Bulletin for the Center... - 06/01/2007 Penny, the expressive Boston terrier, is again called into service to explicate a math concept. This time, narrator Lisa, Penny’s owner, is learning probability in math class via the example of jelly beans, showing how events can fall into categories of certainty, likelihood, and impossibility. Now the kids have a weekend homework assignment requiring them to observe and chart these kinds of events as they emerge around them: “Penny WILL want to go on a walk. She MIGHT bark at a squirrel. We CAN’T see a shark.” Explanations are simple and cogent, with the emphasis strongly on situations rather than numerical statements, and Lisa’s assignment is just the kind of exercise listeners might themselves be asked to complete. Although the flat figures and bland colors are definitely notable for utility rather than aesthetics, diagrams and Lisa’s charts and notes assist children in visualizing the problems and tracking the results. Since this title can be expected to see considerable curricular use, the large, group-friendly trim size is an added bonus. EB - Copyright 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2007 Gr 1-4-Lisa's class is studying probability. For homework, she must make predictions about what will, might, and can't happen over the weekend. She must also think of different events with varying chances of happening. Penny, her Boston terrier, helps Lisa visualize the situations needed for the assignment. Leedy's uncluttered, computer-generated artwork matches her clear and orderly text. What Lisa imagines-Penny eating a birthday cake, discovering buried treasure, and inventing a jet pack-appears in thought bubbles with scalloped edges. Penny stands out against the textured pastel backgrounds, and her brown eyes are like marbles. Actual photographs, such as of clothes in a laundry basket where the pet discovers a missing toy and of the vegetables they buy at the farmer's market, are used sparingly and heighten the reality of events that do happen. Readers will remember what they have learned about probability because they have seen a charming Boston terrier in both probable and improbable situations. Librarians will most certainly want this follow-up to Measuring Penny (1998) and Mapping Penny's World (2000, both Holt), which are probably in circulation at this very moment.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2007 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2007 This latest math concept story featuring Penny the Boston terrier tackles a subject more difficult than that presented in Measuring Penny (1998) and Mapping Penny’s World (2000). Lisa’s teacher assigns the class to study probability by writing down predictions, determining results, and recording them. He demonstrates by using (and eating) jellybeans. Choosing Penny as her focal point, Lisa begins to calculate her results: Will Penny want to go for a walk? (Of course.) What mighthappen? (Perhaps she’ll see a squirrel.) What won’t happen? (She won’t see a shark.) Using her familiar not-quite-naive style of illustration, Leedy clearly and cleverly depicts the possibilities and choices in panels and segmented pages that feature Penny in funny poses. The amusing jacket, which pictures the perky dog wearing cool sunglasses and a beaded collar, is an enticing beginning. Prediction: this will work well as a learning device. - Copyright 2007 Booklist.