Terrible Times Tables

A Modern Multiplication Primer

Cameron + Company
(pub. 8.6.2019) 
80 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor:  Michelle Markel

 and illustrator: 
                  Merrilee Liddiard
 
C haracters: School Children & The Times Tables

O verview: 

     "Inspired by a Victorian math primer, Terrible Times Tables is a modern take on learning one’s multiplication tables, from numbers 2 to 10, featuring elementary school themes of homeroom, field trips, cafeteria food, holidays, and recitals. Featuring a reluctant narrator and a few unwitting critters, learning math has never been so much fun or amusing.

T antalizing taste: 
     
      "LUNCHTIME

      5 x 1 is 5
      A roach - and it's alive. 
              [illus. of girl carrying lunch tray with big bug]

      5 x 2 is 10
      Mystery meat again.

      5 x 3 is 15
      My nose has grown a bean. 
               [illus of boy with bean stuck in nose]

      5 x 4 is 20
      Don't worry kids, there's plenty.
               [illus of lunch lady]

      5 x 5 is 25
      Never look her in the eye."
      

And something more: Terrible Times Tables falls outside of my usual focus on picture book biographies. But I couldn't resist the fun, humor and creativity of this book (plus the publisher, the wonderful Cameron + Company, also published the picture book I wrote, Boats on the Bay). I asked the author to share something autobiographical about writing this book. Michelle Markel kindly shared her inspiration and the connection to her research for a biography of Randolph Caldecott:

"True confession: I’m not a huge fan of math, so books about it rarely capture my attention. However, several years ago, while researching 19th century children’s literature for a bio of Randolph Caldecott, I came across a Victorian blockbuster called  Marmaduke Multiply’s Merry Method of Making Minor Mathematicians. It consisted of illustrated couplets for each “multiplication fact” - all random, sometimes grim or snarky,  i.e. “6 x 8 is 48/Dear Aunt, your dress is out of date.”).  I loved the mixture of art, poetry, math, and occasional gloominess.  Lights started flashing!  I wanted to use those ingredients for my own version of Marmaduke.  I hope kids have as much fun reading Terrible Times Tables as I had writing it!"