- Paperback: 264 pages
- Publisher: Granta Books (4 Sep 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1862073910
- ISBN-13: 978-1862073913
- Product Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 88,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Young Robert's dreams have taken a decided turn for the weird. Instead of falling down holes and such, he's visiting a bizarre magical land of number tricks with the number devil as his host. Starting at one and adding zero and all the rest of the numbers, Robert and the number devil use giant furry calculators, piles of coconuts, and endlessly scrolling paper to introduce basic concepts of numeracy, from interesting number sequences to exponents to matrices. Author Hans Magnus Enzensberger's dry humour and sense of wonder will keep you and your kids entranced while you learn (shhh!) mathematical principles. Who could resist the little red guy who calls prime numbers "prima donnas", irrational numbers "unreasonable", and roots "rutabagas"? Not that the number devil is without his devilish qualities. He loses his temper when Robert looks for the easy way out of a number puzzle or dismisses maths as boring and useless. "What do you expect?" he asks. "I'm the number devil, not Santa Claus." (Ages 10 to adult) --Therese Littleton
Product Description
Twelve year old Robert fears numbers and hates maths. Then, in his dreams, he meets the Number Devil who introduces him to the amazing and magical world of numbers. This international bestseller is an exciting adventure in learning for both adults and children which will do for mathematics what "Sophie's World" did for philosophy.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My 8 year old loves this - she has always had a knack for seeing patterns and methods in numbers. The book has a lot of humour and some good illustrations. However, it is only likely to appeal to a child (or adult) who revels in numbers; it could be useful for teaching or illustrating one or two concepts (e.g. Fibonacci sequences) to classrooms or individual kids who might otherwise struggle to grasp the concepts.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book just by chance and really believe that it's a treasure.
I got it for a student of mine who hates math. He's 12 years old, just like Robert in the story, really active, more interested in any computer game than anything having to have to do with school, generally doesn't understand a lot of mathematical concepts nor the need to study math.
We have begun to read the book together, chapter by chapter, each of us taking one of the parts - sometimes he's the devil and sometimes he's Robert, depending on the mood he's in. We have a lot of fun making up voices for the two characters, and he really pays attention and tries to follow the math concepts. We have a lot of fun screaming out the dialogue and bringing the scenes to life.
He's also fascinated by the illustrations which are captivating and original.
This boy, who would rather play soccer or video games than have anything to do with his studies, now asks to read the book, and is a bit more patient with his homework. I can't tell you what that means as a teacher - to have found something that works so well with a student. The original approach to basic math concepts is also a gem and he's being introduced to sophisticated math skills in a very nonchalant manner.
I strongly recommend trying the book and seeing if your child reacts well to it as well.
I got it for a student of mine who hates math. He's 12 years old, just like Robert in the story, really active, more interested in any computer game than anything having to have to do with school, generally doesn't understand a lot of mathematical concepts nor the need to study math.
We have begun to read the book together, chapter by chapter, each of us taking one of the parts - sometimes he's the devil and sometimes he's Robert, depending on the mood he's in. We have a lot of fun making up voices for the two characters, and he really pays attention and tries to follow the math concepts. We have a lot of fun screaming out the dialogue and bringing the scenes to life.
He's also fascinated by the illustrations which are captivating and original.
This boy, who would rather play soccer or video games than have anything to do with his studies, now asks to read the book, and is a bit more patient with his homework. I can't tell you what that means as a teacher - to have found something that works so well with a student. The original approach to basic math concepts is also a gem and he's being introduced to sophisticated math skills in a very nonchalant manner.
I strongly recommend trying the book and seeing if your child reacts well to it as well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
From year 5 and above this is an absolute golden nugett. It totally engages the young reader while improving reading AND numeracy skills. Originally recommended by a retiring head teacher this book has been under my sons pillow for the last three years as he reads and rereads it. I have recomended it to all my pupils and often bought it as a present - Last one was just today
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Maths can be fun!
This book makes maths fun, even for those little people who believe it to be a laborious trudge through treacle. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Lance Mitchell
A definite hit
My six year old who lives for maths loves this book. It has illustrations and would be great for a child who loves maths, or for a child who is less keen to get their imagination... Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. Cheshire
Helps to inspire
My maths would have flourished earlier if I'd had this as a child. My ten-year old struggles with maths, but this got his interest up to the point where he was trying to explain... Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by fat man on a bicycle
a mathematical adventure
i was recommended this book by a friend for my son who loves numbers
what a book! written in a fun style for people like me who do not get numbers but was a pleasure to read... Read more
what a book! written in a fun style for people like me who do not get numbers but was a pleasure to read... Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2009 by W. maclean
The Number Devil
Brilliant book for those who have problems getting their heads around maths 9 - 13 year olds.
Published on 13 Oct 2009 by Mr. T. Saber
The Number Devil
This is a great book for getting into some tricky maths problems. Pictures excellent and explainations clear, story very well done. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2009 by Mrs. S. F. Faulkner
Number Patterns
In a quick light format different areas of number theory & patterns are illustrated in a child (and parent reader) friendly way. It is a good stop, wonder & think read. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2009 by Just For the Kids!
Rekindled my interest in maths
I was just browsing in my local library when I saw this book, and decided to read it. I was top of my schools at maths, studied it at A-level and did Physics at uni, but hadn't... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2008 by Iain Speed
maths problem
u make 7 out of three prime numbers like this:
2 + 2 + 3 = 7
i haven't read the book but i am tempted to get it now !
peta
2 + 2 + 3 = 7
i haven't read the book but i am tempted to get it now !
peta
Published on 10 Oct 2007 by peta
Not just for those struggling with maths
We were recommended this book for our son, who is gifted in maths and loves number problems and puzzles. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2007 by Ernesto
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