PPBF – The Reindeer Remainders: A Math Story with Plenty of Heart!

For anyone struggling to explain math concepts to your littles, today’s Perfect Picture Book is just what you need!

Title: The Reindeer Remainders: A Math Story with Plenty of Heart!

Written By: Katey Howes

Illustrated By: Marie Hermansson

Publisher/Date: Sourcebook Kids/2024

Suitable for Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: math, remainders, inclusion, prime numbers, division, SEL, rhyming

Opening:

A dozen reindeer race to school in early morning light, each leaping with excitement for the coming Showcase Night.

“Let’s finish up our projects!”

“Yes!”

They dash across the green.

Deer one through twelve head into class.

But look! What’s this?
THIRTEEN?

Brief Synopsis: When a thirteenth reindeer joins the class, everyone gets a lesson in division, prime numbers, and inclusion.

Links to Resources:

• Check out the Back Matter for information about remainders and prime numbers, and a discussion of what to do when someone is left out;
• Listen to this fun song about prime numbers;
• Use Counting Bears to learn about groups and math concepts;
• Discover more ideas and activities in the Educator’s Guide.

Why I Like this Book:

When my daughters were young, we used counting bears to help them understand basic math concepts, including grouping. Had today’s Perfect Picture Book been available, it would have been our go-to resource instead.

With engaging rhyme and punny text, Howes shows readers why dividing 13 into equal groups doesn’t work. Kids will love the repeated attempts followed by the repeated refrain, “Remain-DEER one?” I love how Howes tweaks the term remainder to create a memorable, kid-friendly math lesson.

But The Reindeer Remainders is not just about math concepts. It’s also a wonderful way to show how we can change groupings or plans to avoid excluding anyone. As the story begins, 12 reindeer easily divide into smaller groups. But when the 13^th reindeer arrives, none of the original groups include all of the reindeer. The reindeer are worried. Dividing into groups becomes tense. It’s clear that no one wants anyone to feel left out. What a terrific way to model empathy. And luckily, with some inspiration from a wise math teacher, the reindeer discover a solution to ensure everyone is included.

Hermannsson’s solution to differentiate 13 fairly identical characters is to dress them in different-colored scarves. She also includes equation-solving on blackboards, including on the adorable endpapers.

Howes and Hermannsson have created a picture book that will be well-loved by teachers, parents, and children.

A Note about Craft:

Howes has taken the concept of show don’t tell to new heights. As the reindeer try multiple times to divide into groups, it will be clear to children why there always is a remainDEER. This repeated play-on-words will, I think, help kids better remember the concepts addressed. Writing in rhyme and present tense keeps the story moving quickly, which will keep kids engaged in the concepts and story.

This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!