Maddie's birthday party and the house is a mess! Toys are everywhere, even in the bathroom. Dad helps carry heavy things up to her room, while Maddie gathers the rest. But it's up to Maddie to put everything away. As Jumbo the cat and Teenie the dog watch, she turns into "Mighty Maddie," a caped super-hero able to sort toys in a flash by how much they weigh. The fire truck is heavy, but the ballerina tutu is light, and the feather tiara is even lighter. Sometimes things that are big, such as pillows, are lighter than things that are small, such as books. Will Maddie manage to get everything stashed away neatly in time for the party? And why is Jumbo smiling and Teenie's tail wagging? Understanding that the weight of an object is not always dependent on size—mass—is an important measurement. Illustrated by Bernice Lum.
DC Standard 4.3, Measurement: Children use a variety of non-standard and standard tools to measure and use appropriate language terms to describe size, length, weight, and volume.
Before reading the story, discuss weights. Point out that a large object can weigh less than a small object. Have your child or each of your students hold a pillow in one hand and a can of soup in the other and compare the different weights.
Show your child or class two objects (for example, a stuffed animal and a block) and ask them to guess which of the two is heavier. Ask them to explain the answer, then have each child pick up the objects to check to find out whether the guess was right.
Help your child make a cape with his or her name on the back, then act out the part of "Mighty Maddie," cape and all, and clean the child's bedroom. While picking up toys and clothes, talk about which ones are heavy and which are light.
Aimed at children in grades pre-K to about second grade, this wonderful book is about a little girl who compares heavy objects and light objects while she cleans her room. The detailed illustrations are very colorful and the type is large. The comparisons and objects are described well.
I read the book to my second-grade students and they loved it. They all rated it as a good book but thought it would be better suited for K-1. When we later discussed comparisons and weights in class, the children referred to the book.
I recommend this book to any primary teacher who wants a fun way to compare weights.
Shasta Union Elementary School, Shasta CA
As part of the "MathStart" series, this book introduces the concept of light and heavy through the dynamic main character, Maddie. Maddie is asked to pick up her toys in preparation for her birthday party. Her father offers to help with the heavy things, while Maddie is responsible for the light objects. Objects are presented for comparison and the words light and heavy are used on every page. These words may be used for sight word work for those readers ready for such lessons. Maddie realizes that large objects are not always heavy objects and that similar objects may differ considerably in weight. Maddie must pick up her room by herself and at a super-hero pace. Donning her cape, she races to finish before guests arrive. The colorful and somewhat comical illustrations match the spirit of the main character. Resources with related concepts are listed in the back of the book, as well as extension activities for parents and children. This series assigns a level to each book, depending upon the complexity of the concept presented. This particular book is considered to be a "Level One," out of a possible three.
—Andrea Sears Andrews
Used with permission from Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, www.childrenslit.com
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