"Double the numbers
to get from one to one
million in 40 pages!
A remarkable visualization
of numbers big and small."
Let's start with 1 ... 1 green circle sitting atop 1 short brown triangle. A turn of the page shows the number 2 on the verso facing overlapping green circles on 2 triangles. Add 2 apples to each tree and you have 4, then 4 more apples fallen from the tree in autumn and you have 8, and so on. Turning page by page to 16, 32, 64. 128. 256. 512, 1,024. The numbers become more and more astronomical as doubling the numbers continues. That does nothing to lessen the visual appeal of this unusual and outstanding book.
From 1 to more than a million in just over 40 pages: that is the opportunity that presents itself to those who read this book from start to finish. As the numbers get bigger, the dots get smaller. On the final page, they can barely be seen. Someone did the research and gave this report:
"At one number per second — with no breaks, at all, for any reason — it would take 11 days, 13 hours, 46 minutes, and 40 seconds to count from one to 1,000,000."
I will leave it to those who can do the math to suggest that particular statistic. It would be impossible to count each and every dot shown on the final foldout panorama as the book ends, assuming you have the time or the inclination to even try it!
All will be in awe when the book is done! Though meant for young readers, it is sure to find fans of all ages. The graphic illustrations are the perfect means for presenting such an idea. What an imaginative and fascinating undertaking.
A Million Dots was named to the NYT Best Illustrated Children's Books list for 2019. Well done, Mr.Volker.
No comments:
Post a Comment