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Beautiful Math #5
Anno's Hat Tricks
The reader, with the help of two children, Tom and Hannah, two white hats, and three red hats learns about logic
41 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 1984
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 15, 2019
The Japanese illustrator and writer of children's books is better known for his wordless work but I have recently discovered some of his more interesting forays into broader areas.
In this particular book, Anno has teamed up with a friend of his, Akihiro Nozaki who is also a writer but of mathematics. Together they present more of an information text presented in a narrative format that explores the nature of logic. The reader is involved in this story (shown in the form of a shadow which I loved) along with a boy and a girl. The narrator guides us through the mathematical exploration which involves the reader working out what colour hat is on their head.
As an introduction into the basics of logic encouraging the imagination it's outstanding and probably one of a kind. Amusing and fascinating.
In this particular book, Anno has teamed up with a friend of his, Akihiro Nozaki who is also a writer but of mathematics. Together they present more of an information text presented in a narrative format that explores the nature of logic. The reader is involved in this story (shown in the form of a shadow which I loved) along with a boy and a girl. The narrator guides us through the mathematical exploration which involves the reader working out what colour hat is on their head.
As an introduction into the basics of logic encouraging the imagination it's outstanding and probably one of a kind. Amusing and fascinating.
September 22, 2024
What a marvelous find at a Little Free Library! Teaches logic, yes, but also the kind of brain work that exercises one's ability to be a detective (see the costume on the hatter ;) and the ability to see another's point of view, to imagine oneself in their place. It also references shadows, as made famous by the allegory of Plato's cave. Very smart. I'll have to reread it to be able to solve the puzzles by myself.
But do let me emphasize this is not a set of trivia puzzles. Logic is so very important, for scientists and voting citizens, for parents and educators and leaders! So, too, is the ability to see from perspectives of others, of course.
So I highly recommend this book! It is old, so probably your library has culled it. But you can read it for free on openlibrary.org, a source of archived books.
Extensive author's note. Apparently part of a series, too; I'll have to look for more like it.
But do let me emphasize this is not a set of trivia puzzles. Logic is so very important, for scientists and voting citizens, for parents and educators and leaders! So, too, is the ability to see from perspectives of others, of course.
So I highly recommend this book! It is old, so probably your library has culled it. But you can read it for free on openlibrary.org, a source of archived books.
Extensive author's note. Apparently part of a series, too; I'll have to look for more like it.
October 18, 2018
Introduction to probability in a fun simple math experiment you can re-create. I have three kids and I gave them red and white papers to put on their head like they were hats and we re-created the story in real life so they could understand it better by doing it. It would be super fun with the class if you had actual red and white hats and took turns.
And there’s a probability chart in the back that shows you the reasoning graphically.
And there’s a probability chart in the back that shows you the reasoning graphically.
July 19, 2021
It is really good to practice lawsuit to practice logic skill. Beginning with easy question to understand binary solutions. At the end, the author show how to ask these question with children and a trick to solve these problem by drawing diagram.
August 4, 2019
Very nice probability book for kids. I would like it better teaching math vocabulary and less making "Shadowchild" seem dumb. Kids already have a low sense of math self. Level P.
November 28, 2022
A picture book that teaches you to think out a logic puzzle. Clever and thorough
February 1, 2024
Para el niño y para el padre, un muy buen acercamiento a la lógica y probabilidad. Es una herramienta bien sencilla pero poderosa por que es divertida e interactiva, incluso para maestros.
May 16, 2009
This book is certainly beyond X-man at this stage. It is really a puzzle book introducing the concept of "if" and the power of correctly applied logic.
It is a little disingenuous to call this "Anno's Hat Tricks". Really the power of this book is in Akihiro Nozaki text and concept. Anno's name would certainly have got this book more read. His illustrations do provide a point of interest in what could otherwise be a pretty dry book - but I think the majority of illustrators would have been able to achieve this result.
The initial puzzles are relatively easy and even relatively young children will be able to work them out. The puzzles get increasingly difficult, until the last puzzle would be extremely difficult for a young child.
It is a little disingenuous to call this "Anno's Hat Tricks". Really the power of this book is in Akihiro Nozaki text and concept. Anno's name would certainly have got this book more read. His illustrations do provide a point of interest in what could otherwise be a pretty dry book - but I think the majority of illustrators would have been able to achieve this result.
The initial puzzles are relatively easy and even relatively young children will be able to work them out. The puzzles get increasingly difficult, until the last puzzle would be extremely difficult for a young child.
June 18, 2014
I wish I had hours to play with this book, which invites the reader in and seduces you into playing a series of logic games involving red and white hats. I found myself talking back to the strange hatter, scratching my head and flipping back and forth for reference to the next question. Although I figured out the color to my hat at the end, I'm not sure I can explain my reasoning, which means I should probably go back and read it again. However, I AM sure that I enjoy being called Shadowchild.
June 8, 2013
I love it! Logic for kids, completely accessible to kids. The puzzles develop from simple to complex. It's all about red and white hats and what you can deduce about the color of your hat from what you see and what the other people know. I was sad to see it's no longer in print. Someone needs to make a new edition, maybe with updated pictures.
Want to read
July 6, 2010The vintage kids' book website I love is giving away a copy of this book. I'm intrigued. I'm also interested in finding some of the books written and illustrated by the illustrator of this volume--Mitsumasa Anno.
June 13, 2012
I loved this book because it teaches students how to problem solve. It is a book to help students understand and put into writing the way they solve problem. I also liked that it started off with very simple problems and then moved on to more difficult, which will help kids stay engaged.
January 15, 2015
Great Book to teach Probability. The books dies various arrangements and even ups the difficulty after a while. This is a great way to get readers thinking about probability. The best part is that the book explains how the problem was solved after each one to better help comprehension.
October 20, 2015
A great book for readers that are ready to step into logic and "if" and "then" questions. Anno's simple illustrations with doll-like figures make for an easy way to engage with the puzzle tasks presented.
December 4, 2013
A good book for students to use logical thinking.
January 14, 2015
I love this book of logic. It will be a great addition to my math class.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews