The Picnic Problem

STEAM Stories

by Jonathan Litton, Magali Mansilla (Illustrator)

Max and Suzy receive an invitation to a mathematical treasure hunt in the park. Can the dynamic duo use their math skills to solve mind-bending puzzles in order to enjoy the perfect picnic?
Challenges include: identifying shapes, counting, multiplying, and dividing. This STEAM story introduces addition and subtraction, geometry, and multiplication and division.

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Childrens, Stem

24 pages, Hardcover

Published October 16, 2018

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun STEAM story where children interact with the pages to solve math problems at a picnic. Some of the questions are identifying shapes, picking the kite with the longest tail, counting the right number to stepping stones ove the pond, and sharing an even number of sandwiches with everyone eating. I’m looking forward to reading this with some of my preschoolers, I think they will enjoy the questions and love solving some of these problems.
Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for this e-copy in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

[B.A. Malisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for introducing extremely basic math concepts to early learners. The children in this series follow a trail of clues. Each clue has them practice a different early learning skill, such as counting to find the difference between two sets of items, identifying shapes, determining length (in terms of which thing is longer than the other), and very basic addition skills.

This book is fun and useful, and it would be excellent to use with pre-K in a STEM/STEAM based storytime or classroom setting. It would be easy to pair up with other early learning activities. There's also a section at the end that breaks down each of the activities the children completed, and it explains the concepts behind those, as well as vocabulary, and it includes additional examples and explanations, making this extremely useful in a classroom or class-like setting.

[Steff Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

| Reader Fox Blog |


I picked up The Picnic Problem by Jonathan Litton largely due to the fact that it was labeled as a STEAM book, one meant to promote the learning and understanding of a subject within that particular set of fields. While I'd love to see one that focused on technology, it was still wonderful to see a book that promoted math work and learning for young children in a fun and engaging sort of way. Giving various math problems for the kids to do, from counting to determining shapes, adding, and even multiplication.

I deeply appreciate the purpose of this book and I believe that it accomplishes its goal fairly well. All of the problems are perfect for early learners and the sort of scavenger hunt theme that the story takes on opens up the opportunity to not only find oneself intrigued as to where it will lead but also engaged in solving the mystery. Though the mystery can be quite obvious to those who can infer from the title, I feel like it works well for little kids.

I didn't love the artwork, but it wasn't bad either. While I'm typically a bit more picky, I can see a lot of kids really engaging with the colors and cutesy drawings. It's all very clearly pictured, which is important where the counting pieces are concerned. All in all, I find that this book is a wonderful introduction to math for kiddos and I definitely hope it helps them.

I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Picnic Problem is a new book in the STEAM stories series. Written by children's book author Jonathan Litton and illustrated by Magalí Mansilla, it's 24 pages and full color. Published on Quarto's QEB imprint, it was released 18th Oct 2018 and is available in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats.

I've been a vocal advocate most of my life for STE(A)M education. The earlier we get future generations really fired up about science and technology, the better. Most kids are -avid- explorers and experimenters. For most kids, all we (as adults and educators) need to do is introduce them to the ideas and get out of their way!

This book is engaging, written in fun rhyme with colorful illustrations. It progresses with puzzles that build on one another to find clues and move along to the next step. The book isn't strident, didactic, or preachy and there are good lessons about cooperation, friendliness, and sharing.

This would make a good reading circle, class library, or gift book for young readers.

Four stars. Well presented and appealing.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Suzy’s teacher sends them on a scavenger hunt through the park. They have to answer maths questions and puzzles to get to the picnic their teacher has prepared.

A cute and fun little scavenger hunt with simple questions that little readers can solve along with Max and Suzy. They will have to identify shapes, count, determine which is longest, count by twos and that sets them up to do a simple division problem. In the back of the book are some extra math problems for kids to solve. The book is British-based so math is called maths, and in the back of the book one of the problems involves calculating how many pence you have. Recommended for littles who need some extra math practice or enjoy problem solving challenges.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little challenging book for young readers! I think kids will enjoy solving the math mysteries in this story. All the clues add up to a tasty lunch! The illustrations didn't quite load correctly in my Kindle, but what I could see looked very entertaining. I am sure kids 5 and up will enjoy this tale.

[Julie Huxtable · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good as an overview. In a classroom setting I would probably explore one page a week as the maths is very broad in subject. For example shape is on one page, then it's length on the next. I think it would be better if it explored one theme throughout.

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, loved the math challenges and the explanations of the math at the end. Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up math story book about two children meeting their teacher for a picnic where they have to solve some math problems along the way.

