Matt and Bibi's Adventure in Geometry

Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry

Author: Cindy Neuschwander

Illustrator: Bryan Langdo

Publishing Company: Henry Holt and Company

Copyright Date: 2005

36 pages

Picture Book

I was originally drawn to this book because it was one of the very few math books I was able to find when looking for books to use for this assignment. As I started reading, I was honestly quite shocked by how well this book covered the geometry content its title promised. While reading, I was taken on a journey with Matt and Bibi Zill’s to Egypt. Once the twins arrived at Egypt, they are understandably excited to learn all about pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics. But soon after arriving, they find themselves trapped in a pyramid on their parent’s archaeological site. They soon discover hieroglyphics that cover the tombs walls. Matt and Bibi use their knowledge of the geometric shapes in these hieroglyphics to help them on their way. These hieroglyphics are used guide them on their way throughout the tombs.

The illustrations used in this book beautifully recreate the ancient tombs of Egypt. These depictions were created through the use of watercolors. Langdo places his illustrations on each page; while very few are double-spread. The majority of the text is formally placed above and below these illustrations, while very few pages have text within an illustration.

I would use this book in an older classroom, grades 4-6. This would be a great book for introducing geometric shapes. Matt and Bibi stumble upon several geometric solid shapes including: cones, cylinders, cubes, spheres, pyramids, tetrahedrons, rectangular prisms, and triangular prisms. While reading the story I would have the students identify and name each shape throughout the book. As I read, I would teach about the differences in the faces of the shapes as well as paying special attention to the number of sides each shape has. The second way I would use this book in my classroom is having the students create their own hieroglyphics using solid shapes. I would use this aspect to introduce patterns. Each of the student’s hieroglyphics would need to contain several of the newly introduced solid shapes as well as a pattern. Ideally, the students would be able to create each of their hieroglyphics on butcher paper to simulate an ancient scroll. This book would also be great to use as a social studies lesson. As the students are read this book, they learn a large amount of new vocabulary words from ancient times. I would use this book to teach about Egypt, mummies, hieroglyphics, pyramids, tombs, pharaohs, and burial chambers as they are all discussed within this book.