Reviews

Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese, John O'Brien

mnstucki's review against another edition

4.0

So interesting! I knew basically nothing about fibonacci besides the name and the principle behind the number sequence.

sandiasando's review against another edition

3.0

I read this book to my boys (ages 11, 9, and 7). Although its a lovely book to look at, it was frustrating that one of the main take aways after reading was how people called Fibonacci names and bullied him. It distracted from the story and it was all my one son remembered. He didn't like how much Fibonacci was getting picked on.

votrikhon's review against another edition

4.0

Fibonacci was a lucky guy when he has Alfredo, a friend encouraged him when he was upset.
He found out a numbers string used in nature, flower petals, pine cone.
He also tried to introduce Arabic number system to others when they just used Roman numbers.

alysona's review against another edition

4.0

Attention math teachers- better get this and start up some lesson plans, aided by some suggestions for activities in the back! Very interesting about Fibonacci's life and his curiosity. The math concepts are clearly presented and the illustrations really contribute to the fun of the book.

beecheralyson's review against another edition

4.0

An engaging story to explain Fibonacci's number theory. Nice illustrations. Want to see how children respond to this one.

5elementknitr's review against another edition

4.0

Lovely artwork, wonderful biography, and at the end...... a scavenger hunt!

abigailbat's review against another edition

4.0

This picture book, narrated in the first person, imagines the life of Leonardo Fibonacci, the medieval mathematician who promoted the use of Hindu/Arabic numerals and observed and wrote about the Fibonacci sequence. The illustrations pair nicely with the text and include many examples of the Fibonacci spiral. This is an accessible introduction to the mathematician.

More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/07/blockhead-life-of-fibonacci-revise-me.html

brizreading's review against another edition

4.0

Wonderful. Italian! Math! Renaissance (well, ish)! What's not to love. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

10_4tina's review against another edition

4.0

I like that this book encourages a willingness to fail and pushes children to chase their curiosities.

What do you love most?
Numbers
Then learn all you can about numbers!

I love math and children's books and historical contexts so this was a win on all counts.

wordnerd153's review against another edition

2.0

I like the idea behind this book and the illustrations were lovely, but I can't imagine any student reading this independently and it would make a fairly dull read aloud. Many kids may be confused by the fact that Fibonacci gets reassurance from a ghost. Could be used in a math class to introduce Fibonacci.