2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories

by Loreen Leedy

Multiplication is made frightfully fun. A table is included.

Genres: Mathematics, Halloween, Picture Books, Multiplication, Childrens, Humor, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Loreen Leedy is the author and illustrator of over 40 picture books with math, science, language arts, and other curriculum content. Her books showcase information in a kid-friendly format, often with characters and entertaining stories.

Honors and awards for her books include: ALA Notable Book, Science Books and Films finalist, Reading Rainbow feature book, Chicago Library Best of the Best, many Scholastic Book Fair selections, Florida Book Award, Parent's Choice Award, many Junior Library Guild selections, and Outstanding Science Trade Book by the National Science Teachers Association.

Loreen has spoken at hundreds of schools and many conferences such as the International Reading Association, the American Library Association, the Mazza Summer Conference, and the UVU Engaged Reading Forum.

She lives in central Florida with her husband Andy, who is a scientist and a cat named Knickers who has an easily triggered purrometer. They love to travel, read, and watch movies.

Reviews

[Celia Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found this one at the thrift shop I originally bought it because I didn't have a lot of math books that made math more accessible to kids. Even though multiplication is often above the grade levels I want to teach, this book is still useful to have on hand.

One thing I like about this one is the spooky / Halloween theme. If I were to use this book in a third grade classroom, according to common core students would get their first multiplication instruction right around October. 2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories is fun because it gets at math content through something that students are likely thinking about at the time of year when the concept is introduced. This makes the content more relatable because it is relevant to the time of year.

I also appreciate the way the book approaches these multiplication concepts. We start at 0 and multiply that by 1 - 5, then continue on through 5. This sets up a good foundation for looking at a times table, which is a pretty abstract concept. However, it is made more concrete for students throughout this book. In fact, there is a times table on the last page of the book, after a "just the facts" page. This makes sure the math content is the central focus of the story.

I don't know if I'll end up keeping this one if I teach kindergarten or first grade, or whether I'll pass it on to someone who could use it more. I like it a lot, but it may be better suited for a teacher who is actually teaching the content. At the same time, it would be good for differentiation, especially if we have students who are comprehending the math concepts well and need an extra challenge, even at the kindergarten or first grade level.

*Read for: Children's Books group (Picture Book Club) - October 2022 Halloween Books

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I like about this one is the spooky / Halloween theme. If I were to use this book in a third grade classroom, according to common core students would get their first multiplication instruction right around October. 2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories is fun because it gets at math content through something that students are likely thinking about at the time of year when the concept is introduced. This makes the content more relatable because it is relevant to the time of year.

I also appreciate the way the book approaches these multiplication concepts. We start at 0 and multiply that by 1 - 5, then continue on through 5. This sets up a good foundation for looking at a times table, which is a pretty abstract concept. However, it is made more concrete for students throughout this book.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to have students practice with multiplication up to five. Students will learn how to multiply in a fun way using Halloween related scenarios. It helps students get engaged with math using Halloween objects that motivate the students to learn. This book can be used for students in 2-3 grade.

[Aaron Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for first through third grade students to learn to use multiplication facts. It uses fun Halloween stories in order to teach each multiplication facts. You could do a fun activity with this by allowing students to make their own Halloween themed multiplication stories and then allowing them to illustrate their stories to put them all together and make a class book.

[Jennifer Rodriguez-Aguilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book titled “2x2=Boo” by Loreen Leedy is a book that has a set of multiplication stories for kids to enjoy and ready while at the same time getting skills in their multiplication and math skills. For example, in the book it has a section called the disappearing 0. And it tells a story of a 0 that is never there and a lot of cool pictures but at the same time students are learning that when you times something by 0 it will always be 0. So, it’s helping them with their multiplication tables.
As for a teacher this book would be great for comprehension on their math skills. For students that are struggling with their math this book would be awesome because they would be learning and practicing their math. It tells a story, and helps them at the same time with their multiplication tables. As a math teacher this would be a very interactive and helpful book for the students.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book about math featuring some Halloween characters. I liked the way the math facts are presents in the book, the repetition of the same number so the child can see a pattern taking place and I liked how the illustrations reinforce that same scenario. I like how each chapter is devoted to one specific number. The way that the characters try to explain multiplication is not confusing but give the reader a visual, a number sentence and an explanation. Great illustrations also. This book only covers the multiplication facts from 1-5 so don't expect something like 1 x 7 because the highest this book covers is 5 x 5. This is not a scary book, if you are worried about that.

[Valerie Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 x 2= Boo! is a Halloween book filled with multiplication stories. The first set of stories deals with a witch who makes everything disappear (Representing times zero). For times two, Dr. Spook has double vision glasses which make him see 2 of everything. Three pumpkin head scarecrows are used to multiply two sets of eyes, three sets of teeth, etc. The story continues through multiplication of five.

This would be a great book to use with a class either prior to learning multiplication or even while they are learning their facts. It would help students visualize the math problems.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loved this book, but the first chapter the most and less so until the last chapter which he said wasn't good. He was pretty upset when I had returned it to the library after reading it twice. Guess we will be checking it out again. Very cute.

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun math with the halloween spirit learning up to the 5 times table.

[Ashley Shrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and spooky Halloween book that makes math fun.

