The Great Divide by Suzanne Slade

A few years ago, I was introduced to Suzanne Slade through her animal addition, What's New At The Zoo?  It was an instant hit at our house, especially with a little boy who has a liking for math.  In Slade's newest picture book, The Great Divide, she takes on basic division with the continued theme of animals, but this time focusing on groupings and the cool names that they are referred to.

I personally love Slade's ability to turn math into rhyming fun.  Her wit and unique idea not only create math sentences, making this sometimes difficult subject easier to relate to, but also brings in a scientific topic that even adults can have fun with.  Let me just share one little example from the book . . .

Sixteen busy wallabies - 

moms always on the job. 

Two groups hop away

how many in each mob?

Slade has another number hit!  After reading this one, I am only left wondering why I do not have copies of the other books in the series:  What's the Difference? and Multiply on the Fly.  In the meantime, I look forward to spending time doing the attached activities with my kids, including those in the book and the others found online.

Special Note:  I cannot close this review without also making special mention of the illustrator, Erin E. Hunter.  The illustrations accompanying Slade's story assist in the math learning, but also realistically portray the animals.  The illustrations are in one word:  GORGEOUS!

Assignment:  Test your division knowledge by re-reading the above example and writing the math sentence/equation in the comments!

Thank you to Sylvan Dell Publishing for a complimentary review copy of The Great Divide by Suzanne Slade.  I also recommend reading my previous interview with the author that took place after the release of the first book in the series, What's New At The Zoo? (September 2009).