DAVID SCHWARTZ
Author
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As a child, I was filled with awe as I contemplated the universe. The huge numbers of stars and their sizes and distances never failed to amaze me. With binoculars and magnifying glasses, I also focused on closer objects like birds, bugs, flowers and frogs. But science and math weren't my only fascination: I also loved bicycles, baseball, boats -- and ice cream.

Years later, on a clear spring night, I looked up at the sky and a flood of memories came to me. I remembered my childhood awe at the wonders of space. That night I was inspired to write my first book, How Much Is a Million? It was my way to make big numbers both thrilling and comprehensible.

How fortunate I was that How Much Is a Million? went on to become the classic children's book on large numbers and it recently celebrated its 20th birthday. It has sold over a million copies. Now, 50 books later, I spend much of my time finding unusual, whimsical ways to make math and science come alive for kids and teachers, both through writing and speaking.

There is nothing I enjoy more than visiting schools and speaking to the children who are my readers. I try to fill their minds with the same sense of wonder that I have always had for the world around me, and I try to get them to see math in ways they've never considered before. It thrills me that they can think, laugh and learn at the same time. The children are an inspiration to me and, based on what they have told me afterwards, I believe I am an inspiration to them. Here is what one child wrote to me on hand-painted multi-colored paper: "These are the colors of thinking, which you made me do. You made me think of math a hole different way." What could be better than that?!

Published Books
How Much Is a Million by David M Schwartz (author), Steven Kellogg (illustrator)Harper-Collins 1985,
ISBN 0688040497(hardcover)
ISBN 0688099335(paperback)

The fascinating world of big numbers comes alive in this award-winning classic. Known and loved around the world by children and adults alike.

"A jubilant, original picture book... great fun ... leads the viewer to conceptualize
what at first seems inconceivable, no mean feat."
*ALA Booklist (starred review)

A Reading Rainbow featured book
ALA Notable Book
Utah Informational Children's Book Award
Horn Book Honor Book
Children's Book of the Month Club Main Selection

If You Made a Million, by David M Schwartz (author), Steven Kellogg (Illustrator) Harper-Collins, 1989,

ISBN 0688070175(hardcover)
ISBN 0688136346

From one cent to one million dollars, the math of money for fun and profit.

"This is one investment that's sure to pay dividends in reader interest"
School Library Journal (starred review)

ALA Notable Book
Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Millions to Measure, by David M Schwartz (author), Steven Kellogg (illustrator) 2003, Harper-Collins,

ISBN 0688129161(hardcover)

ISBN 0060848065(paperback)

In the latest addition to David's "Million" series Marvelosissimo the Mathematical magician and his pack of fun-loving pals are back, measuring a million things in almost a million ways. They learn about many measurement systems, including the metric system.

On Beyond a Million: An Amazing Math Journey by David M. Schwartz, Paul Meisel (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers (September 7, 1999)

ISBN: 0385322178

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly  This "math journey" progresses exponentially as kids try to keep up with the yield of an out-of-control popcorn machine. Professor X teaches them to count by powers of 10, demonstrating up to a googol (10100) and beyond, as the kids provide a running commentary. While they don't seem much closer to knowing how many kernels of popcorn they have, they do learn a lot of big numbers and entertain each other with such nonsense names as "splendillion" and "elephantillion." Schwartz (Magic of a Million Activity Book) originally used bags of popcorn to demonstrate powers of 10 in school presentations. However, here the hands-on technique of counting the kernels is never explained; the value of the popcorn example is less clear in book form. Sidebars rattle off numerical trivia, adding zeros on every spread (e.g., "One little brown bat can snap up 600 mosquitoes per hour"; "There are 40,000 different characters in Chinese"). These ever-larger numbers inspire Meisel's (The Fixits) lively cartoon illustrations of 105 bees and five billion (or 5 x 109) people in the world. While readers' minds will be reeling with zeroes, they will be buoyed by Schwartz's and Meisel's infinite enthusiasm for their subject. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal  Schwartz helps youngsters conceptualize enormous numbers by introducing them to counting by powers of ten. Professor X, along with his dog Y, comes to the rescue of some children with an out-of-control popcorn popper as they futilely attempt to count the kernels. The Professor begins to "power count," rapidly reaching large numbers through the addition of zeros. The scenes change as the Professor counts from 1 to 10 to 100 to 1,000 , from a camp out in the woods, to the seashore, rain forest, north pole . All the while, the children echo his explanations of the counting process. Each double-page spread is illustrated with watercolors in lively cartoon fashion with lots of detail. Sidebars include one section where Y shows how exponents can be manipulated, and another section entitled "Did You Know?" The factoids presented show the prevalence of things in large number: "Every day 37,000,000 (thirty-seven million) Tootsie Rolls come rolling out of the factory." Yet, they bear no relationship to power counting, and may even serve as a distraction. And while the children do reach large numbers counting this way, they never actually count the popcorn. Also, exponents are generally not introduced until fifth or sixth grade, where this picture book will have less appeal. However, for the most part it works as an introduction to the subject, and fans of Schwartz's How Much Is a Million (1985) and If You Made a Million (1989, both Lothrop) will probably enjoy it. Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist "On your sixth birthday you have lived 189,216,000 (one hundred eighty-nine million, two hundred and sixteen thousand) seconds." Amazing facts about millions, trillions, and much bigger numbers are explained in picture-book cartoon scenarios, contributed by Paul Meisel, that show kids in the classroom, at the seashore, in the rain forest, and all over the place, learning how to count by powers of 10. The design is busy, with sidebars and balloon comments. Each double-page spread is clearly meant to be talked about, and the discussions aren't overwhelming. The sheer numbers are astounding, though, whether they refer to the population of the U.S. or the number of stars in the Milky Way; and the explanation of exponents gives kids a way to count what seems unimaginable. In a funny gag, one kid keeps asking, "Have we reached infinity yet?" and the answers make math awesome and yet accessible--even for those of us who are scared of all those zeros. Hazel Rochman

