Infinity and Me
1 Hardcover/1 CD (see all formats)

"A small girl, Uma, ponders infinity while gazing at stars, “How many stars were in the sky? A million? A billion? Maybe the number was as big as infinity.” Uma proceeds to ask friends and family how they conceive of infinity. They define it in quantities of numbers, time, music, ancestors—even spaghetti! Finally, she settles on her own measure of infinity, quantified in something that is personal and boundless. Narrator Nancy Wu is accompanied by a full cast of characters, music, and sound effects that complement the text and the book’s full-bleed, painted illustrations by Gabi Swiatkowska. Background sound effects include a bicycle bell, the “tinkling” of stars, chattering voices, and churning gears. A sense of wonder is embodied in Wu’s narration, the illustrations, and the overall production. The audiobook contains two tracks, one with page turn signals and one without. VERDICT This is an intriguing introduction to a mathematical concept, perfect for those seeking to inspire very young people to wonder about math and science".

"Nancy Wu expresses the youth, verve, and mercurial feelings of Uma as she wonders at the number of stars in the huge, cold sky. Gabi Swiatkowska's illustrations show the small girl dwarfed by the celestial immensity she is just beginning to appreciate. Uma begins a quest to discover what infinity is by asking peers and elders their views. Wu's narration blends beautifully with story's sound effects and musical accents, and she successfully differentiates characters. In particular, she measures Uma's growing confusion and frustration as her wish to understand becomes more emotional than intellectual. Uma triumphs in the end, determining a stance on infinity that comforts her, and Wu voices her satisfaction. The author reads an afterword that includes quotes given and read by young children. Together, the audio and print book encourage curiosity and discussion."