Fibonacci Zoo

by Tom Robinson, Christina Wald (Illustrations)

When Eli and his father visit an unusual zoo, they count the creatures in each exhibit. Eli sees one alligator, then one bison, and next two camels. Soon a number pattern emerges and Eli thinks he can predict how many animals will be in the next exhibit. Explore the zoo with Eli as he runs ahead to test his hypothesis.

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2015

About the author

Tom Robinson teaches high school science and math and has coauthored an online advance placement physics course. He lives in the Seattle, Washington area.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy-to-follow explanation of Fibonacci numbers.
Nicely illustrated.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for introducing Fibonacci numbers to kids.

[Tate Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Review

[Alexis Speciale · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was very informative and a very interesting concept for a childrens book. I think that it might be hard to understand if I had not already been taught this information. but still really enjoyed reading this.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arbordale Publishing has again combined education with entertainment. Author Tom Robinson has taken the mathematical concept of fibonacci sequencing and applied it simplistically in a story where a young boy and his father visit a zoo. As they visit the various animal displays, Eli (the boy) notices that there is a pattern. Each display's number of animals increases and that increase is predictable by adding the number of the previous two displays. He has basically discovered the concept of fibonacci sequencing.

We've all seen the beauty of spirals in nature and mathematicians have discovered that this is actually the same as fibonacci sequencing. Personally, not being mathematically inclined, understanding this concept is a bit beyond me but I do follow what Eli has discovered.

The illustrator, Christina Wald, has used the imagery of circles (whether this was done intentionally or not) which allows the reader's mind subconsciously to entertain the theory of the fibonacci sequence spiral. Written for the grade K-3 child, the concept might not be easily grasped in this age group even though the story and presentation is simple.

Using the concept of entertaining stories to bring out a mathematical concept is a growing trend in educational fiction. In this, as with other Arbordale Publishing books, there are several pages in the back of the book that present material and activities for the creative mind. This can be well-used by the adult to lead the child into understanding the concepts brought out in the story.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Maryann Skaritka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about number sequencing becomes a fun activity for young readers as they join Eli and his father at the Fibonacci Zoo.

Eli brings along his notebook and writes down all the animals he sees in each zoo exhibit.

The sequencing concept is reinforced on each page. The illustrations are bright and colorful and will hold a child's attention.

The concept itself might be hard for early learners to grasp, but its an excellent introduction.

Included in the back of the book are 4 pages of additional learning activities.

Overall young readers will have fun going on this trip to the zoo while subtly learning number sequencing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to number patterns, this picture book follows Eli and his father on their trip to the zoo. Since Eli is recording the number of animals they see, he detects a numerical pattern as they move from one exhibit to the next. Although his results might have been different if they had explored the exhibits in a different direction, the book is a good reminder to pay attention to what's in front of you. As is always the case with books from this publisher, the back matter includes numerous activities to explore the concepts taught through the story.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This introduction to the Fibonacci sequence is best suited for primary students, and it has several pages of back matter so readers can learn learn more about this special number pattern.