If You Hopped Like a Frog, by David M Schwartz (author), James Warhol (illustrator) Scholastic, 1999,

ISBN 0590098578

A hilarious introduction to ratio and proportion by comparing the amazing abilities of animals with humans.

"In this high-spirited book, Schwartz does for ratio and proportion what he did for numbers in How Much Is a Million? Trivia fans and aspiring scientists will revel in these pages."
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

If Dogs Were Dinosaurs, by David M Schwartz (author), James Warhol (illustrator) Scholastic, 2005,

ISBN 0439676126

Step into the world of relative sizes - and be prepared to be surprised! The fascinating fun of proportions continues in this delightful sequel to If You Hopped Like a Frog

"Math without tears - unless you count tears of laughter... Math didn't used to be
this much fun - it's almost unfair!"
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

G /s for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book
by David M Schwartz (author), Moss Marissa (Illustrator), Tricycle Press, 1998,
ISBN 1883672589.
From A-Z, a wonder-filled romp through the world of mathematics.

"An enchanting alphabet book that will make its audience laugh out loud. A
terrific title to instruct and entertain."
School Library Journal (starred review)

Q Is for Quark: A Science Alphabet Book Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 64 pages Publisher: Tricycle Press (September 2001)
ISBN: 1582460213

Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal This book does for science what Schwartz's G Is for Googol (Tricycle, 1998) did for mathematics. Each entry is defined in at least two pages of humorous folksy language. The scope includes the atom, clones, gravity, kitchen, System International, xylem, and "Zzzzzzzzzz." The text is filled with readable and clear explanations for some very complex concepts. Complementary cartoon illustrations and/or labeled diagrams appear on every page. Even if readers are not studying jet propulsion or Occam's razor, they will be introduced to a variety of scientific ideas and they will enjoy browsing through this funny and informative book. Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Super Grandpa, by David M. Schwartz (author), Bert Dodson (Illustrator), Tortuga Press, 2005,

ISBN 1889910333.

The inspiring true story of a 1,000 mile bike race, and one man's pursuit of his dream. Includes audio CD of author reading.

"This timeless, meaningful tale will delight listeners and should be considered an essential purchase."
School Library Journal (multi-media review)
Smithsonian Notable Book for Children
CBC Children's Book of the Year
PBS Storytime Storypick

PLEASE VISIT DAVID'S WEBSITE, www.davidschwartz.com, TO READ ABOUT ALL OF HIS BOOKS, INCLUDING 36 SCIENCE BOOKS FOR BEGINNING READERS.

School Presentations: Please contact David by email at david@davidschwartz.com for fee information, number of sessions, etc., and to request a brochure or poster about his presentations.

FEATURED ASSEMBLIES

"Math + Literature = Learning + Fun" Grades K-6, 45-75 min. With props, photos and a wealth of other visuals, David leads his audience on an exciting journey that combines math, science and literature. Children and teachers are thrilled by his unique approach that makes math more exciting than any of them ever thought possible!

"Math, Science and a Love of Books" Grades 6-12, 45-75 minutes. With humor, energy and many visuals, David demonstrates ways that his childhood interests in math and science blossomed into a successful writing career as a children's book author and magazine journalist.

When David sees a group for a second time, he can offer one of several workshops as follow-ups to his featured assembly.

WORKSHOPS

"The Storycrafter's Art" Grades 2-6, 30-60 min. David shows how authors, including the young authors in his audiences, can turn real events into compelling stories.

"Nature's Numbers: The Math-Science Connection" Grades K-6, 45-60 min.
While projecting magnificent photographs from his books, David illustrates the many ways that math and science go together.

"Think BIG! Workshop on Big Numbers" Grades 4-6, 45-60 min. After the featured assembly, your students will be ready to tackle some big problems in this mind-stretching, interactive session.

FAMILY PROGRAM
"Numbers, Numbers, Everywhere!" In an evening program, David speaks to parents and children about the many ways numbers enrich our lives, including the connection between numbers and stories.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
David also offers professional development workshops and keynote presentations. Please contact him for more information.

Here's what educators are saying about David Schwartz and his presentations for children...

... and a few words from the children in the audience...

CONTACT

David M. Schwartz
1849 Drake Dr.
Oakland, CA 94611

Phone (510)339-6778
Fax (510) 868-8354
send email to: david at davidschwartz.com
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Website: http://www.davidschwartz.com

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