One Hundred Hungry Ants

One Hundred Hungry Ants
by Elinor J. Pinczes

One Hundred Hungry Ants, written by Elinor J. Pinczes and illustrated by Bonnie MacKain, is a children's picture book first published in 1993. The story revolves around a hundred ants who are eager to reach a picnic filled with delicious food. However, their journey is hindered by their continuous attempts to reorganize themselves into different formations to travel faster.

The narrative begins with the ants marching in a single line, but one small ant suggests that they could move more quickly if they divide into multiple rows. This leads to various configurations: first into two rows of fifty, then four rows of twenty-five, and so on, ultimately forming ten rows of ten. Each attempt at reorganization delays their arrival at the picnic, resulting in their disappointment when they finally reach the site only to find that all the food has been taken by other animals like mice and squirrels.

The book cleverly integrates mathematical concepts such as division and multiplication into its storyline. As the ants change formations, readers can visually grasp how grouping works and how it relates to division. This makes it a valuable resource for teaching young children about these concepts in a fun and engaging way. The repetitive rhyming text encourages participation and retention among young readers, making it suitable for ages 4 to 7.

MacKain's illustrations complement the text beautifully, characterized by vibrant colors and dynamic lines that depict the ants' personalities and movements. The artwork resembles linoleum cuts, adding a unique visual appeal that enhances the storytelling experience.

Overall, One Hundred Hungry Ants is not only an entertaining tale but also serves as an effective educational tool that introduces foundational math concepts through a delightful narrative.

Author: Elinor J. Pinczes

Elinor J. Pinczes, born in 1940, is an American author celebrated for her children's literature, especially educational books that teach mathematical concepts. Her debut, One Hundred Hungry Ants (1993), combines storytelling with lessons on division and multiplication, making it popular among educators. She also wrote A Remainder of One, using playful language and rhymes to simplify math for young readers. Pinczes's books are widely used in schools, enhancing math education by blending learning with engaging narratives. Her work has significantly influenced how mathematics is taught to children.

Book Details:

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Trade)
Format: Paperback
Print length: 32 pages
Dimensions: 21.59 x 0.53 x 27.94 cm
Reading age: 6-8 years old
Publication date: 27 Sept. 1999
ISBN: 978-0395971239

Read alongside these topics:

Place Value: Two

How does One Hundred Hungry Ants help with understanding place value?

Understanding Place Value with One Hundred Hungry Ants

One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes is an engaging picture book that helps children understand place value through the story of a colony of 100 ants heading to a picnic. The book illustrates how 100 can be broken down into different combinations of groups, providing a visual representation of place value concepts.

Grouping 100 into Tens and Ones

As the ants march in a single line, the littlest ant suggests they reorganize into two rows of 50 ants each. This demonstrates how 100 can be composed of two groups of 50, or 5 groups of 20 when they later form four rows of 25 ants each.

The most significant grouping is when the ants form ten rows of ten ants each. This visual representation shows how 100 is made up of 10 groups of 10, or 1 group of 100. This helps children grasp the concept of place value and how the digit in the ones place represents individual units, while the digit in the tens place represents groups of 10.

Relating to Multiplication and Division

As the ants reorganize, children can see the connections between multiplication and division. For example, when the ants form two rows of 50, the multiplication sentence "2 x 50 = 100" can be written. Similarly, when they form ten rows of 10, "10 x 10 = 100" is demonstrated.

This story provides a meaningful context for children to practice their multiplication and division skills while also learning about place value. The repetitive rhyming text and engaging illustrations make it an enjoyable read for young learners.

In conclusion, One Hundred Hungry Ants is an excellent resource for introducing and reinforcing place value concepts in a fun and accessible way. By breaking down 100 into various groupings, children can develop a deeper understanding of how numbers are composed and the relationship between ones, tens, and hundreds.