[Caryn Paradise]

Super cute, entertaining way to intro the idea. My almost 5yo loved it!

[April Grob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Halloween scary story that I can use for teaching #yes!!!

[Vo Khon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multifly by 0, 1, 2 (double), 3 (triple), 4. and explain each!
Good drawing too.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do wish that the cats didn't Disappear into Nothing in the Zero story.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concept of this book and its approach to teaching multiplication. However, I believe this book would be best used as a seasonal teaching aid (given its Halloween themes).
The basic concept is that there are five stories about multiplying from zero to five ,and some basic tricks to perform those calculations. The most entertaining section, in my opinion, was the section on multiplying by fours since it gave a very clever exchange between two bats that would be entertaining to some children. The illustrations and explanations are very engaging for young children, and it works very well with a themed lesson plan or a Halloween party atmosphere.
My only complaint is that the author could have really helped by making the book more accessible for the entire school year rather than just Halloween otherwise I don't really have anything to complain about in regards to the book.
I believe that this type of book should primarily be used to teach early multiplication on a second and third grade level during the Halloween season, and that it could be used to supplement the lesson plans with just the right amount of fun and intelligence that can keep the classrooms attention for a long period of time.

[Elizabethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my kids (ages 5 and 8) top 5 or 10 favorite picture books; They ask me to read it to them at least once a week, and every day in the month of October. With clever Halloween themed stories this is an introduction to multiplication that is truly enjoyable. It's effective as well. My kids learned their multiplication facts up until 5 with no formal lessons just from reading and re-reading this book. It doesn't hurt that the title is so cute and catchy. Even my two year old likes to run around yelling "2 times 2 Equals BOOOOOO!!!!!" whenever we get it out. I've said it before, every kid should have all of Loreen Leedy's fun math books.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read several of Loreen Leedy's books. Many of them incorporate math concepts into a story. This is more of a straight math book that illustrates different multiplication facts. There's not much of a tale, but the monsters and Halloween theme make it a fun book to read at this time of year. We enjoyed reading this book together and we will certainly look for more of her books at our local library.

[Salima Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilariously entertaining book with different stories about two animals comparing their owner to the other's. Each explain how their owner made things change by multiplying them in different ways. I love how the stories are set up like a comic book so that students have fun while still learning. The book is set up in different chapters that focus on how to multiply with different numbers. I love the book, but I wish that it wasn't so centered around Halloween because the stories are a cute way to emphasize what was previously taught about multiplications.

[Niena Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose the book, "2x2=Boo" by Loreen Leedy because it is important to have counting books in the classroom. This book is a great example to have when teaching students about the disappearing zero, singles, doubles, triples, quads, and the multiplication table. It is in chapters so I recommend using it in the fourth or fifth grade unless as a teacher you can incorporate a simpler lesson for the students. I liked the pictures that went along with the story problems.

[Jessica Vu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a fun book to have in a math center when children are first learning to multiply, which is usually done in the fall of 3rd grade (perfect for a halloween book). It multiplies numbers up to five with fun, spooky stories, such as; making a "boo stew" or "triple eyes."

Reads like a comic book.

[Vanessa Peavy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for teaching multiplication in a fun way. This book can also be used for engaging in hands on activities. For examples: You can give a group of students zip-lock bags along with some manipulative (beans, marbles, rocks,etc.) and have them figure out how to turn one bag of "candy" into five bags.

[Sarah Ziskend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uses a creative comic book style approach to teaching kids different rules or strategies for multiplication. Good for younger kids working on multiplication rules for 0-4, As a teacher of mathematics,i could integrate this into my lesson plans about multiplication. Students will be engaged by the books use of illustrations and humor.

[Allison Burke]

This is a great book that shares silly little comics that have to do with teaching about multiplication. It's a great book for Halloween and it goes over multiplication time tables such as x0, x1,x2, x3, x4x x5. The illustrations are great! Could be used for many activities in the classroom. Grades 3-5

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Loreen Leady. I wish these books were around when I was in Elementary School. They make math easy to understand and fun!

The stories are cute, they make it clear and there are answers in the back!! Great! I love the humor and the learning. Very Close to 4 1/2 stars but I am very stingy with my fives...I still loved it!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun halloween cartoon/story book. I would use this book to introduce multiplication for second grades and review with third grades. There are many fun and clear explanation along with the halloween events.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book to use for a lesson on beginning multiplication. It deal with multiplying numbers up to five with fun "halloween like" stories. Each mini story we learn a multiplication fact beginning with 0.

[Lauren Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

2x2= BOO! is a fun book for silly ways to introduce multiplication basics. It presents multiplication rules such as anything times 0 is 0 in a funny way that may stick the the kids to help them to remember.
Recommended grade level: 2

[James Vickery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great to use for students from grade 2-3. This book would be great to read around Halloween time to get students motivated about learing multiplication. Each multiplication fact is shown in a series of haloween stories. This book would be best to teach multiplication facts to 5.

[Gianna Romo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great seasonal book that can be used in teh fall to discuss multiplication concepts. I would encourage children to create their own multiplication stories with a partner. They would have to find more than one way to solve their math problem.

[Evelyn Matias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat book to introduce around halloween. It's a fun math book for multiplication. This book teaches what zero times anything is, what anything times one is, and what two numbers the same multiplied are. Great math book!