Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci

Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci
by Joseph D'Agnese, illustrated by John O'Brien, 2010. New York: Henry Holt and Company. (9780805063059).

Media: pen and watercolor

Author Website: http://www.josephdagnese.com/Welcome.html

Illustrator Website: none

Awards and Honors: Best 2010 Science Books for Kids — Smithsonian Magazine, Best Children’s Books of the Year — Bank Street College, Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens — Capitol Choices, 2011 ALSC Notable Nominee, Best Books for 2010 — Children’s Book Compass

Annotation:
     Leonardo Fibonacci is considered one of the greatest Western
mathematicians, but it wasn't always this way. When he was a kid he
daydreamed about numbers so much that people called him "Blockhead", until he learned that there's nothing stupid about following your passion.

Personal Reaction:
      Leonardo loves numbers and he thinks about them day and night. He daydreams about numbers so much that people begin calling him "Blockhead". Leonardo tries to ignore them and follows the advice of a friend who tells him, "... learn all you can about numbers. That way you will always be happy". This is a story not only about the mathematician known as Leonardo Fibonacci, but also about following your passion regardless of what other people think

     Even though Fibonacci lived almost 900 years ago, Joseph D'Agnese's first-person narrative style makes the story accessible for children and relatable enough that it seems as if it could have happened yesterday. D'Agnese takes what little is known about Fibonacci's life and skillfully pieces it together with a bit of imagination to fortify the tale. It's a kid friendly story filled with dashes of humor- when Leonardo's portly friend encourages him to follow his dreams, he says matter-of-factly, "I think people are happiest when the know what pleases them. Me, I love cheese". In another scene, Leonardo visits the palace of the Holy Roman Emperor who challenges him to solve "a bunch of really hard math problems". When Leonardo quickly completes the problems the Emperor calls Leonardo "one smart cookie". O'Brien's cheerful illustrations are filled with nautilus shells, sunflowers and ferns- all references to Fibonacci's famous pattern.

     Even if you are unfamiliar with Fibonacci and his famous numbers, Blockhead is well-crafted enough to enjoy simply on its own merits. This books would make an excellent addition to an upper elementary school classroom or library.

Curriculum Connection: 5th grade, math.