A Place for Zero: A Math Adventure

My students really enjoyed this book. It was a nice review for them of the addition/subtraction properties of zero, and a fun way to introduce the idea of inifinity, as well as the multiplication property of zero. My fifth graders had a good time with the fabulous illustrations and we talked about the different ideas as the story went on. We even created our own math machine, to study input/output tables.

My second graders LOVED this book! It's so creative. Even though parts of the book discuss multiplication and division, my students still understood it. They want me to read it again!

I use this book with K-2nd graders to introduce the properties of zero in a story-like manner. The illustrations are colorful and bold, the text is appropriate for this age group, and they creatively include all the properties of zero in the story. My only criticism is that unlike outstanding math concept books such as Demi's One Grain of Rice and Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar, it isn't as fun for an adult to read aloud, being a bit forced in areas. This limits the book to a younger age group. But for this age group, it is outstanding, I have read it aloud repeatedly to my own children.