Blockhead : the life of Fibonacci

This is a wonderful book that tells a short history of Fibonacci and how he came about with his numbers. It relates to the struggles of mathematicians back in the day where they were ridiculed, and also about how people should do what they love in life even if everyone else disagrees. Even though I

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know a lot of math and about Fibonacci, I found I was still interested in this short story, however it is still simple enough where younger kids would still enjoy the book. It was well written and the pictures are cute and work well with the book.

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This is a plausible history of twelth century European mathematician Fibonacci. Illustrations are warm and inviting. The value of this book is its introduction of the history of how the use of math and various counting systems (Roman numerals, Hindu-Arabic) finally converged into a universal

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format. Fibonnaci numbers did become very important to math and to the natural world also(from which it emerged fait accompli). Even with the final appendix page this book would probably not allow a reader to comprehend how these numbers are found in nature and how they are formatted in math. Even so, I think making the complicated history of how the use of number systems developed accessible to young readers and listeners is very important. I would recommend this book to be read aloud at all levels pk-6.
As a biography this is merely plausible because very little information about Fibonnaci is available. But the facts about Roman numerals still being used for commerce in 1200s Italy is accurate. I have also classified this as a specialized book because it refers to a very narrow topic of how Europe transitioned from Roman numerals to Hindu-Arabic numbers. This was important because Roman numerals do not use a zero. It is also specialized because it introduces Fibonnaci number sequences. Because the audience is young, the actual math concepts are only lightly referenced with the main thrust resting on the revelation that our ancestors less than a thousand years ago were not using the number system we take for granted.

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Fibonacci was a math genius. A problem that took some ten minutes to do, he could complete in a matter of seconds. He was not accepted in Italy because he was a daydreamer, dreaming of math and trying to learn new things. His father took him on an expedition, and he discovered that Hindus wrote

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numbers more simply than Roman numerals. He is the man responsible for introducing the Hindu-Arabic numerals in the western world. Instead of writing XVIII, we write 18. I would read this to any math student grades 5 and up to show the importance of numbers and thinking outside the box.

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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.

Blockhead does a great job of teaching young children to persevere despite being teased. In this case Fibonacci was teased for wondering and thinking, something that I believe many children who have an intellectual curiosity can relate to. Although there is a great life lesson in this book, there

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is very little historical fact. Although it is made clear that we know very little about the man who discovered nature’s numbers, it would be nice to have more background. I really believe that this book can be very useful in an elementary classroom.

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This book is a historical and biographical account of Fibonacci, the young boy who thought about numbers and created sequences that would be still thought of today. I really liked the portrayal of Fibonacci as a young child in the book because it can great an inspiration for young mathematicians. I

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call my students mathematicians and to find a character in a book that they can relate to if they are strong at math is an important thing. I would use this book as a part of a blend between social and academic curriculum because it doesn't really teach much about the content of Fibonacci sequences, but rather it teaches that people should do what they love and not let mocking and making fun of deter them away from what they enjoy. Fibonacci is teased about loving numbers and math. This book follows him throughout his journey of finding himself and being happy with who he is. I would use this in my classroom as an introduction to the Fibonacci sequence and as a way of teaching students that they can love whatever they want. It is beautifully illustrated which will help with student engagement and ultimately I believe this book will get your students more interested in math as it relates to their age, and their own exploration of the world around them.

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This well-done book combines math with following your dreams, no matter what names people call you! Cure children's book with lovely illustrations.

Retelling: This book is based on the little we know about the life of Fibonacci. He was responsible for introducing Hindo-Arabic numberals to the western world and and the discovery of the Fibonacci sequence: Numbers that appear again and again in nature.

Thoughts and Feelings: Read this book more

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than once! This book made me want to count things, what a marvelous, romantic tale of numbers. I love the puzzles riddled throughout the book!

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D'Agnese told a very entertaining story about Fibonacci's life. He is a writer and journalist and knows how engage readers. The title of the book, Blockhead is eye-catching to young children. Why would someone be called a blockhead? The inside flap gives a nice short summary of the life of

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Fibonacci. The biography itself is written in story form in Fibonacci's point of view. The author hook readers with the first page. "You can call me blockhead. Everyone else does." The sentences vary in length and has a good rhythm. Each page has more art than text. Every detail of the artwork in the book involves the Fibonacci number pattern.
I would say the reading level is at 2nd or 3rd grade. I like the inset at the end of the book. The language changes into more technical terminology and written in third person, summarizing Fibonacci's life and contributions to math. On the last page of the book, the author challenges readers to re-examine all the artwork and tease out patterns.
I feel the subject matter learned using Fibonacci patterns is for older students, grades 6 and up, not matching the reading level of the book.

