About the Author

Author and math teacher Marilyn Burns is noted for her many books that instill an interest and enthusiasm for mathematics into her school-age readers. Her books use traditional and original literature to address mathematical concepts. In addition to her instructive children's books Marilyn is the author of many books for teachers. She has also written books for children about food, time, and Hanukkah. She says that her writing career began as a "fluke" when a friend asked her to write a book about math. This was the jumping off point for her literary career, during which she has written about a dozen books for children and the same number for teachers. She currently gives lectures and lessons in schools. Burns was born in 1941 and resides in Sausalito, CA.

Reviews

Gr 2-4‘Mr. and Mrs. Comfort decide to have a family dinner and invite their children, parents, in-laws, and neighbors. To seat the 32 guests, eight square tables and the appropriate number of chairs are rented and arranged according to a plan devised by Mrs. Comfort. However, as the guests arrive, they rearrange the furniture so they can sit together, resulting in mayhem until Mrs. Comfort's original configuration once again evolves. Subtitled "A Mathematical Story," the focus of this picture book is math concepts, not story. A note for adults suggests exercises in shapes and perimeter. Somewhat humorous, sketchy cartoons are busy and cluttered as guests of various ages and ethnicity rearrange furnishings, table settings, and food. While teachers might find this title useful for conveying math ideas, it is not a necessary purchase for most libraries.‘Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE

Burns (The I Hate Mathematics! Book) inventively turns a family reunion into a lesson on perimeters. Readers can hone their division skills as Mr. Comfort bakes "16 loaves of garlic bread" and rolls "96 meatballs" for the 32 attendees. Meanwhile, Mrs. Comfort perfectly arranges 32 chairs around eight square tables, according to a bird's-eye-view blueprint. Family will be family, however, and as the guests arrive, they elect to sit together, carelessly pushing tables into banquet-style rectangles that won't accommodate all 32 chairs. Tilley's (Riddle-icious) wide-angle illustrations provide a good view of the melée, as visitors rearrange at whim and a harried Mrs. Comfort brandishes her map of the original plan. In an afterword, Burns suggests that adults act as guides to young audiences and use cutout squares to represent the table placement. A wise recommendation if the intention is to teach, but for many the mirthful game of musical chairs may take precedence over perimeters. Ages 7-up. (Sept.)