For Good Measure: The Ways We Say How Much, How Far, How Heavy, How Big, and How Old

For Good Measure: 
The Ways We Say How Much, How Far, How Heavy, How Big, and How Old
Ken Robbins
Flash Point, 2010
48 pp.

With the Common Core requirements sending teachers and librarians scuttling for the information books on the shelves, even picture books about math are become sought after. It's unfortunate that it takes something like the CCSS to bring books like For Good Measure to our attention. This is a really cool concept book all about measurement terms that children will enjoy even if it's not in the context of a math-class-related-informational-text.

Take a look at that gorgeous cover: the photography there is indicative of the quality in the rest of the book as well as the cleverness of the compositions. After all, the familiar refrain about comparing apples to oranges stares us in the face on this cover--and it proves you can compare them. Robbins examines many different units of measurement in this well-designed book and provides very concrete examples for each of them. Students in any elementary school grade will benefit from these comparisons since measurement terms sometimes seem hopelessly abstract. Robbins even gives some historical measurements (i.e. a "span") and tells the origin of many of our terms. The book is clearly laid out and well organized, too.

Look for For Good Measure next time you need to explain measurement terms to a child. And look for it when you need a beautiful and interesting picture book just because! For more math-related picture books, check out the recent math picture book coverage on RedeemedReader. Robbins has created more beautiful photo-essays in picture book form I can't wait to check out.

Recommended for 1st grade and up.

Book from my local library; cover image from Indieboung.org