| Not really a kids book (too violent and depressing) nor an adult book
(about a toy mouse that goes on an adventure, with illustrations) this
is nonetheless an interesting allegory for those so inclined. The
mathematical content of the book is very small. Our mouse heros meet
a muskrat who is clearly supposed to represent mathematicians.
He solves his problem (to chop down a tree) by setting up a notation
and writing (somewhat nonsensical) equations.
Thanks to Malcolm Rowley who wrote to remind me that the animal in question was the muskrat and that the muskrat was killed by his solution in the end. Malcolm also adds "It is a childrens book. At least, it's a book for my kids. They
love it."
| Contributed by
Emily Cho
"I was looking for information on Hoban's The Mouse and His Child and stumbled across your site. An interesting concept, to link literature with mathematics. I've always thought that arts and sciences should never been viewed as separate concepts. I first read The Mouse and His Child this past school year, in a second year university-level children's literature course. It is now one of my all-time favourite stories, and I think it stands alongside Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) in its deepness and its philosophies. The Mouse and His Child is definitely a memorable book that can bring laughter and tears to many readers." |
| Contributed by
M. Peter Engelbrite
In the "Last Visible Dog" theme, there is a can of dog food with a picture of a dog on it holding that same can, which has a dog holding a can, etc. This is referred to as embodying infinity, but it strikes me as a good illustration of convergent series.
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