Albee, Sarah. Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn’t. Chris Hsu, Illus. Charlesbridge, 03/2025. [38]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-432-4. GRADES 2–4. ADDITIONAL.
Discover how the number zero (“0”) came to be used, after many centuries of not being needed. Albee traces the history of numbering systems and mathematics around the world, focusing on the concept and use of the numeral zero. Short paragraphs trace this history, broken up by Hsu’s colorful digital illustrations, which turn this otherwise drab subject into something readers can find interesting. Includes several pages of back matter with more explanations and details on the topic. A great combination of informative text with picture book illustrations, which would be easy for any teacher to use in number system or history lessons.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library