Zero the Hero (edition 2012)

by Joan Holub (Author), Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

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317	56	82,567	(3.94)	1

pataustin's review

At first, Zero believes he is a hero but the counting numbers, one to nine, prove otherwise. Personified numerals with whimsical asides and humorous banter in speech bubbles give readers much to think about: the way people behave and the way numbers behave. Add 0 to one, “Still the one,” quips 1. Same difference with subtraction. When Zero shares the multiplication rule that any number times zero is zero, the other numbers high tail it. That makes Zero realize he’s not a hero: who would scare off would-be friends? “His confidence shaken,” he heads for “infinity or oblivion” whichever comes first. Only then do the counting numbers realize that they can’t add up to much without Zero. When Roman numerals invade and threaten a takeover, Zero reappears and vanquishes them. Zero is indeed a hero – in everyone’s eyes. With visual puns, heroes and villains, the stuff of high drama, and math rules to boot, this clever picture book rates a ten (only possible with zero, of course). Turn this text into reader’s theater for a delightful exploration of the value of zero. (

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pataustin | Feb 20, 2016 |

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This is a charming novel about Zero who believes himself to be a hero. The other number do not think Zero is important when it comes to adding or subtracting, however they become scared of Zero when they make the discovery that any number multiplied by Zero is Zero. They then see Zero as a villain and so does Zero. Zero spends some time alone while the other numbers reflect on Zero and realize without him, they can't make the number 10. Roman Numerals come to attack the other numbers while Zero is away. Zero hears their cries for help and saves them, just like a true hero. Everyone cheers Zero on and is glad to be his friend. This is a great book that will help students learn about math, friendship, and the importance of being yourself. This is great for primary readers.

Faith.Burnett. | Mar 14, 2021 |

This book is perfect for teaching students about the importance of zero, but it also teaches an invaluable lesson about bullying. In this story, 0 is often left out because it holds no value like the other numbers. Zero then leaves due to the bullying but returns to save the day when Roman Numerals attack. This book addresses zero's role in addition, multiplication, and place holder. (

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mpl013 | Nov 18, 2020 |

Zero is seen as nothing to the other numbers but as the book goes on, they realize they all would be lost without zero. The author does a great job of presenting math concepts in a fun and interactive way for students. He characterizes all of the numbers and helps the reader understand what zero is, what it does, and why it is important in math, A very fun and useful book for math lessons. (

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BobbieHenriques | Apr 27, 2020 |

This book is a well-illustrated book about the number zero, what it is, how it can be used, and why it's important. I rate this book 4 stars because it is fun, colorful, and not just an average book that explains a concept. The author makes the characters, which are numbers, engage in conversation that helps the reader gain an insight on why we use zero. I think this book can be a good, informative read for students that may struggle with place value. (

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Brianna_Henry | Mar 30, 2020 |

"Unlike most numbers, zero believed himself to be a hero. He just needed a chance to prove it." Zero is trying to discover who he is and what helps him feel like he amounts to something. He can't do the things that the other numbers do and he laments that he doesn't fit in. Even when zero plays on a team he counts for nothing. When he is added to the mix, all that amounts is the other number that was part of the team. It's a clever concept with many puns, but I did not find it that entertaining or cohesive. The book literally asked, "am I boring you? Hellooo?" and I had to answer, yes. There were too many jokes and too little plot with far too much.

This could be popular as a read to self book with older children in second grade or so to appreciate the humor. Zero has to go missing for the other numbers to appreciate the role that he holds in the world of numbers. The plot takes the reader through addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as games that the numbers all participate in. (

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fsgiamba | May 5, 2019 |

This book helps the students understand that the number 0, does have value when placed next to other numbers however alone it may not mean anything. (

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noorkazmi | Apr 25, 2019 |

Similar to "Infinity and Me", "Zero the Hero" takes the concept of zero and makes it fun, and even a little humorous. I think that it is crucial to teach children about important terms and concepts by being relatable and imaginative. Making connections is very important in building math schema. In "Zero the Hero", the author connected numbers to a storyline and even includes a nice touch by incorporating roman numerals. (

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aferrara | Apr 21, 2019 |

This is a great math and literacy text that is relevant across many grade levels.

c.henry | Nov 19, 2018 |

Zero the Hero reminds me of reading a comic book. I enjoyed reading this book as it explains how zero can be used in math. I felt bad for zero when he wasn't accepted by the other numbers 1-9. This book shows us addition, subtraction and multiplication. I enjoyed the part with multiplication because zero finally cancels out a number. The numbers 1-9 didn't like that so they ran away from him. Zero felt horrible; he just wanted his friends to like him. 1-9 started missing him and a little while later they were captured by Roman numerals and the numbers 1-9 needed help so 0 saved them by showing the roman numerals he can make things disappear. This is a good read, that would help a lot of children with addition, subtraction, and even multiplication. (

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Erneka | Sep 15, 2018 |

"Zero the Hero" told a great story all the while teaching about adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying with the number zero. There are so many number puns in this book that made me laugh out loud and also made me think! It shows the other numbers' feelings about zero and how they can use him in the tens place to make new numbers. It gives great visuals about adding, subtracting, and multiplying. When numbers 1-9 get captured by the "Roman Numerals" it's zero to the rescue as he demonstrates how multiplying himself by anything makes it disappear! I thought this book was cute, creative, and educational. (

