Inchworm and a Half: A Charming Math Tale About Fractions and Measuring for Kids

by Elinor J. Pinczes, Randall Enos (Illustrator)

What’s a fraction? A puzzled inchworm finds out when she enlists the aid of H-inch, N-inch, and G-inch worms in her quest to measure all the vegetables in their garden. New lengths bring new fractions to conquer, but the clever worms prove equal to every challenge, triumphantly munching their way through this tasty tale of math and measuring.

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Childrens, 1st Grade, Fiction, Gardening

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2001

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Not so strong.

[Maki]

A very detailed measurement book for inches, half inches and quarter inches. I would recommend this book for gr.2 and older.

[Paiton Larson]

This book follows an inchworm who likes to measure his vegetables before he eats them. The inchworm finds out that he doesn't fit evenly on some of them. The 1/2 inchworm comes along to save the day and together they begin to measure more vegetables. However, they soon realize there are sections of vegetables left over that the 1/2 inchworm is too small to measure. That's when the 1/3 inchworm enters the group. The three of them begin measuring vegetables, finding 2 1/3 inch veggies along the way. Suddenly, there is a vegetable with a small section leftover that the 1/2 and 1/3 inchworms can't fit on to. The 1/4 inchworm saves the day and helps make it possible to measure all the vegetables. This books illustrations and words explain to children that fractions are a part of one whole.

I can definitely see myself using this book to help my students understand fractions.

[Jordan]

This story is about the concept of measuring - so of course the main character is an inchworm. I think this story would be a bit confusing for younger students who don't yet understand the concept of measuring, but I do think it would be fun to use when reviewing or finishing up the unit with older students. Though the illustrations are not mathematically accurate, they are clear, and drawn to scale. I liked how the baby inchworm was used to compare 1in to .5in. I think that is a good comparison to use with kids.

[Debra]

I was liking this spunky little inch worm and friend half-inch worm, but when 1/3 inch stepped in I started hyperventilating. Who measures 1/3 inch? My ruler is based on 1/16,1/8, 1/4, and 1/2. The whole thing is now fractions and not about measuring. Don't get me started on why in the world the US did not convert to metric in the 70's. Life would be so much easier. But I digress. I did not find this very useful, unless you start cutting vegetables into equal pieces. Have fun with that. I will stick with the larger plastic manipulates for fractions and the rulers for measuring.

[Kendra]

I love finding different type of books to read. Not only is it helping my kids see all the different type of books but also helps them find books that they like. The illustrations in this book are simple as they only use a few colors throughout the whole book. Though this book would be best for upper elementary when they work on measurement rather then preschoolers. Cassie still enjoyed the book but some of the terms were a little over head. But it's a great book to introduce measurement to all kids. I recommend checking it out.

[Marisa]

"Inchworm and a Half" is a great book for students. This book goes into detail about fractions. The character illustrated is an inchworm who likes to measure his vegetables before eating them. By doing this he discovers that he doesn't always fit evenly on them and describes the fraction used.

[Jennifer]

This could be a fun book to read to elementary school kids learning fractions, but it's way too much for my story times here at the library.

[Shai Feuer]

Easy rhyming picture books about basic fractions. Cute inchworms measuring garden vegetables!

[Jamie Bye]

Inchworm and a Half is a great book to introduce students to fractions! It follows an inchworm who likes to measure his vegetables before he eats them. He soon discovers that he doesn't fit evenly on some of them. The 1/2 inchworm comes along to save the day and together they begin to measure more vegetables. However, they soon realize there are sections of vegetables left over that the 1/2 inchworm is too small to measure. That's when the 1/3 inchworm enters the group. The three of them begin measuring vegetables, finding 2 1/3 inch veggies along the way. Suddenly, there is a vegetable with a small section leftover that the 1/2 and 1/3 inchworms can't fit on to. The 1/4 inchworm saves the day and helps make it possible to measure all the vegetables. This books illustrations and words explain to children that fractions are a part of one whole. The story is also entertaining to help keep children engaged. I loved this book and will definitely utilize it in my classroom when teaching fractions.

[Sharon]

A perplexed inchworm enlists the aid of 1/2 inch, 1/3 inch and 1/4 inch worms in her journey to measure all the vegetables in the garden. This book is ideal to allow students to make inferences as new lengths throughout the story bring new fractions to conquer but the clever worm rises up to each challenge in this cute tale of math and of measuring. This is a great introductory book to use prior to allowing students to perhaps go on a quest of their own throughout the classroom to similarly measure items such as pencils, desks, their arms, etc.

[Dolly]

This is an entertaining story about measurement and helps to show what fractions of an inch are and what they can do. The rhyming, lyrical narrative and the beautiful woodcut illustrations complement each other nicely and I love that children will learn a little about measuring by listening to or reading this story. We've enjoyed reading the math-based books by Elinor J. Pinczes and really enjoyed reading this book together. We will certainly look for more of her books at our local library.

[Tahya Bruce]

This was a very good informational teaching book about mathematics. I would definitely recommend this book for kids who are just starting to learn about fractions. I would recommend this for a parents or even a teacher. A teacher could read this book to her kids before starting a lesson on fractions. This little book would definitely help kids and the illustrations in the book I believe are very interesting and quite good. It will help the kids picture fractions better and have fun while doing it.

[Judy]

Often we teach the concept of fractions using foods such as pizza or groups of food items such as cupcakes or cookies. This book dealt with fractions of an inch- used in measurement. Not really clearly explained but a good introduction.

[Cheryl]

Cute concept and simple, colorful illustrations. Some of the rhymes were fun to say "Squirmy, wormy, hoopity-hoop! I measure everything, loopity loop;"

Could be useful as part of an introduction to the idea of fractions.

[Jane]

I would use this book to teach students about fraction and measurement. This book includes many rhymes along with the math story. I think this book can be a helpful source to integrate math and literature. I would let children to measure vegetables along with reading.

[Jasmine]

This is a great book that incoporates measurement and fractions into the story. I would use this book in my class before starting the measurement unit or getting half way through the unit. I would also pull hands on activities out of this book page by page.

[Japonika Finch]

I would use this book when working with measurements. This book is about the unit of measurement known as the inch. This book relates to every day life and is a unique way to learn about measurement.

[Mallory White]

fantastic visual book to introduce what can be a hard concept to some. Great for introducing measurement or a reinforcer of measurement for your struggling readers. It talks about measuring vegetables and introduces fractions. Students will learn about a half inch (1/2) and a quarter inch (1/4).

[Summer Price]

Great for reviewing fractions in a 'read-aloud' setting

[Jacqueline]

Great book to introduce the concept of fractions

[Linda Costello]

measurement and fractions! Love it!!! Great for use with model of fractions using inches... measurement model of fractions.

[Sandra]

I think this is a great read before teaching fractions. It is a great way to introduce fractions.

[Auttumn C]

Nice math book on begginers measuring!

[Theresa]

a math curricular add in talking about messurement and fractions

[Kelly]

Lots of great adjectives, rhyming words. Can be used for science and math. Lots of measuring (other bugs, vegetables in the garden). Some fraction problems.

[Timothy Cockburn]

learning measurement in different incriments.

[Terri]

I got this many moons ago at the old Houghton Mifflin book sale. It's a great way to introduce a young kid to fractions.

[Sarah]

This book is great for
-3rd grade: when introducing measurement
-Great for emphasizing half inch and quarter inch

[Nicole]

A very cute book about the journey one inch worm took to understand how to measure things with fractions. Great for use with measurement and fractions.

Ages 4-8.