How many Jelly Beans? A Giant Book of Giant Numbers by Andrea Menotti, illustrated by Yancey Labat. Chronicle Books, 2012. ISBN 978-1-4521-0206-1
Summary: This exploration of ever-increasing numbers begins when Emma and Aiden's mother asks them how many jelly beans they would like to have. Beginning with ten, the children decide that they need more and more, until they reach a very large number that requires a jumbo fold-out spread to show all the jelly beans that figure represents.
In a clever visual aid, each number that the children consider is accompanied by an illustration which shows that exact number of colorful jelly beans. This graphic representation allows children to comprehend the quantities represented by numerals. As the jelly beans multiply, their quantities are shown in comparison to the children, household items, and even a tall building.
Will the children reach an agreement on how many jelly beans is enough? Will their dog ever get to eat any? Can you ever have too many jelly beans? Menotti's mathematical work has the answers.
Critical Evaluation: Quantity and how it is represented by numbers can be a difficult concept to master for many young mathematicians. By providing a visual representation of how many jelly beans are required to equal certain numbers, children will quickly grasp the true amount that each numeral equals.
Labat's choice of illustrating the children, dog, and other items in the surrounding environment in mostly black and white allows the jewel-toned jelly beans to really stand out. For the numbers up to one thousand, the jelly beans are also spaced nicely to better allow counting by determined youngsters.
Age or Interest Level: Ages 4 to 7
Lexile Level: ---
Awards: 2013 Cook Prize for the best STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) picture book from Bank Street College of Education.
Why Included? This is a wonderful way to introduce large numbers to children using one of their favorite things: candy. School librarians and teachers could utilize this work in a unit on quantities, and as a springboard for activities involving physical representations of numerical concepts.