Sarah C. Campbell, with some help from her husband Richard P. Campbell, has once again taken words and photographs to bring meaning for children to a mathematical and scientific concept in her newest book Infinity: Figuring Out Forever that goes on sale tomorrow, August 30.
Sarah begins by pointing out the challenge of defining and thinking about infinity. She illustrates the difficulty of counting large numbers with pictures of leaves on a tree and swarms of birds. Then she points out that no matter how large a number one can count or think of, there is always one more that can be added. Conversely, an object cut in half can be cut in half again, and again, and again without ever reaching zero. The book itself with its photographs will be fascinating as soon as children begin to learn about numbers. The author’s note at the end will add things for older children and adults who are reading the book aloud to add to their own quandary and understanding of infinity.
This is the fourth book that this duo has written with all of them taking an intriguing look at the world of science and math in nature through their excellent photographs and words of wondering. In case you missed the others, check your local library or independent book store for Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator (2008), Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature (2010), and Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature.