ALA Booklist (Wed Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 1995)

From the author and illustrator of One Hundred Hungry Ants (1993), here's another picture book rooted in mathematics--the rhyming tale of a bug named Joe. When the 25th Army Corps of beetles proudly marches past their queen in two rows, her majesty insists that Private Joe, marching alone at the back, drop out to make the rows come out even. The next day the squadron in three rows, and the next, in four, but each day Joe is distressed to be marching alone, a remainder of one. All ends well when the bugs go marching five by five: Good show!' said her grace.Your rows are divine. / We see no remainder to ruin your line.' Using bold lines reminiscent of those in linocut prints, the colorful artwork uses visual rhythm as effectively as the verse uses meter and rhyme to punctuate the marching tempo of the text. Young children who get to know Joe's ragged regiment will understand the concept of remainders before anyone mentions long division in the classroom. With its sympathetic main character, bouncing verses, and expressive, comical illustrations, this makes an entertaining choice to read aloud. (Reviewed Mar. 1, 1995)

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1995)

A squadron of twenty-five bugs parades first in two rows, then three, and then four, always leaving poor Joe as a remainder of one and displeasing the queen. Joe does not give up, though, and he is finally included when the bugs march in five rows. The rhyming story, with its jaunty illustrations, provides an entertaining math lesson.

Kirkus Reviews

With a lively rhyme matched by its antic, woodcut-like illustrations, this book introduces children to the concept of division and remainders. Joe the ant wants to march in the Queen's parade, but is left out as the 25 ants in his squadron are divided into lines of two, three, and four. Finally, Joe divides the ants into five perfect lines, with no remainder, and can march past the Queen. MacKain's use of color and vibrating line keeps things moving, and this is a fun introduction to a basic mathematical precept, but it may be premature. Most children won't actually study the subject until well after they've outgrown the appeal of this book. (Picture book. 4-7)"

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--As they did in One Hundred Hungry Ants (Houghton, 1993), Pinczes and MacKain present a mathematical concept through rhyming text and simple illustrations. Here, an army of insects is planning a parade, but each formation that the squadron comes up with for its 25 members--two lines of twelve, three of eight, four of six--leaves Joe Bug standing alone, a remainder of one. After much cogitation, Joe finally comes up with the solution: five lines of five. The rhyming has an old-fashioned tone reminiscent of Peter Newell's books. MacKain's blue bugs are large, friendly looking, and anthropomorphic. The queen has blonde curls. This will provide a fine accompaniment to a math lesson on division. Children will identify with Joe's predicament--being left out again and again--and will certainly have a clearer understanding of remainders after reading this story.--Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