Perimeter, Area, and Volume

January 30, 2012
The team behind numerous math-oriented books, including Mystery Math: A First Book of Algebra and Fun with Roman Numerals, turns to length, width, and depth using a cast of digitally rendered monsters that are starring in a 3-D movie, Monsters in the Neighborhood. Word problems prompt readers to find the dimensions of various objects, including the perimeter of two fences, the area of a rectangular movie screen, and the volume of a jumbo and large box of popcorn: “We call the amount a box holds, or the space anything with three dimensions takes up, its volume.” The movie-making elements feel unnecessary—the energetic monsters could easily carry the book on their own—but the math lessons are nonetheless delivered with clarity and enthusiasm. Ages 7–10.

February 1, 2012
Adler's workmanlike introduction to the three titular geometric concepts is straightforwardly instructive and without much whimsy, but Miller's lively accompanying artwork adds interest in the form a busy motley group of monsters engaged in cinematic pursuits. Concepts are introduced in brisk succession: First, the various names given to dimensions of three-dimensional objects are introduced; then circumference (and its attendant dependence on pi) quickly follows perimeter; area and volume come speeding along. Direct address is partly successful--readers are invited to help measure the perimeter of the monsters' yard and to figure out the area of a movie screen, for instance. But then there's this kind of confounding text: "Look at the posters outside the movie theater.... Do the monsters in the posters look real?" Well, no--but the fact that they don't isn't just because the posters show pictures of the characters in the story. It's because they are monsters, after all, and readers are seeing them in a two-dimensional picture-book illustration. The quick verbal and visual treatment of these concepts can appeal to math-oriented minds among preschool or primary-grade learners, but this effort misses the opportunity for an engagingly creative lure for the less math-minded. As an introduction to geometry it lacks important depth, simplicity and clarity in its visual approach. (Informational picture book. 6-10)

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April 1, 2012

Gr 2-5-A colorful cast of monsters takes readers on a journey to a 3-D movie, and along the way they calculate the perimeter, area, and volume of a variety of objects. Adler lays the groundwork by defining terminology ("high," "tall," "long," etc.), before presenting how one does the calculations. The explanations are clear and detailed. The bright, computer-enhanced illustrations will appeal to readers and also help to clarify the mathematical concepts being discussed in a graphic manner. For example, on one page a monster holds two rulers showing the dimensions of the page of the book as 8" by 10." In addition, word problems that are presented in the text are accompanied by images and equations appearing in the illustrations. An excellent supplement to reinforce these concepts.-Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2012
Grades 2-4 The opening scene takes place in a theater during a 3-D movie. A three-dimensional monster seems to emerge from the screen, delighting the even-more-monstrous little creatures in the audience. The movie theme runs throughout the book, and so do the monsters, who become characters in various geometry-related scenarios. After the characters' own dimensions (height, width, and depth) are measured, they appear in pictures showing the perimeter of a rectangle and the circumference of a circle. Other topics include measuring the area of the movie screen and comparing the volume of jumbo and large popcorn boxes. In a nice example of (literally) hands-on learning, one monster holds up a copy of Perimeter, Area, and Volume while its three dimensions are explained. The clear, well-focused text leaves plenty of room for imagination in the colorful, digitally rendered illustrations, where cheerful characters romp about, lightening the tone and making the lesson that much easier to absorb. An eye-catching introduction to dimensions.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
Geometric concepts (dimension, perimeter, area, volume) take front stage in Adler and Miller's latest offering. Unfortunately, the promising context--a monster movie premiere--shuffles in and out of the math talk, and the writing is clunky and occasionally confusing. Illustrations featuring not-so-scary monsters help to clarify the text.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)