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For Good Measure: The Ways We Say How Much, How Far, How Heavy, How Big, How Old
A bushel of facts and fabulous photographs make this 24 Karat informational book shine.
The mile gets its name from the term mille passus, whichmeans “a thousand paces.†The abbreviation for pound (lb.) comes from the Latin libra pondo. Feet, pounds, quarts, miles: these are words we use every day. But where did they originate, and what do they actually mean?
Once again, Ken Robbins takes an everyday subject and, through spectacular photographs and straightforward and entertaining text, makes it come alive.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 8, 2022
Must own! This is a book every family should read!
August 17, 2010
Robbins takes on a huge task in this book, explaining various types of measurement that we use every day. The book is broken down into sections that talk about different units of measurement: length/distance, area, weights, liquid measures and dry capacities, and finally time. The measurements he discusses are those used in the U.S., though he does give a brief discussion of the metric system and includes metric equivalents parenthetically when they apply.
While the curious students could easily find all these different measures elsewhere, it is handy to have them all in this one book illustrated with clear and engaging photographs taken mainly by the author. For each unit of measurement, Robbins gives the definition, e.g. “A foot is twelve inches,” “An inch is one twelfth of a foot;” the metric equivalent; the origin of the word; and often another interesting tidbit of information like “the weight of five quarters in your hand, that’s pretty close to an ounce of weight.” Each measurement also has a color photograph to illustrate it clearly. Though Robbins doesn’t document his information, it is all information that is commonly known and easily verifiable. The book could benefit from the inclusion of charts summarizing all the units of measurement.
The writing is straightforward, but for the amount of information in the book there is little room for more than the basic information. Robbins sticks to the facts and presents them formulaically, which may help lower level readers navigate the information.
This would be an excellent book for early and middle elementary schools. It is a concise resource containing information about all types of measurement, it is easily accessible by a range of readers, and the photographs help illustrate the concepts clearly.
While the curious students could easily find all these different measures elsewhere, it is handy to have them all in this one book illustrated with clear and engaging photographs taken mainly by the author. For each unit of measurement, Robbins gives the definition, e.g. “A foot is twelve inches,” “An inch is one twelfth of a foot;” the metric equivalent; the origin of the word; and often another interesting tidbit of information like “the weight of five quarters in your hand, that’s pretty close to an ounce of weight.” Each measurement also has a color photograph to illustrate it clearly. Though Robbins doesn’t document his information, it is all information that is commonly known and easily verifiable. The book could benefit from the inclusion of charts summarizing all the units of measurement.
The writing is straightforward, but for the amount of information in the book there is little room for more than the basic information. Robbins sticks to the facts and presents them formulaically, which may help lower level readers navigate the information.
This would be an excellent book for early and middle elementary schools. It is a concise resource containing information about all types of measurement, it is easily accessible by a range of readers, and the photographs help illustrate the concepts clearly.
December 3, 2010
The information and photos were interesting, but it was a bit much for casual browsing. This would probably be useful in an elementary school math class.
Most of the pictures are fabulous, but why the selection of the thoroughly unattractive man for all of the human measurements? (Hopefully these are not pictures of Ken Robbins!)
Most of the pictures are fabulous, but why the selection of the thoroughly unattractive man for all of the human measurements? (Hopefully these are not pictures of Ken Robbins!)
August 5, 2013
Kudos to Robbins for writing a book about weights and measures for young children. Unfortunately, it was quite dry and the human-based measurement illustrations were a bit strange. I can see this book being useful in a school setting, but it's not something I want for my home library.
December 13, 2011
BORING! the first few pages were ok, but then it just went ON & ON!
October 22, 2011
For Good Measure is a nonfiction picturebook written for primary readers.
This book defines units of measure and gives a history of what the measure was and is used for, as well as the history of the unit name. Many measurements we use daily have interesting histories.
The book doesn't have characters as it is informational and the author does an excellent job of describing the terms and uses of measures. The photographs used are very well done and add an excellent visual to go with the text. The background of each measure is quite interesting and I learned quite a bit reading this book! We use terms such as "cord" when discussing firewood, but I had no idea why the term was used prior to reading the book.
For Good Measure is an excellent tool for use in an elementary mathematics or science class when discussing measurements or performing experiments.
This book defines units of measure and gives a history of what the measure was and is used for, as well as the history of the unit name. Many measurements we use daily have interesting histories.
The book doesn't have characters as it is informational and the author does an excellent job of describing the terms and uses of measures. The photographs used are very well done and add an excellent visual to go with the text. The background of each measure is quite interesting and I learned quite a bit reading this book! We use terms such as "cord" when discussing firewood, but I had no idea why the term was used prior to reading the book.
For Good Measure is an excellent tool for use in an elementary mathematics or science class when discussing measurements or performing experiments.
April 2, 2015
For Good Measure by, Ken Robbins
This is a book that covers every type of measurement there is. It starts by discussing length and distance, then talks about area, weights, liquid and dry measurement, and ends with explanations of time. There is so much great information incorporated into a colorful and fun book. I even learned some new facts from this one.
I paired this book with...
Ernest The Moose Who Doesn't Fit by, Catherine Rayner
This book is a wonderful primary fiction story about a moose named Ernest who is too big to fit in the book. He really wants to fit in the book and tries everything he can think of to do so. Finally, he cuts, pastes, and adds to the book so that he can fit. This book reminded me of how little kids would think of measurement. Big things, little things, how do things fit? This is why I paired these two books together.
