Squares

Christy Conte is a member of the Parents Advisory Committee at the
YMCA’s Parent and Child Enrichment Centre and a journalist.

Catherine Sheldrick Ross brings squares to life in this delightful book,
which is chock-full of activities, projects, puzzles, and stories.
Designed for youngsters 9 to 14, Squares illustrates all the necessary
mathematical principles through an effective multidisciplinary approach.
Instead of using a formula to show the remarkable effect of doubled
numbers, Ross tells the story of the Shah of Persia, who, according to
legend, sought to reward the inventor of the game of chess with anything
he desired. The man asked for one grain of wheat on the first square of
the chess board, twice as much on the second, twice as much again on the
third, and so on. By the time they reached the 31st square, and much to
the Shah’s chagrin, the Shah would owe the man more than a billion
grains of wheat. Square concepts in architecture, urban planning, art,
and language are also creatively explained using magic tricks, legends,
games, and easy-to-construct projects.

Bill Slavin’s ample illustrations are clear and colorful, and add
greatly to the book’s overall concept. Puzzle answers, a glossary, and
a comprehensive index add to its usefulness. Highly recommended.