That's a Possibility!: A Book about What Might Happen

Goldstone builds on his mini-oeuvre of math-themed picture books (following Great Estimations and Greater Estimations) by placing the study of probability in a playful, real-world context. Starting with basic concepts of possibility, certainty, and impossibility ("Will an elephant hatch from this egg? That's impossible!"), he stages highly specific situations in photographic and digital illustrations. "Will this butterfly land on one of the purple flowers?" he asks. "That's probable. Can you see why?" (Spiky purple thistles dwarf and outnumber two yellow flowers, helping readers make the connection.) Goldstone slowly builds complexity, using dice and cards to examine odds and scenarios with a great many possible outcomes. A smart intro to a pivotal math concept. Ages 7-10. (June)

K-Gr 4--As he did in Great Estimations (Holt, 2006), Goldstone takes a mathematical concept and makes it easily understandable for children and great fun as well. Using a question/answer format, he explains possibility, impossibility, probability, improbability, and certainty. Each concept is accompanied by photographs that are not only sharp and clear, but that also employ colors that make the pictures really pop. Varying sizes and fonts add interest, and the subjects that Goldstone has chosen to illustrate the concepts have a great deal of child appeal. The pages featuring combinations have adorable Squidgy the Bear dressed in the 100 outfits made possible by his possessing 10 shirts and 10 pairs of pants. It's "bearly possible" to predict which outfit he will wear because of the 1 in 100 odds. This book will be a boon to teachers working with these concepts, and it will attract browsers as well. A first purchase.--Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Praise for "100 Ways to Celebrate 100 Days"

"A more clever collection of 100 ideas is hard to imagine. A must-have for schools celebrating this special day." —"School Library Journal"

Praise for "Greater Estimations"

"With an appealing layout that lends itself equally well to browsing or curriculum support, this lively book would be an excellent addition." —"School Library Journal"

Praise for "Great Estimations"

"A model of how to do it right." —"The New York Times Book Review"