that after multiple cuts there would be a moment where there's no orange left. I may be wrong and definitely overthinking the whole book but I'm the mom who points out mistakes and problems in the many books that we read together. Actually I'm the annoying mom and wife who points out the mistakes and issues in tv and movies as well. So would I recommend this book to kids? I would say no because the audience it's geared towards will probably struggle to understand it and many parents will probably struggle to explain it.
March 5, 2025
A fascinating nonfiction picture book that uses photographs and easy to understand examples to introduce the concept of infinity. It is a complex topic and this book doesn't try to answer all questions. Rather it is a gateway to understanding how this idea is used in math and science. A great resource to use when introducing calculus.
"You can always imagine one more."
"You can always imagine one more."
October 15, 2022
Sarah has introduced a very difficult concept to school age children. Her content is great and the need for this type of book is present.
I'd have to say though, I would see this as more for a middle school reader, not an elementary school reader. I say this because the vocabulary use is for an older child, not an elementary school child.
Thank you Astra Books and Goodreads for this advance copy.
I'd have to say though, I would see this as more for a middle school reader, not an elementary school reader. I say this because the vocabulary use is for an older child, not an elementary school child.
Thank you Astra Books and Goodreads for this advance copy.
April 27, 2022
A perfectly reasonable fist at explaining infinity to early students of STEM subjects. The text certainly has a greatly suitable lack of complexity, and the illustrations and why they were chosen are clear too, but with all things being equal and school library funds being definitely on the finite side, I might see this struggle to justify being a stand-alone title, and not part of a greater maths volume. If it and nothing else is what's called for, this is evidently at least a four-star success.
April 13, 2022
Thank you, Astra Publishing House, for the advance reading copy.
I find the inclusion of real pictures totally surprising and for a good reason. The reading becomes more interesting and gets explained in a more realistic manner for such nonfiction books for young readers.
However, the presentation can be a little more beginner friendly and the writing can be more easier keeping the reading age group in mind.
I find the inclusion of real pictures totally surprising and for a good reason. The reading becomes more interesting and gets explained in a more realistic manner for such nonfiction books for young readers.
However, the presentation can be a little more beginner friendly and the writing can be more easier keeping the reading age group in mind.
August 29, 2022
Sarah C. Campbell, with some help from her husband Richard P. Campbell, has once again taken words and photographs to bring meaning for children to a mathematical and scientific concept in her newest book Infinity: Figuring Out Forever that goes on sale tomorrow, August 30.
Sarah begins by pointing out the challenge of defining and thinking about infinity. She illustrates the difficulty of counting large numbers with pictures of leaves on a tree and swarms of birds. Then she points out that no matter how large a number one can count or think of, there is always one more that can be added. Conversely, an object cut in half can be cut in half again, and again, and again without ever reaching zero. The book itself with its photographs will be fascinating as soon as children begin to learn about numbers. The author’s note at the end will add things for older children and adults who are reading the book aloud to add to their own quandary and understanding of infinity.
This is the fourth book that this duo has written with all of them taking an intriguing look at the world of science and math in nature through their excellent photographs and words of wondering. In case you missed the others, check your local library or independent book store for Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator (2008), Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature (2010), and Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature.
Sarah begins by pointing out the challenge of defining and thinking about infinity. She illustrates the difficulty of counting large numbers with pictures of leaves on a tree and swarms of birds. Then she points out that no matter how large a number one can count or think of, there is always one more that can be added. Conversely, an object cut in half can be cut in half again, and again, and again without ever reaching zero. The book itself with its photographs will be fascinating as soon as children begin to learn about numbers. The author’s note at the end will add things for older children and adults who are reading the book aloud to add to their own quandary and understanding of infinity.
This is the fourth book that this duo has written with all of them taking an intriguing look at the world of science and math in nature through their excellent photographs and words of wondering. In case you missed the others, check your local library or independent book store for Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator (2008), Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature (2010), and Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature.
September 14, 2022
I received this book in a giveaway from goodreads and I can not wait to include it in my future classroom library and lessons. I think this book is great for a lesson about infinity, a math extension, or even just for the student who asks tons of questions about the world and has an inquiring mind. I think that for such a complicated concept they did a great job of explaining it in a clear and concise way and that the examples and images were very helpful. Some parts of the book may be confusing to younger kids but there is definitely something there for all kids and I think it could turn into a great discussion. Thank you for the copy! I’m sure my future students will love it!
December 5, 2022
This book was an interesting introduction to the concept of infinity (as distinct from the concept of big).
