Apples not Orples

By R A Stephens & Carmen Dougherty

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

R A Stephens runs publishing house Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, and is the author of the Riz Chester series. 

Apples Not Orples is described as a rule-breaking counting book. It starts with adding up things that are the same, e.g. 4 books and 3 books = 7 books. Then it moves onto 3 bikes and 4 scooters = ?

Using humour and made up words orples, booters and more the text carefully explains and shows how different but perhaps similar objects cannot be added together. Its all about not mixing things up but keeping like objects together.

The whole book is full of sums illlustrating the mathematical concept of like terms used in algebra. The simple and clear explanations, helped enormously by the illustrations of objects and animals are marvellous for teaching young children these basic concepts.

It is algebra for the very young (and maybe not so young) and cleverly explains in a visual way why you can’t mix and match.

This book would be a useful resource in a school or home as its cheerful approach and thoughtful presentation takes the worry out of algebra.

Wombat Books 2024