ALA Booklist (Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 1997)

%% This is a multi-book review. SEE the title Divide and Ride for next imprint and review text. %% (Reviewed February 1, 1997)

Horn Book

A young girl collects data and creates charts to determine where her family should go on vacation--Mom and Dad would like 'some rest,' but Grandma and the two kids think 'a fun place would be best.' The simple rhyming story succeeds in showing how math can be used to solve real-life problems. Cheery illustrations accompany the text, and follow-up activities are included. Bib.

Kirkus Reviews

This entry in the MathStart series demonstrates that collecting data and tabulating results can help the decision- making process. A girl with an active, overscheduled family puts math to work to coordinate a family expedition. She uses charts to plot her family's preferences: Should they go far away or remain nearby? Go someplace warm or cold? Have fun or relax? Bring the cat or leave it at home? By tabulating the results the family discovers the majority favors a warm, local, cat-friendly, fun destination (that the family is a democracy is assumed, but then, the goal is math, not civics)—in other words, the backyard. Amiable watercolor illustrations accompany the clumsy rhymes: What about excitement?/We'd like some quiet and some rest./We have such a good time here/that a fun place would be best.'' Two pages of instructions are included for imagination-impaired adults (Ask the child to answer the girl's questions: `How about you? Would you rather take a vacation somewhere warm or cool?' ''). Serviceable fare. (Picture book. 6-11)"

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1--A parade of bugs introduces size relationships in this playful approach to beginning math concepts. Comparisons of big (bigger, biggest) small (smaller, smallest), and long and short are presented by an assortment of cheery insects marching through a colorful environment of flowers and grass. Some of the insects, such as a ladybug, are easily identifiable, while others are more fanciful. A spacious format with large print and brief text gives Keller's expressive creatures lots of space to enliven the concepts. A double-page section of suggested activities for adults to share with children is included. Early childhood teachers and parents will all find this a useful book, and youngsters will be attracted to the lively illustrations. A good choice to pair with Bruce McMillan's Super, Super, Superwords (Lothrop, 1989).--Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