Blockhead: the life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'agnese

Oftentimes, a book can inspire us to seek more titles on a particular topic. For example, the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series had children seeking more books about the Greek gods. It is really fun as a librarian to help children find those book connections.

Yesterday, I read Blockhead: the life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese; Illustrated by John O'Brien. It is a very brief look, what we call a picture book biography, on how the mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. (1170 ? - 1240?) might have discovered his number pattern known as the Fibonacci Sequence. "Scientists and mathematicians now describe how living things as flowers grow in an orderly, harmonious way. The numbers even pop up in works of human imagination -- buildings, music, art, and poetry."

While reading Blockhead I said to myself, "Isn't there a book that used the Fibonacci Sequence to solve a mystery?"

Can you guess the title? Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. In this first book in a series of three, Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal involving a painting by the famous Dutch painter, Vermeer.

If you still are curious and need some photos to see the number pattern, Growing patterns: Fibonacci numbers in nature by Sarah C. Campbell has beautiful, photographs to show repeats in nature. Sunflowers, snails, and other spirals.

Stop in. We are happy to connect you and your children with some really fabulous books.