[Mahlodi Matlou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great

[Emily Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great math book to incorporate into the classroom. Children are engaging in basic math concepts that include addition, skip counting, and geometric shapes. This book is filled with strong mathematical vocabulary. It is engaging and interactive for all the student participating. Student feel like they are a detective as well because they are using their own problem-solving skills on each page of this book. I was very surprised at how interactive it was, but I know this is something that young learners will love to do!

[Poongothai · Rating 4 out of 5]

The brother and sister duo solve puzzles in the park. It is like a treasure hunt. Mathematical concepts are explained at the end

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Litton's story of a brother and sister who go on a learning adventure in the local park is very cute. Mansilla's illustrations only make the story better. Along the way, the siblings have to solve math riddles and pick the right path across the pond, find the square, find the longest kite tail, and after meeting up with their math teacher and two other friends, they have to count the number of feet. A lunch picnic waited for all to enjoy. This entertaining story taught math in a fun way and will be loved by young students.

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the STEAM series, which is like STEM, but ads in art, into the usual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

This time, the children are solving puzzles.






The puzzles are progressive, they must solve one puzzle, before solving the next. I think this is so cute, as my mother used to do these type of treasure hunts, where you solve a puzzle, and then go find the next clue.

The pictures are bright and colorful. The math isn't too hard, and there are answers int he back of the book. Would be that all answers, to life, were in the back of the book.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my 3 year old and 8 year old boys. Both were very entertained by the story. My youngest wanted to try to solve the problems on each page because he saw his older brother working to solve the math problem. They were both excited to follow the clues as the story progressed. The illustrations were basic and made it easier for the children to follow along and focus more on problem solving. The best part about this book was my child was doing math and didn’t think it was boring or a chore. The book was also a perfect length which is important when it comes to young children. This book is a great example of how to get kids learning and applying math skills in practical everyday circumstances. Would be a great tool in schools. The ebook was a bit scattered when it came through but I’m assuming that was a glitch it’s the transferring to my device🤷🏼‍♀️ I’d read it again and would read any future books that were similar.

[Shari Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great math storybook to use in the classroom or at home with your little one! The age range I would suggest would be 7 and under. It has many different math topics, including arithmetic and geometry, among others. At the end of the book, the math topics used throughout are explained in depth. This is great for both teachers and parents, who might need a quick refresher or want to explain it to their child further.
This story is about Max and Suzy, who have to go on a mission! They solve clues around the park to find their picnic. I love that the story gives the clues and then let’s the readers try to figure out the answers as well. That is so fun and the kids truly enjoy it!
The text is written clearly and in a way that kids will enjoy solving the mysteries! The illustrations match it perfectly and are very clear. I will recommend to any educator!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

STEAM Stories: The Picnic Problem (Maths)
By Jonathan Litton
This book starts out with a treasure hunt for Max and Suzy by their math teacher Miss Add- It-Up. The first clue begins the challenge of counting and follows with clues requiring identifying shapes, adding, counting by multiples, and dividing. Following the story there are additional math questions to go through with your kids.
I read this book with a 3-year-old and two 7-year olds boys. Because the math problems started so simply but ended with more advanced math all the boys were bored with the book. It was a good idea to introduce all the different ways to use math but it got lost on my boys. I didn't find this book useful as I was hoping.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the STEAM series, this one focuses on "M," math. Simple concepts are taught in this book which has charming and appealing illustrations throughout.

What a way to start the day:

"Three, two, one,

it's time for fun,

a maths picnic awaits...

your first clue is waiting on the gates.

From

Miss Add-It-Up"

Just like that an adventure begins...

Concepts explored in this story include addition and subtraction, shapes and names and multiplication and division. Children can solve the problems along the way and will quickly gain confidence as budding mathematicians. They will also see that Math has many practical applications in daily life, as for example, figuring out how many sandwiches a person gets to eat!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another good entry in a good series.

[RedRobinXXX · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for Jonathan Litton, Quarto Publishing, and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review.
Just the sort of book I would have shared with my kids when they were smaller. It introduces children to simple mathematical concepts while they are helping the characters solve riddles.
Colourful simple illustrations and a lovely short book to share

[Jo]

This is a fun look at maths concepts for young children. With a simple story and bright pictures learning to a picnic there are many puzzling rhymes to solve along the way, with an explanations of the 'solutions' and steps to solve the problems. Introduced in the style of a treasure hunt Max and Suzy head off to a picnic solving challenges along the way. Children can be encouraged to solve the clues before the story progresses and shows them the solutions. The bright colours will quickly engage young children and I would not hesitate to use this story to encourage children to show an interest in maths.

I would definitely consider looking out other titles in this series to use in the classroom.

Many thanks to the publishers for granting me access to an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.