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Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese is a picture book biography of the twelfth century mathematician, Fibonacci. His father's work in customs gave Leonardo of Pisa access to the mathematics of east, including the number 0 and the Hindu/Arabic numbers we now use.

Although much isn't

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known of the mathematician's life, D'Agnese uses his work to flush out a possible (but not known for sure) life. John O'Brien's illustrations also bring to life the Fibonacci's study of numbers.

For children interested in mathematics, it's a good introduction to its history and to one of its well known names. It also has a positive message about sticking to one's passion even if teased.

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As a young boy in medieval Italy, Leonardo Fibonacci thought about numbers night and day. He was such a daydreamer that people called him a blockhead. However, when he grows up, he becomes a brilliant mathematician who discovers the Fibonacci sequence

The book is a short biography of the mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. The story is really interesting. As a person who knew nothing of Fibonacci, I feel like I learned a lot more about him after reading the book. The illustrations were also really good.

MATH!!! Many students dreaded subject. This book helps to educate children about a young man who fell in love with math at a young age. Because he had an easier way to figure out problems he was criticized for it and called Blockhead. He traveled Europe in hopes to find all he could about number

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and math. He discovered that nature has presented us with a pattern to which all numbers are based off of. He returns home to show the others what he has found. This book can teach children about how numbers are important in our daily lives. Also that if you have a passion for something then you should follow that passion into something you will love doing all your life.

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I liked this book for the language and illustrations. The language used allows young readers to expand their vocabulary with words like consuming and phrases like "my head was swimming". The illustrations in the book allow even visual learners to have a better understanding of the ideas and thought

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processes that Fibonacci had. The big idea of this book is to teach readers about the life of Leonardo Fibonacci and also to show a different, more abstract way of thinking about the world.

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This book tells a largely imagined story about the childhood of Leonardo Fibonacci, mostly based on his nickname, Bigollo, which can be translated as “idler, dreamer, or lazy person” according to an endnote by the author.

Anyone who has encountered math even briefly may recognize his name,

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because of the famous sequence known as the Fibonacci Sequence. It describes a mathematical pattern that characterizes many natural phenomena, as well as manmade harmonies in music, architecture, poetry and other arts.

The story imagines that Fibonacci must have been bullied as a boy, because his head was always in the clouds, as he pondered about numerical patterns. It also posits his teaching of those patterns to his father’s adviser, Alfredo, so that readers, too, become acquainted with some of his mathematical discoveries, as well as the contributions of Arabs and Hindus to the development of math.

Illustrator John O’Brien is known for his many covers for both Highlights for Kids Magazine and The New Yorker. His ink and watercolor pictures have a pointillist look, and employ a soft but colorful palette.

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A young boy is also being called Blockhead because he "daydreams" all the time. Does he daydream? Or is he thinking and constantly learning. This story takes you on an incredible invention about Fibonacci and the Fibonacci sequence which is still taught in schools today. In the story it is broken

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down with rabbits and can understood more easily than a verbal explanation. I believe this book can be used in any classroom because it covers a diverse range of subjects, such as; math, science, English, and even history.

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In this informal picture-book biography of Leonardo Fibonacci of Pisa - the 12th/13th century mathematician who introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to Europe, and for whom the Fibonacci Numbers were named - Joseph D'Agnese imagines what life might have been like for a young boy and man whose quick

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mind always kept him slightly out-of-step with his peers. Labeled a "blockhead" by a teacher, because his mind would wander in class (as a result of being done with his mathematical problems first!), Leonardo is counseled by his father's advisor, Alfredo, to learn as much as he can about the thing that pleases him most - numbers.

An engaging look at an important figure in the history of mathematics, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci is somewhat speculative in nature (as the author freely acknowledges in his brief afterword), as little is know of Fibonacci's life. Still, D'Agnese takes what is known, and fleshes it out, producing a story that is both informative, with its examination, not just of Fibonacci's life, but of the importance of Hindu-Arabic numerals and the Fibonacci Sequence, and also entertaining. The accompanying artwork by John O'Brien has an interesting textured quality to it, with subtle dots and lines throughout that hold the eye. I don't know that this is so outstanding that I would list it amongst my favorite picture-book biographies - a little too informal and colloquial in tone for my taste - but it is still well worth picking up, for young readers interested in mathematics, or in Fibonacci.

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