Title: We Will Solve It
Author: Lillian Beaulieu Gibbs
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64908-494-1
Genre: Children’s Education / Math
Pages: 64
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
Author Lillian Beaulieu Gibbs has taken her three decades worth of experience teaching youngsters, and cleverly assembled a sequence of presenting mathematics in a simple and straightforward way. We Will Solve It shows children how to multiply numbers from 0 to 12, with clever tricks along the way.
In each of the lessons, a table of multiplication is shown to the reader; then the answers are removed and the question is asked to the reader, can you fill in the answers? Then another lesson is shown with a slightly different layout to reinforce the learning process once again. Next, the book lesson moves onto the next digit, and follows the same routine of teaching.
Along with the workbook, the author has an accompanying CD sold separately with audible lessons designed to further reinforce the learning process. Although these lessons are simple for adults, they may be a bit challenging to youngsters, although certain remarks throughout the book are designed to ease the stress children may develop; again, this is a quality of Gibbs’ years of experience as she puts the readers at ease. Graphic drawings of other children are interleaved throughout the book to make it seem as if the readers are not working alone, and have friends doing it with them.
As readers are instructed to exercise the tables of multiplication, they are reminded to use two methods shown by the author: the EP (Easy Pattern) and the CTM (Commit To Memory) methods. These “tricks” are powerful tools having the youngsters “double-check” their answers.
With the combination of multiplication tables shown with answers, then the formulars left blank for children to fill-in, then a second area to once again fill-in answers, along with some graphics, We Will Solve It achieves exactly what the title sets off to do – solving it together, hence the “We.” The book ends with a way to provide feedback if desired.
We Will Solve It is a book which would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any family library, not as a storybook for bedtime, but as a workbook for when kids want to put their brains to work, to memorize, learn, and exercise their ability to multiply. Having children achieve these goals prior to being exposed in school would surely build their self-confidence, and give them a “push” in the right direction.
