Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book, Counting

Interest Level: 3 – 6

Summary
Tang uses famous masterpiece paintings and a descriptive six-line rhyming verse to pose a math problem. The left side of each two-page spread displays the painting along with the artist’s name and date of the painting, the rhyming verse and the math problem. Objects from the painting can be grouped and counted in various ways. White Water Lilies by Monet asks the reader to group water lilies, "Try grouping LILIES to make 8, / FOUR smart ways would be just great!"

Analysis
The reproductions are clear and the instructions allow a student to think creatively in grouping familiar objects which are in the style of the artwork. The rhyming verses complement the masterpieces and the objects for counting will be appealing to young readers with their 3-D look. The answers are explained at the end of the book along with illustrations and a short description of the artists style.

Curriculum Connections
This book can be used in a classroom math lesson. Teachers of gifted students could use this book with their younger students.

Similar titles
Grapes of Math by Greg Tang
Math Fabels by Greg Tang