After three young beach-goers measure their sandcastles' features with different-sized shovels, spoons, and footsteps, Larry the Lifeguard demonstrates the importance of using a standard unit of measurement. Crisp, airbrushed acrylic illustrations offer clear, visual reinforcement with one crucial exception: the numbers on Larry's tape measure are too small to read. Related activities and stories are suggested.

<p>PLB 0-06-027613-4 This entry in the MathStart series explores the hazards of measuring in nonstandard units. Eager to win prizes from Larry the lifeguard for the tallest tower, longest wall, and deepest moat, Juan, Sarah, and Laura compare their sand castles; they discover that Sarah's castle is three shovels tall while Juan's is but two, Laura's moat is one spoon deep while Juan's is two, and Laura's wall is five steps long to Sarah's seven. However, as observant viewers will note, Sarah's spoon is longer than Juan's, her shovel and feet shorter. Wielding a tape measure, Larry explains why inches are more reliable units than spoons, etc. People and objects in Gorton's simple air brushed cartoons stand out distinctly against the green ocean and sun-drenched sand, and lines of measurement are laid out for viewers to compare. With the small type activity notes at the end, this makes a pleasant, painless way for children (and dare we say adults?) to pick up some basic math methodology. For those who resist Larry's strict notions, bring out Loreen Leedy's blithe Measuring Penny (p. 270) for a more generous examination of nonstandard measurements. (Picture book. 6-8)</p>

Gr 1-3-Under Larry the Lifeguard's watchful eye, three friends compete to see who can build the tallest sand castle, the deepest moat, and the longest wall. When they start to measure the results, trouble begins because each contestant uses a different nonstandard unit of measurement. Sarah's tower is three shovels tall; Juan's is only two shovels tall, but Sarah's shovel is much smaller than Juan's. And voil -the concept of measurement is aptly and creatively presented. Murphy does a good job of imparting the math lesson while delivering a natural story. Gorton's stylized airbrushed acrylics add a whimsical touch. The multiethnic cast frolics on the beach with energy. The illustrations clearly show the comparisons while the children are measuring and complete the picture of how a moat that's two spoons deep could be more shallow than the moat that is one spoon deep. Pair this with Loreen Leedy's Measuring Penny (Holt, 1998) for a complete picture of measurement and comparison. And remember Larry's advice, "Spoons and shovels and people's feet can all be different sizes,...but an inch is always an inch."-Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.