Chickens on the Move

April 15, 2002
Gr. 1-2. When Grandpa arrives with three chickens and 24 feet of flexible fencing, Tom, Gordon, and Anne make a narrow rectangular chicken coop (3 + 9 + 3 + 9 = 24) beside the house. The chickens keep the family awake, so they move the fencing to make a new coop (4 + 8 + 4 + 8 = 24) by Grandpa's garden. Because watering the garden is impossible without splashing the chickens, they make a triangular coop (8 + 8 + 8 = 24) by the garage. The last page offers a perimeter chart and challenges readers to decide if all six figures shown have the same perimeter measurement. Math teachers will be pleased with the book's clear illustration of perimeter, while children will simply enjoy the jovial cast of capable kids. The simple text is enhanced by the colorful and often comical artwork, which features some amusing close-ups of alarmed, distressed, and quizzical chickens. Another winner from the Math Matters series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)