The Metric System

by David A. Adler, Edward Miller (Illustrator)

Think metric! A fun illustrated primer on the internationally recognized metric system for kids.

Used in almost every country in the world, the metric system is an easy-to-use way of calculating length, distance, weight, and volume. Look at the label of a soft drink. You'll see both ounces and milliliters or gallons and liters listed. For kids who love to interact with their environment and measure and build things, knowledge of the metric system is a must.

Filled with do-it-yourself activities, bright illustrations, and valuable kid-friendly information on how to convert inches into centimeters, pounds into kilograms, and much more, this latest from trusted STEM creators David A. Adler and Edward Miller will have kids thinking in metric in no time. Each book includes a ruler with metric and imperial measurements that can be cut out from the jacket flaps.

David A. Adler and Edward Miller have collaborated on over 10 math books for children, many of which have received praise from educators and starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal .

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2022

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kasey Giard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, straightforward book that briefly discusses the history of the metric system and how different types of quantities are measured with the system. The Metric System shows weight, liquid measurements and length or distance measurements as well as how to convert to and from feet, miles, pounds, or ounces into Metric measurements.

It’s a super quick read, and the text encourages kids to follow directions to make a ruler and a box to practice measurements and better understand the concepts. It seems like a great pick to have in a classroom library for a teacher or homeschool family.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The metric system is often confounding to even American adults. Adler has done his best to make using the Metric System more accessible for children. The book walks through using the Metric System for measuring length, distance, weight, and volume using examples, small digestible facts, and invitations to explore further. I like the variety of explanations, bright cheerful illustrations, and activity ideas. A solid introduction to the Metric System for elementary schoolers.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars This book blew my mind and explained things I understood, but didn't really understand. Go to England and have to figure our Liters of Gas (Petrol) or the KPM (MPH) on the free way in Toronto Canada. Or when someone is going to run a 5k race.

This book is a lesson I wish I had in elementary school. I might have understood things better
It is clearly spelled out and has some great hands on projects for measuring in English Standard and Metric.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book for teaching kids the metric system. While reading I was getting flashbacks from dimensional analysis problems, but the book did a good job explaining in simple terms metric units compared to the US system for weight/mass, length, and volume. For me, the text on the page felt a little messy and hard to follow at times, but the book’s overall organization and look were great! Definitely would recommend this book to students interested in math and measurements.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn't make it as clear as I would have liked. Probably because I am already bad at measurements. I can do about an inch, maybe a foot (more like 6 feet), 10 yards (thanks football!) and I know a meter is about 10 yards. That is how I figure out big animals are in nature documentaries. It is one meter long, great that animals is 10 yards big.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the metric system vs. the English system for children! (And adults who have struggled their whole life to completely understand how the metric system works!)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great direct information, a little repetitive.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.