Reviews

Fibonacci Zoo


The Seattle Times - July 2015

For ages 5-8: Eli decides to record how many animals he sees so he can figure out what makes the Fibonacci Zoo different from most others. As he and his dad roam the park, he discovers a pattern: adding any two numbers in order gives the next number of animals. This means a very large exhibit with 21 hippos! The picture book includes facts on number patterns, spirals and Fibonacci sequences in nature. Robinson lives in Chelan

Children's Literature

Large text and color illustrations make this educationally entertaining book appropriate for young readers. Mathematical sequences are shown as the story progresses. The back of the book has educational and fun activities among them a number pattern quiz, using Fibonacci numbers in nature, and matching pictures of animals to its description; some of these are also illustrated.
-Tina Chan, for Children's Literature

Science Books & Films - January 2016

SB&F Best Books for 2016 selection

"The story provides an interesting context for uncovering the sequence, the pictures are appealing, and the numerical representations on each page are excellent. As the pattern emerges, the numerals appear in a text box at the bottom of each page, together with an expression that shows the sum of the previous two numbers. The target audience is 5 to 9 year-olds, and the content is presented in an approachable and engaging way for this audience."

Midwest Book Review - July 2015

"Fibonacci Zoo" is an unusual zoo picture book that effortlessly introduces the math concept of number patterns in sequences...Like other Arbordale teaching books, "Fibonacci Zoo" ends with four additional pages of creative learning games, including Number Patterns, Fibonacci Numbers in Nature, Golden Spiral, and Animal Matching, plus intriguing sidebars of information titled Fibonacci and you. Joyous colored illustrations make the fantastic Fibonacci Zoo a reality for kids to bounce through, making learning about math fun and easy, for grades K-3."

Kids Book Buzz - August 2015

"This was a short book about a boy going to the zoo with his father. The boy looks at a different animal on each page. He takes a notebook along and keeps track of how many animals of each kind that he sees. He starts to see a pattern and is able to guess how many of the next animal he will see. I really like math so I thought this book was interesting. It is not a very exciting book though, just a book to teach about what Fibonacci means. My younger brother was also able to figure out the pattern and guess how many animals would be next. I really liked how the math was written out in the illustrations. I think that helped to figure out the pattern so quickly. The pictures are colorful but I don’t think any zoo would be able to keep 21 hippos. In the back of the book, there are extra pages with additional information about finding Fibonacci sequences in the real world. There is also an animal matching page. I think this is a good book for kids that are in kindergarten or first grade."

Reviewed by Adam, Age 7

Heck of a Bunch - May 2015

"Fibonacci Zoo is a book that tells of a boy and his father who visit a zoo and see a variety of animals. The boy notices a pattern between the number of animals in the zoo. He takes note of it on paper. The boy soon catches on to what the pattern is and begins to figure out how many animals he'll come across next. The book is educational, and tells about number patterns in a fascinating way. It's a world where animals and numbers come together."

Conny Withay - May 2015

"What makes this book fun is not only the math concept of patterns, but also the informational data at the back of the book for older readers regarding the Fibonacci sequence and its discoverer, Leonardo Pisano. Any child will enjoy looking at the colorful drawings while counting and adding up numbers to reach the patterned answers."

Feathered Quill Book Reviews - June 2015

"This is an excellent book to introduce young students to numbers and patterns. The visual imagery presented in this book will make it easy for students to understand and grasp Fibonacci sequencing. Simply introducing mathematical concepts sans a way for children to visualize them can be a daunting task for many. In addition to Eli's notebook there are small sidebars with the equations and sequence (2 + 3 = 5 and 1 1 2 3 5). The artwork is very vibrant and appealing, drawing one's eye to the animals. In the back of the book there are four pages of activities as well as free complementary activities on the publisher's website."

Chat with Vera - June 2015

"Arbordale Publishing has again combined education with entertainment. Author Tom Robinson has taken the mathematical concept of Fibonacci sequencing and applied it simplistically in a story where a young boy and his father visit a zoo. As they visit the various animal displays, Eli (the boy) notices that there is a pattern. Each display's number of animals increases and that increase is predictable by adding the number of the previous two displays. He has basically discovered the concept of Fibonacci sequencing."

Outnumbered 3-1 - June 2015

"This book is absolutely fantastic at teaching the basics of Fibonacci's sequence to younger kids. So well laid out and with the perfect illustrations to accompany it. My oldest has always had a thing for math and she thinks this book is "so cool I can't believe I'm learning this."

So Cal City Kids - October 2015

I love this one! When my son was younger, I know that he would have loved this book. It is a must-read for K-3rd grade and is a great way to learn about Fibonacci Number in Nature and I love that there is also a teaching guide on the Arbordale Publishing website.

Bob Walch Reviews - June 2016

Frankly I had never heard of Fibonacci or number patterns until I came across this book. For teachers and parents who wish to introduce this concept to children this book is a good way to begin. By using animals found at a zoo the author combines the idea he is presenting with something the young reader should be able to relate to. Be sure to check out the activity pages that apply the idea to other areas of study.

Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Books - August 2016

Need a simple concept book to teach patterns or Fibonacci numbers? This is it! Eli and his dad are on the way to a special zoo, a Fibonacci zoo, but Eli doesn’t know what will be special about it. He takes a notepad with him and writes about what he sees -- perfect model for math journaling. Realistic, colorful art gives plenty of picture clues for young readers including insets showing Eli’s notes and numbers. The first cage has one alligator, the second has two bison, the third has two camels, and so on. Once Eli sees eight flamingoes, he has that “ah-ha” moment and begins to predict how many animals he will see in the next exhibit. Readers are invited to make their own prediction at the last exhibit. Four pages at the end of the book delve deeper into sequences, patterns in nature, and a matching mapping challenge that will help readers understand where to find the habitats of some of the animals in the book. The folded end flaps of this paperback will give it a longer shelf life than most, and the 48 page online teaching activities and quizzes will provide educators with a full unit of study.