This is a book that covers every type of measurement there is. It starts by discussing length and distance, then talks about area, weights, liquid and dry measurement, and ends with explanations of time. There is so much great information incorporated into a colorful and fun book. I even learned some new facts from this one.
I paired this book with...
Ernest The Moose Who Doesn't Fit by, Catherine Rayner
This book is a wonderful primary fiction story about a moose named Ernest who is too big to fit in the book. He really wants to fit in the book and tries everything he can think of to do so. Finally, he cuts, pastes, and adds to the book so that he can fit. This book reminded me of how little kids would think of measurement. Big things, little things, how do things fit? This is why I paired these two books together.
March 16, 2010
Disclosure: I received this book for free via GoodRead's First Reads.
I'm almost embarrassed, now, to admit that I had no idea that this was a children's book when I requested a copy. Nevertheless, the quick 48 pages offered up some linguistic tidbits even I didn't know. The simple (though informative, and never really condescending) language is complemented very nicely with lush photography that makes it either a worthwhile addition to a child's library or even a worthy coffee table book in more mature settings.
I will certainly keep Ken Robbins in mind if I'm looking for simple, elegant books-- for children or otherwise.
I'm almost embarrassed, now, to admit that I had no idea that this was a children's book when I requested a copy. Nevertheless, the quick 48 pages offered up some linguistic tidbits even I didn't know. The simple (though informative, and never really condescending) language is complemented very nicely with lush photography that makes it either a worthwhile addition to a child's library or even a worthy coffee table book in more mature settings.
I will certainly keep Ken Robbins in mind if I'm looking for simple, elegant books-- for children or otherwise.
April 27, 2010
I was a "First-Reads" winner of this book. The first thing that caught my attention were the beautiful photographs! Great information, this book is full of interesting facts and is great for answering questions from those little, curious minds! My kids immediately loved the crisp, colorful pictures and I felt the layouts were very nice. This would make an awesome coffee table book, but is equally suited for a child's library. (If you can bear to give it up!)
August 14, 2016
For something that's supposed to be so precise, units of measurement can be pretty illogical. Anyone dividing pounds by 16, feet by 12, or figuring out what the heck a peck is will agree. Robbins succinctly explains a variety of measurements and their origins. Clean, uncluttered photos help readers conceptualize what they mean, such as the pictures of a buffalo and a VW Beetle to illustrate how heavy a ton is. Gr. 3-6.
March 26, 2015
Love this book of measurements for young children to grasp the concept of fathom, furlong, league, hectare, section (for those non-farm kids), ounce, pound, dram, carat, drop, cup (for the noncooking students), quart, gallon, peck, pint, bushel, year, day, minute, hour, fortnight, month, and eon. The book is broken up into smaller sections with lengths and distance, weights, area, liquid measures, dry capacities, and time. It helps in showing pictures of relationship to the size or amounts.
December 3, 2019
Could be used for reference in an elementary school classroom. It is frightfully boring to read front-to-back. Measurements are often hard to visualize. And the measurements got too overwhelming. Lastly, most of the photographs are of an atrocious quality: grainy or splotchy or blurry. They remind me of when I try to do something nice with a photograph I took, only to soon realize there's a reason why professional photographers and designers exist. This book suffers for the lack of one.
April 25, 2015
A word geek's treasure trove. I was totally engaged. Example: "A fathom equals six feet... The tip of the right hand to the tip of the left... The Old English word actually meant outstretched arms. When we say we can't fathom something, in a sense we're saying that we can't wrap our arms around it." Awesome.
June 10, 2010
This book revels in the complication of English measures. It defines all the units of measure, explains their origin, and tells how they're used today, accompanied by crystalline photographs. I found it gorgeous and informative. I never knew that both "inch" and "ounce" came from the Latin "uncia," which means one-twelfth.
December 18, 2014
Photographs illustrate a variety of measurements, from common ones like a foot, to more unusual ones, like a fathom (week, fortnigt; teaspoon, drop; pound; stone). Definitions & origins of the unit of measure make for interesting reading.
For elementary age and older (not as much for preschool, though can share several pages rather than the whole book.)
For elementary age and older (not as much for preschool, though can share several pages rather than the whole book.)
August 27, 2014
This picture book describes accurately and concisely historical (not metric) ways of measuring. Including interesting (and short) bits on how the measurements came into effect, and what they originally meant.
October 29, 2010
Historical, cultural, and scientific information about units of measurement. Informative, but not particularly engaging.
February 16, 2014
Great explanations, with both words and pictures, of how we measure the world around us.
August 24, 2013
A great non fiction picture book about measurement and the origins of measurement vocabulary. The photos are fantastic! This book will be used many times throughout the school year.
October 9, 2013
Clear, concise resource to visually show non-metric measurements.
May 26, 2014
I like this book information about different types of measurement that we use to measure things. It is a really helpful book.
October 20, 2015
Extremely factual. Nice photos.
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February 4, 2016An attractive, photographic package that introduces measurement in a visual way that will appeal to children and help them understand the basics of measurement.
November 9, 2017
Very very educational but just a little bit boring. Good in a classroom. Lots of information in one picture book. 14 pounds equals a stone. Always wondered that. Also finally know why a pound is abbreviated lb.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews