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37th out of 61 books
—
154 voters
Zero Is The Leaves On The Tree
It's easy to count three of something-- just add them up. But how do you count zero, a number that is best defined by what it's not?
Can you see it?
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
This important math concept is beautifully explored in a way that will inspire children to find zero everywhere--from the branches of a tree by day to the vast, starry sky by night.
Can you see it?
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
This important math concept is beautifully explored in a way that will inspire children to find zero everywhere--from the branches of a tree by day to the vast, starry sky by night.
Hardcover, 30 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Tricycle Press
(first published August 11th 2009)
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Dec 11, 2011
Gabrielle Goodstein
added it
Where is the math: A charming book that explores the concept of zero by artfully describing scenes notable for what is not there. “Zero is…the ripples in the pool before the first swimmer jumps in. 0 ripples.” Ages 5 and up.
Genre: picture book
Theme/Keywords: Number sense, concept of zero
Features of print: The book features charming illustrations and examples that border on being poetic.
Language considerations: English text.
Cultural considerations: Multi-cultural characters depicted.
Open Ended...more
Genre: picture book
Theme/Keywords: Number sense, concept of zero
Features of print: The book features charming illustrations and examples that border on being poetic.
Language considerations: English text.
Cultural considerations: Multi-cultural characters depicted.
Open Ended...more
How do you define zero? How do you draw a picture of nothing? The author and the illustrator make a valiant attempt in this picture book for ages 5-8. The problem lies in portraying negative space. Zero is the sleds on the hillside when the snow melts. How do you draw them if they are not there? Zero is the kites in the sky when there's no wind. How do you draw no kites? Sometimes the attempt is too strained and even confusing, as in, "Zero is the bikes in the bike rack on the last day of schoo...more
I adore this book (and, more importantly, my 2+-year-old son does, too!). It has lovely illustrations, running through a cycle of seasons using everyday situations in life and nature to explain the concept of zero. It's a quite complicated idea, this symbol for "none" or "null" or "nothing." This book illustrates it beautifully. The math geek in me loves the idea of a picture book about zero the same way the jazz geek in me loves Chris Raschka's "Charlie Parker Played Be Bop." Sophisticated idea...more
The author uses metaphors from children’s lives to explain the concept of zero. I could see this book being used a lot with students to better understand zero or as a writing prompt.
A little from the book:
“Zero is…
the balls in the bin at recess time.”
Reactions from children:
Two unexpected problems with the book: We live in the southern part of the United States and many of the metaphors involved concepts our children never experience (the sound of snowfall, for example). The younger children lik...more
A little from the book:
“Zero is…
the balls in the bin at recess time.”
Reactions from children:
Two unexpected problems with the book: We live in the southern part of the United States and many of the metaphors involved concepts our children never experience (the sound of snowfall, for example). The younger children lik...more
While basically just a book about the concept of zero, Franco's evocative, poetic word/concept choices and Arihara's gorgeous paintings make this one of my favorite books of the year. The book follows the seasons, beginning with fall, with vignettes both in the classroom at out in the world. The title is one example of zero, referring to the leaves left on the tree in fall: zero. Another, "Zero is...the bikes in the bike rack on the last day of school."
This book is interesting from a number of perspectives. First it addresses the number zero...colorfully illustrated throughout the year and the book. It does a nice job of introducing the seasons and the world around us. Finally, it is an interesting example of writing that focuses on one concept and could be used to teach writing to students who are older than the targeted picture book audience.
This is a very unique story. People do not usually focus on the number zero so it was neat to read a story all about zero. I thought it was creative that the story goes through all of the different seasons, and follows the children throughout the school year. The illustrations are amazing. The pictures appear to be water colors. I loved the different colors and textures.
Sep 10, 2010
Lisa Vegan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fun way of teaching the concept of the number zero
This is a fabulous and fun way of teaching about the concept of zero, the number zero.
There are short descriptions on every page for “Zero is…” with various things that apply to children’s everyday lives and things in nature with which children are familiar. Children see zero = nothing, none, absent.
The paintings are wonderful, especially those that include the natural world and a cute one at a swimming pool with various children.
The tone ranges from awestruck to funny to just a bit melancholy t...more
There are short descriptions on every page for “Zero is…” with various things that apply to children’s everyday lives and things in nature with which children are familiar. Children see zero = nothing, none, absent.
The paintings are wonderful, especially those that include the natural world and a cute one at a swimming pool with various children.
The tone ranges from awestruck to funny to just a bit melancholy t...more
Spare poetic text by Betsy Franco and evocative drawingsby illustrate the concept of zero. I fear that students who need to have zero might have difficulty with some of the concepts. For example: "Zero is . . . the kites in the sky once the wind stops blowing." Lexile measure is AD700.
An interesting book to explain the concept of zero to children. The illustrations are beautiful.
Towards the end, I felt that the author was really reaching for next zero.
Towards the end, I felt that the author was really reaching for next zero.
I enjoyed this. Probably not something that I would've normally sought out, but when my 4 year old and I were talking about zero the librarian recommended this. Good book.
I love reading children's books about 0. It would be great to find a picture book similar to Betsy Franco's but in a historical context of the Maya and Olmeca people.
A very simple, nicely illustrated book about what zero means. Illustrations really enforce the concept.
Not a standout among NFPBs this year, but a nicely illustrated, simple concept book.
A hard concept brought to life simply and with expressive art.
Paintings and flowing text illustrate the numerical concept of zero
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A calm and imaginative math concept book.
math, science, school, seasons
Picture are good.
Okay.
Okay.
Very pretty and simple book.
Nice illustrations.
Not as much counting as about the number.
33 months - I think O already understood the concept of zero or nothing but this was a good review and if she didn't have it mastered before she totally gets it now. Some examples are a bit of a stretch and I would argue not quite correct... The number of bikes on the last day of school? I'd bet there are kids that rode on the last day... probably should have been "After" the last day...
This book is provides the reader with a variety of scenarios for when 0 items are present. The illustrations are good.
Could be used to teach predicting.
Could be used to teach predicting.
An interesting book to explain the concept of zero to children. The illustrations are beautiful.
Towards the end, I felt that the author was really reaching for next zero.
Towards the end, I felt that the author was really reaching for next zero.
A great way to help your child learn about zero.
Apr 04, 2013
Suzanne Hennequin
marked it as to-read
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Betsy Franco has published more than eighty books, including three previous anthologies. She lives in Palo Alto, California.
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