The Token Gift

by Hugh William McKibbon

Book Overview

Based on a mathematical riddle, this Persian legend explores the Indian origins of a game of battlefield strategy similar to today's chess. Inspired by his grandfather's many army stories, young Mohan... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550374982
• ISBN13: 9781550374988
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Annick Press, Limited
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.3" x 10.5"
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5

Customer Reviews

Lucious illustrations for a straightforward fairytale

The story is fairly straightforward and well told. The illustrations that accompany it are amazing.

Challenging and Interesting: A Gift, indeed!

This book for young readers will also intrigue their parents and teachers. Though it is listed as being primarily for readers aged 4-8, I believe it is better suited for intellectually active readers between the ages of 8 and 14.The Token Gift sets up an old legend, based on the origin of chess, but overlays a mathematical conundrum long used by math teachers who aim to give their students a glimpse of the mystery and magic of numbers. The background of the narrative, with its historical information, is sumptuous. The illustrations, while a little too explicitly "ethnic" for my taste, add to the culturally rich tale, with original paintings in rich, jewel-like colours.This story can be read on a variety of levels, and appreciated by adults and children alike. The mathematical charts are seen to fit comfortably into the story line, so the resulting learning is without tension. It is a book which includes a good story line, has a built-in puzzle which will intrigue those with a capacity for being astonished by numbers. There is a bit of a moral lesson embedded in the plot, which also describes a former time and a far-away place where ideas are flourishing. The Token Gift may be used by teachers, by thoughtful parents, and by young people who are intrigued by and hungry for new ways to look at mathematics, social studies, moral education and cross-cultural studies. It is truly educative. I hope that McKibbon will publish more stories of the same genre. There is a real need for books which intrigue and challenge young people.