Campbell presents engaging examples and clear language about the concept. She presents multiple examples. She shares some numbers and then states that by adding just 1, that number moves towards infinity.
This is a hard concept, but math teachers would be happy to have children read this book as an introduction. I can see children ages 8 to 12 enjoying this book.
Richard P. Campbell presents some great photographs to support the concept. For example, there is a picture of a road that has a vanishing point in the distance, illustrating endlessness.
Campbell presents engaging examples and clear language about the concept. She presents multiple examples. She shares some numbers and then states that by adding just 1, that number moves towards infinity.
This is a hard concept, but math teachers would be happy to have children read this book as an introduction. I can see children ages 8 to 12 enjoying this book.
Richard P. Campbell presents some great photographs to support the concept. For example, there is a picture of a road that has a vanishing point in the distance, illustrating endlessness.
September 18, 2022
I'm not sure why there are reviews critiquing the length of this book. It's a children's book, which tend to be shorter, and it's covering one topic. Infinity, like zero, can be a difficult concept for children to grasp. I feel this book does a nice job of explaining the concept with images for the visual learner. It's bright and fun, which will grab the attention of children. This is a great resource for primary age children. It will be a perfect addition to my daughter's montessori homeschool work.
March 16, 2023
This book explains infinity as a concept for an elementary school age audience by using something they are very familiar with: counting. The photographic examples including fractions, mirrors, and the horizon make it very relatable to things they have seen. It's still a difficult concept that a non-fiction picture book can't fully explain well enough. A read aloud book that will definitely get kids thinking.
January 8, 2024
I read this book for two award lists: I was an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award and as a committee member for the Charlie May Simon Award. This book is recommended for ages 7-10 (grades 2nd - 5th) and it is very complex when describing infinity. I think this book would be more appropriate if left to only the Charlie May List, as it feels/reads too old for the Diamond. I am no math-lover by any means, so this one didn't catch my attention like it will for some others.
August 7, 2024
Concise and straightforward primer that clarified quite a bit about the concept for me, and I've been intrigued by the idea for a half century. Infinity is not a number; it just means endlessness. Infinitely small is a thing. Infinity is used to solve calculus which is used for such things as getting Rovers to Mars. Don't miss the back matter!! I will look for the 'further reading' books.
Not my first, nor my last, by the Campbells. Their work certainly isn't just for 'tweens.
Not my first, nor my last, by the Campbells. Their work certainly isn't just for 'tweens.
June 22, 2022
Infinity is a book about that sometimes ominous, sometimes hopeful number. Infinity can be a scary concept, but this book helps kids look at infinity and its uses. This book tries to prove infinity is more hopeful than scary. There is always more out there is an interesting way of looking at things.
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November 28, 2022The concept of infinity is mind-boggling, but this book, which its crisp photographs and writing will be helpful to budding mathematicians. My only quibble is that the photos aren't captioned. While most don't need one, I was curious about the staircase and the photo credits provide no further info.
Back matter includes an author's note, a glossary and websites and books for further reading.
Back matter includes an author's note, a glossary and websites and books for further reading.
September 21, 2022
Thank You to GoodReads & Sarah C. Campbell Richard P. Campbell for my ARC of this amazing book, which I plan to put under the Christmas tree this holiday season for my 9 year old daughter, from ‘Santa’. I am pretty certain that she will find it just as intriguing as I have.
April 15, 2022
Infinity is difficult to understand, but this book makes it much easier for kids and adults alike to understand. This would be a great book for a math classroom and library.
November 11, 2022
An intriguing visual exploration of infinity (and the fdifference between infinity and REALLY large numbers!).
November 23, 2022
Fun and lovely picture book that challenges kids to think about infinity -- it's not a number, but what does that mean?
June 8, 2023
How to you grasp such a concept?
This book will help middle grades and older. Followed by two pages of author notes, glossary, and bibliography.
This book will help middle grades and older. Followed by two pages of author notes, glossary, and bibliography.
August 11, 2023
Great educational book that explains "infinity" to children and helps them to grasp the idea of continuing forever and ever.
September 19, 2023
This book does an amazing job of explaining infinity to a young audience.
March 24, 2024
It’s okay. It’s not a read aloud. However, for curious students who like math it would be just okay.
November 3, 2024
Infinity: Figuring Out Forever by Sarah C. Campbell is a math book. Photos by Richard Campbell are used to share this big idea. What is infinity? How big is infinity? The book is brilliant. Children can see and understand this complicated math term with this book. It includes fractions and other math and science terms. Winner of MLA children book award 2024.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews