About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts asking those tricky 'why' questions about the world around them, specifically regarding how we measure things like time, weight, and distance. It is an ideal choice for the child who thrives on logic and wants to understand the origins of everyday standards. Through clear photography and engaging historical anecdotes, Ken Robbins transforms abstract mathematical concepts into tangible realities. The book explores the fascinating history behind units like the 'foot' or the 'hand,' grounding math in the physical human experience. It is perfect for children aged 7 to 10 who are transitioning from basic counting to more complex scientific inquiry. By showing that measurements were created by people to solve real problems, it builds a sense of confidence and curiosity about the structured world. It is a wonderful tool for fostering a sense of accomplishment as children learn to 'speak' the language of science and history.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The book is entirely secular and focuses on the historical and scientific evolution of measurement standards.
Ideal Reader
A second or third grader who loves facts more than fiction. This is for the child who enjoys organizing their toy collection by size or who wants to know exactly how much a 'pinch' of salt is while helping in the kitchen.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. Parents might want to have a ruler or measuring tape handy to allow the child to test the units described in the text as they read. The parent likely heard their child ask, 'Who decided how long an inch is?' or saw their child struggling to understand why we need different units for different things.
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