Gentle intro to the concept of division with remainders.

Joe wants to march in the bug army but when the army of 25 is divided into two lines, there is a remainder of one. Joe is forced to leave the marching army so that it looks even. He tries a formation of 3 lines and 4 lines. However, there is still a remainder of one. He finally finds that dividing into 5 lines gives and even marching order.
This is a good book for a math classroom library because it explains the concept of remainders. However, it is for a younger reader or classroom. ( )

As the 25th squadron marched past the Queen she was displeased that the lines were not even. This meant that poor Joe was unable to march alongside his troops. As the days went by, Joe tried to make the lines equal. but each time he continued to be a remainder of one. That was until they made five rows of five. I give this book a 5-star review because it is an easy read for your students. This book also introduces the concept of division. ( )

I found this book to be a cute way to give children a visual representation of division . The story follows Joe, a beetle that is a part of a 25 bug squadron. Each day the bugs file into formation to march for the royalty. The first way the bugs split was into 2 lines of 12 --leaving poor Joe out as a remainder of one. On the second day the bugs slip into 3 rows of 8 leaving Joe out once again. This trend persisted until the day the bugs finally split into 5 rows and Joe was no longer a remainder of one. ( )

Cute. The cadence was a bit off, so the rhymes were a bit off-putting. But the point of the story was to realize the math concepts of multiplication and squares, and that to group 25 items in an orderly fashion, 2x12, 3x8, and 4x6 just won't work but that 5x5 will and isn't that nice.... ( )

This is a very cute book about a bug who marches for the queen. The queen only likes it when her bugs march in even rows with none leftover. Our main character bug works very hard to figure out how to make sure he is included in the 25 marching bugs. This is a book that is perfect to introduce remainders and to explain how arrays can help with representing division. The art work in it is made to appear to be hand drawn, something relatable to children. My favorite part is the happy look on the bugs face when he finally figures out the right number in a row so that he can join and the queen can be happy. ( )

This book would be great to incorporate into a math lesson for students just learning how to divide (4th grade). Students could discuss why his original efforts did not work, and then why it finally did work. Students could also write out the problem using clues from the text.

Joe, a poor little bug, is a part of the Queen’s 25th Army Corps marching infantry. However the Queen demands the rows be tidy and even. Therefore Joe has to stand aside. He is determined to be in line and figures out a way for that to happen. The author creates a fun marching rhythm for students to read as they explore remainders and arrays.

This fun and colorful picture book activates prior knowledge of division and multiplication to start the investigation of remainders. The use of bugs (ants) keeps students engaged and intent on learning. One could read this book aloud with students allowing them to act out the book to help with the concept of remainders and arrays.

Modern Fantasy
Reading Level: 3.5

Pretty cute way to illustrate division to children. ( )

It's good if you are interested in reading a short introductory story about division. Otherwise, it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read. The rhyme scheme was simple, as was the story, but it worked. No complaints. ( )

This book was very good.The author really played with the words and how they pertain to bee life.The kids will have know idea they are learning.The illustrations are very colorful as well. ( )

Awesome pictures...Bonnie Mackain has a unique style.

Joe the bug just wants to march in the parade with his 24 other friends, but the lines are uneven and Joe doesn't fit in. He rearranges the lines from two, three, four and then to five when he gets five bugs in five lines. It's a book about strategy and thinking of other options instead of staying discouraged.

A good book for teaching remainders in math. ( )