Seven Golden Rings

A Tale of Music and Math
By Rajani LaRocca, Archana Sreenivasan
Out of Stock

In this clever, convivial picture book, an Indian boy untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah’s court.

Description

In ancient India, a boy named Bhagat travels to the Rajah’s city, hoping to ensure his family’s prosperity by winning a place at court as a singer. Bhagat carries his family’s entire fortune–a single coin and a chain of seven golden rings–to pay for his lodging. But when the innkeeper demands one ring per night, and every link snipped costs one coin, how can Bhagat both break the chain and avoid overpaying? His inventive solution points the way to an unexpected triumph, and offers readers a friendly lesson in binary numbers–the root of all computing.

About the Creators

Rajani LaRocca

Rajani LaRocca is the author of many acclaimed novels and picture books for children, including Red, White, and Whole which received the Newbery Honor. She was born in Bangalore, India, and immigrated to the US with her parents when she was a baby. She graduated from Harvard with both a BA and an MD, and has worked as a primary care physician since 2001. Rajani lives in Concord, Massachusetts, with her family. Visit her online at rajanilarocca.com.

Archana Sreenivasan

Archana Sreenivasan is the illustrator of several children's books including the star-reviewed Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman; the award-winning Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca; and My Bindi by Gita Varadarajan. She made her author-illustrator debut with her board book India on a Plate! Archana is based in Bangalore, India. Please visit her on the web at archanasreenivasan.com.

Awards

  • Mathical Book Prize Winner

    Mathematical Sciences Research Institute

  • Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award Nominee 2023

    Washington Library Association

  • Massachusetts Book Award Honor

    Massachusetts Center for the Book

  • Charlotte Awards Nominee 2023

    New York State Reading Association

  • Delaware Diamonds Awards

    Diamond State Literacy Association

Reviews

  • * "Bhagat's clever solution ends up unexpectedly making his fortune, and sets the stage for an engrossing explanation of base 10 and binary number systems in the author's note. LaRocca's story, cast in the cadence of classic folktales, is enlivened by the contrast of Sreenivasan's cartoon illustrations. . . Deft and engaging."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • * "Charming. . . This succeeds both as an entertaining read-aloud and as a teasing introduction to the binary system."

    - Booklist
  • "This heartwarming rags-to-riches story is accompanied by vivid illustrations that pulse with detail, movement, and color. . . A cleverly imagined story."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Adventure, suspense and a surprise ending make Rajani LaRocca's enchanting picture book debut, Seven Golden Rings, an amusing lesson about the importance of math."

    - Shelf Awareness

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781885008978
  • Publication Date Oct 27, 2020
  • Trim Size 9 × 11 in
  • Weight 1.125 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Word Count 1104
  • Paperback

  • ISBN 9781643797359
  • Publication Date Nov 19, 2024
  • Trim Size 9 × 11 in
  • Weight 1.1 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Mathematics
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / Asia
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Concepts / Counting & Numbers
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Comparing / Classifying / Measuring, Counting Money / Everyday Math, Courage, Dreams & Aspirations, Economics / Finance, Families, Fiction, Imagination, Integrity / Honesty, Mothers, Music, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Poverty, Responsibility, Social & Emotional Learning
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 7 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 2 - 5
  • Guided Reading Q
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades 2 - 5
  • Lexile Level 720
  • Reading Level 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 60
      Social and Emotional Learning Collection
      Collection of 60 books: $958.00

      460 in stock

    • 30
      Lee & Low RIF Collection
      Collection of 30 books: $418.50