Infinity: Figuring Out Forever

by Sarah C Campbell (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

What is infinity? Explore this fascinating and complex math concept and its purpose in our world in this picture book that both demystifies and explains. Perfect for kids who grew up on Baby University books like Quantum Physics for Babies.

Defining infinity is difficult. But there is one thing people do every day that leads to infinity--counting. No matter what large number you name, there is always a larger number. By reading this book, kids can begin to think about this and other powerful ideas involving infinity, including how infinity relates to rocket science. Featuring clear text and beautiful photographs, this is an excellent choice for kids who want to delve deeper into math and science and for those ready to look at the world in a new way.

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Hardcover
$17.99

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ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
[T]he authors take a complex abstraction and make it accessible to young readers through non-technical descriptions, relatable examples, and full color, original photos that effectively reinforce the text... Like the authors' previous titles, this current work offers solid math along with reassuring encouragement. This attractive offering will enhance STEAM collections and spark curiosity and conversation among young readers.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--An attempt to teach a complex concept to elementary age children in lay terms with photographic assistance to aid understanding. While Campbell breaks down infinity as a measure of endlessness in relation to mathematics and science with numerous examples, a lot of jargon prevents it from becoming accessible. She explains that infinity is not a single moment, but an idea. This philosophical understanding of infinity may be unfamiliar to some. The example of counting may help children process the concept partially, but they may not be able to differentiate between the two capacities of "big" and "endless." Although there is a wealth of paratextual elements that provide more details on infinity, specifically the author's note and a word problem, rather than comprehending the concept of infinity, children may be left more confused. This also raises a loaded question for young developing minds: can infinity simply be "figured out"? VERDICT A picture book that may serve as an introduction to infinity for upper elementary children, but its simple structure will limit its usefulness for middle graders.--Paige Pagan

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Bank Street Cook Prize Silver Medalist
Bank Street Best Book of the Year
Eureka! Nonfiction Silver Honor Award (California Reading Association)
Finalist, Bank Street College of Education Cook Prize
Texas Library Association Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List

"Sarah C. Campbell does a grand job of not only saying what infinity is, but also makes it clear what infinity is not...it establishes infinity's importance for the younger readers and it does so admirably. A necessary purchase for libraries!" —Betsy Bird, Fuse 8 blog, School Library Journal

Sarah C Campbell
Sarah C. Campbell creates picture books with facts and photographs. Her latest book, Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature, explains a simple number pattern and explores the ways it shows up in nature. Her first book, Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator was named a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book and an ALSC Notable Children's Book. She partners with her husband, Richard, to take the photographs for her books. They live with their three sons in Jackson, MS. Visit sarahccampbell.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781629798752
Lexile Measure
870
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Astra Young Readers
Publication date
August 30, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF013030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Concepts | Counting & Numbers
JNF051140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Physics
JNF035040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Mathematics | Fractions
Library of Congress categories
Mathematics
Infinite

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