You Can Count On Monsters Review & Giveaway

I recently found out about a neat little book that I just know many of you will be interested in hearing more about!  It's called You Can Count On Monsters, by Richard Schwartz, and is essentially about the numbers 1 to 100.  It helps teach children (and adults) about prime and composite numbers, factoring, and multiplication, using fun and colorful pictures of monsters. 

The first part of the book goes through several simple examples explaining things like a factor tree, what prime and composite numbers are, and how the monsters help. 

The example to the left shows 2x3.  The only thing your child really needs to know before reading this book is how to multiply two numbers together.  You can see this page explains how to construct a simple factor tree and dots are used to show the groupings.

The next part of the book goes through each number 1 to 100, using those crazy monsters.  This was of course, my daughter's favorite part.  We actually went through the whole book in one sitting.  She loved trying to figure out why that particular monster was used for his number.  For instance, the monster to the right represents the prime number 2.  Can you tell why?

Here is the prime number 7.  Again, can you figure out why? 

These first two are pretty easy, but they do get a little harder.

I also love how each monster seems to have his own personality.  Some are happy, others wild, and a few are even a little mischievous.

Now check out the composite number 14 below.  Can you tell what two prime numbers are represented?

Some of the monsters can get pretty distorted.  Below is the composite number 56.  You can see on the left that the factor tree breaks the number 56 down to it's prime numbers.  In the picture, you should be able to pick out three 2s and one 7.  Can you?

My Thoughts:  I think this is a great book, especially for the child who is a visual learner.  It teaches a subject that is honestly, quite boring, and makes it fun and easy to learn.  I think the best part about it is that the children are learning about prime numbers and they don't even realize it.

Thoughts of an 8-Year Old:  The book is a good one. It tells about the number tree, which is like a family tree. The "Math Monsters" help with this. I drew the 1, 2, 3, and 5 monsters. They all have something in common about their numbers. For instance, on the number 1 Monster, it has one eye. The monsters are cute. Check out my drawing to the right.

Find Out More:  You can find out more about You Can Count on Monsters from their website and Facebook page.  The book sells on Amazon for only $15.03.  You can also hear more about it on this NPR interview. 

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I will be giving away THREE COPIES of this book, so here's how to enter to win a copy of You Can Count On Monsters!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.  

1. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect 

2. Like Our Homeschool Reviews

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

One random winner will be selected using Random.org on Friday, May 27, 2011. (U.S. Entries only.) If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected. Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile).

Disclosure: This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.