Resource Fair Assignment – Children’s Literature

Math in Children’s Literature

Name / Title: Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi

Author / Illustrator: Cindy Neuschwander / Wayne Geehan

ISBN-13: 9781570911644
Citation:
Neuschwander, C. (1999). Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi. Watertown, MA:
Charlesbridge.

Age / Grade: Grade 5-6, ages 10-12 (junior level)

Math Topics:
 Number Sense and Numeration: understanding quantity relationships with sizes and
number of fractional parts, proportions, and patterns in math
 Counting: counting the parts that make up a whole
 Geometry and Spatial Sense: understanding 2D shapes
 Measurement: constructing and understanding the dimensions of circles (circumference,
perimeter, area, radius, diameter) and introducing the concept of pi (π ¿ (which is more
formally used and implemented in grade 7&8)
Subject Integration:
  This book can have a connection to Ontario’s Social Studies / History Curriculum
through the setting of the story being in a historically Medieval era (early societies,
historical perspective, etc.)
 There is also a notable use / manipulation of language and word plays in the name of
characters and the progression of plot that promotes literacy and math together. There is
an element of poetry included called “The Circle’s Measure” that uses rhyming as a way
to give clues to the solution the main character is looking for
 Additionally, there could be an artistic element drawn from this story as students could
use their knowledge of circles to create patterns or representations of circular shapes in
pieces of visual art
Math Connections:
 This book has a direct connection to math as it deliberately requires the concepts of math
to solve the problematic situation in the plot of the story
 All the characters in the story are named using real mathematical concepts and properties
that relate to geometry or measurement
 The illustrations show the visual representation of circles in everyday life and methods of
measurement with both standard and non-standard units (ex: a measuring tape vs. strips
of pastry for a pie)
 At the end of the book, there is an explanation of the standard of pi ( π ¿ and its
mathematical value / origin
Synopsis: Radius, son of Sir Cumference, must discover a way to transform his father back into
his human form after he drank a potion that turned him into a dragon. Radius finds a curative
potion with a riddle called “The Circle’s Measure” that he must follow in order to discover the
correct dose that will save his father. He ventures within the castle, examining various sizes and
dimensions of circles that other characters are interacting with and through measuring, he is able
to conclude that the distance around a circle is always 3 1/7 times the distance across a circle.
Radius tests his measurements with trails of circular objects to verify his answer. As the knights
in the castle plot to kill the dragon, Radius and his mother measure the dragon’s body in its
circular form and Radius scoops three and a seventh spoonfuls of the curative potion into the
dragon’s mouth. Sir Cumference successfully transforms back into human form and they
celebrate with pies to commemorate Radius’ discovery of pi (π ¿.
Rationale: I was initially drawn to this book since the story is very kid-friendly and the main
character, Radius, is using exploratory and hands-on mathematical methods to solve the riddle of
the potion. I did enjoy looking through the illustrations which include lots of colour, shapes, and
diagrams showing how the patterns of a circle are true regardless of the size of the circle with
actual measurements. Additionally, this text encourages auditory appeal through the play on
words and the representations of the characters that keeps readers intrigued and makes the
connections between fictional plot and math application obvious. I felt a genuine element of
adventure through the reading of the text and would have enjoyed reading this text when I first
encountered the topic of measurement and geometry with circles in elementary school.
Particularly connected with the measurement unit, this book supports an effective math learning
experience through evoking curiosity, the use of manipulatives, explanation of patterns, and the
application of the solution in the junior grades. The reservations I would have about the book
would be its relevance and accuracy as it was originally published in 1999 and the implied
understanding of the readers to the connections between ideas such as the names of the
characters. In other words, this book would be a good resource during the introductory stages of
understanding for students (used at the beginning of a math lesson to introduce terms) that would
need to be solidified and talked about in detail through further explanation and application.
Rating: I would give this book a 5/5-star rating because it is a great way to prepare junior
students for the application of math concepts they will use in intermediate grades. The story
creates a playful and exploratory atmosphere for establishing relationships between intertwined
math concepts that will resonate with students not only in the classroom, but throughout
everyday life.