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owaguespack | Sep 9, 2018 |

Zero feels left out: he's not a counting number, he's mistaken for various circular objects like a bagel or the letter O, and he's invisible when it comes to addition and subtraction. One day, zero discovers through multiplication he has the power to make other numbers disappear. Ashamed, he "heads for infinity." In his absence, the other numbers realize how much they miss zero, in fact, they need him to solve problems and round off. Before they know it, the numbers are attacked by a troop of Roman Numerals! Zero sees their call for help and zooms to the rescue, saving the numbers and becoming Zero the Hero, which fills him with j0y. This is an adorable and clever story, with plenty of speech bubbles that will have children laughing hysterically. Math concepts covered include counting, rounding, addition/subtraction/multiplication/division involving zero, place value, and Roman numerals. (

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HSunseri | Sep 9, 2018 |

Genre: fiction
Zero believes he is a hero but no one else believes him. He slowly loses that confidence when he starts doing math (multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction) and everyone runs away from them because he makes them disappear. But, the Roman Numeral soldiers take over the numbers and Zero the Hero swoops in and saves his friends.
I could use this to talk about numbers and roman numerals. I could also use to to talk about addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. (

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mckennalandry | Aug 29, 2018 |

This book would be awesome to use when teaching kids how zero works when it comes to math. It is engaging and has some really good jokes that will keep them entertained but also educate them on how zero works in various ways

Brittany_Seyl | Aug 26, 2018 |

Here is the thing. I think kids will really have a understanding of what zero is, and get a concept after reading this book. I also think it can help with the addition and multiplication confusion often made when adding or multiplying zero. My problem came in with calling the other numbers his “friends” as they for surely weren't. and that once zero disappears, I think that this book can maybe cause some confusion with place values. Zero at one point is missing from the “ones” place, and while putting him there makes 10, the spot is still empty, and one IS in the 10s place (the is 1 10) so 1 10 is still represented there. A lot of early confusion with math is just looking at each number after 9 as a memorization and that leads to misconceptions when learning to add and multiply. Apart from that I thought their incorporation of roman numerals was really interesting.

Jadelinyang | Jun 5, 2018 |

This was a wonderful introduction to the concept of zero, which may be difficult for children to grasp. Some cultures don't even recognize zero as a number in their system. This book is chock full of wonderful number puns that make it incredibly engaging. I love the cute illustrations and the placement of the words, like when zero felt a hole in himself, the words were placed within the open space of the zero. The use of space is phenomenal. This book uses addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with the concept of zero. I loved it and think it would promote the growth of love for math in any child. (

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JodieWaits | Apr 17, 2018 |

Summary: this picture/math book is about the number 0 and how sad he feels since 0 doesn't get to do anything when it comes to math problems.

Classroom use: I am always looking for more books about math so I will be adding this to my classroom library to promote math in literacy! (

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ayatsexton | Mar 18, 2018 |

This counting book was really neat. It exposes children to roman numerals, and their correlating standard number. I like Zero as the main character because he shows children that you are special, and you are meant for something. (

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KrystalKeroack | Mar 15, 2018 |

it is a useful book for children in math. The Arabic number in this book can all talk, which makes it be a fantasy book. It gives a story that the zero number is so different from other numbers in math, so he was isolated from others. However, he finally rescued other numbers based on his unique function in math. This book can be used to inspires students' interests towards math. (

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ShiYaoyu | Feb 18, 2018 |

It was about the number zero and how he is left out of things in his life. The other numbers (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) don't think he belongs and is worth nothing, literally because he is not a counting number. But he is secretly a super hero and saves people from being endanger. The other numbers get themselves into danger and zero comes to recuse them. They in the end realize they needed zero after all.

beccaholtz | Jan 26, 2018 |

Zero thinks that he is a hero, but the other numbers think that he is worthless. When the other numbers were in trouble with roman numerals zero saved the day and scared the roman numerals away. (

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allisonmeyer | Jan 23, 2018 |

Zero feels useless and like an outsider when playing with the other numbers. He does nothing when you add, subtract, multiply, or divide him. Although in the end Zero turns out to be a hero when it comes to place value!

jwendy | Dec 2, 2017 |

Zero the Hero is a funny book that talks about how zero is used in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These are beginning concepts for young readers

eburger | Aug 7, 2017 |

K-3 Mathematics
Addition
Subtraction
Division
Multiplication
Place Value
Roman Numerals

Use Parts or All of it to teach your objective. (

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Jessica_Diaz | Jul 19, 2017 |

This book tells the story of the number 0 and how little he is appreciated by numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9. It begins with zero trying to become a superhero however all of the other numbers are there to remind him that in most mathematical operations he is useless and only lives in the shadows of other numbers. Eventually zero runs away because he feels the other numbers lives would be better off without him. The other numbers then realize how much they need zero but before they can tell him, they are captured by roman numerals. Zero then comes to their rescue and scares away the roman numerals with his powers of nothingness and all of the numbers live in harmony. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I felt genuine emotions of sadness and empathy for the number zero consistently throughout the book. I felt it was extremely creative and an education way for students to understand math a little better. Overall this would be a fantastic book to read to a classroom of students. (

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cejones4 | Apr 26, 2017 |

The book is about what all the other numbers think of Zero. He doesn't add anything in addition. He's of no use in division. Moreover, it doesn't even ask what he does in multiplication. (Hint: Poof!) But Zero knows he's worth a lot, and when the other numbers get into trouble, he swoops in to prove that his talents are innumerable. It is a amazing book with white background with wonderful pictures and word.

hildaalcaraz | Mar 18, 2017 |

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