Accelerated Reader Program Selection
Young Chuan lives with his father in the beautiful palace of a powerful Chinese warlord. As a reward for his cleverness in solving the warlord’s puzzle, Father is given the job of tallying the warlord’s treasure—brilliant jewels, rich brocades, and spices from a thousand lands. Life at the palace is luxurious but filled with so many interruptions Father often loses count! The varying totals lead the suspicious warlord to accuse him of stealing, and Father is about to lose hope. Just in time, Chuan discovers a special use for the warlord’s lovely jade beads—a use that will help Father keep an accurate tally, and cause the warlord to pronounce Chuan as clever as his Father.
Often used by teachers of the primary grades to illustrate the powerful concept of “base ten,” various types of counting frames appeared in China during the Middle Ages. The Warlord’s Beads is a valuable tool for introducing young readers to the wonder of numbers as well as the beauty and mystery of ancient China.
About the Author
Virginia Walton Pilegard wrote The Warlord’s Puzzle as part of a teaching unit that uses informal geometry to strengthen students’ visual learning abilities. Mrs. Pilegard studied elementary mathematics and completed both a BA and MA in Education. She is a resident of Fresno, California. She is also the author of the acclaimed The Warlord’s Puzzle.
About the Illustrator
Nicholas Debon is a French citizen living in Canada. Debon has worked for the visual department in the French Ministry of Culture and the cultural service of the Consulate General of France in Toronto. His first picture book, The Warlord’s Puzzle, debuted at #2 on the BookSense 76 list shortly after publication.
THE WARLORD’S BEADS
By Virginia Walton Pilegard
Illustrated by Nicholas Debon
32 pp. 8 1/2 x 11
31 color illustrations
ISBN: 9781565548633