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Sir Cumference #1
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure
Key Features Description Assisted by his knight, Sir Cumference, and using ideas offered by his wife and son, King Arthur finds the perfect shape for his table. Assisted by his knight, Sir Cumference, and using ideas offered by his wife and son, King Arthur finds the perfect shape for his table. Standards 3.MD.D.8 Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters. 3.MD.D.8 Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters. Product Details Item #: NTS215 9780590002158 Paperback Book 32 Comedy and Humor, Functional and How-To 3 - 5 Lexile® AD600L Guided Reading GR Level Q DRA 40 ... ACR 4.3 Show Less Show More Key Features Item #: NTS215 9780590002158 Paperback Book 32 Comedy and Humor, Functional and How-To 3 - 5 Lexile® AD600L Guided Reading GR Level Q DRA 40 ... ACR 4.3
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
20 people are currently reading
2171 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Neuschwander
39 books52 followersCindy Neuschwander is a native Californian, born in San Diego, CA. Her father was a naval officer and later a high school teacher and her mother was a homemaker. She has one younger brother.
Cindy graduated with a BA in International Studies from Willamette University and earned an MA from Stanford University. She has taught all grades in elementary school as well as high school.
Cindy began writing books in 1994. She had used math literature with her own classes in the early 1990’s and liked the way students responded to it. She wanted to use more of these books but found there were not many available so she started writing some of her own. Her books are published by Charlesbridge, Henry Holt, and Scholastic. She usually writes one book a year.
When she is not teaching or writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married to her husband, Bruce, for over 30 years. Their older son, Tim, is a medical doctor working in orthopedic research. Their younger son, Seth, is a college student training to become a firefighter. Cindy and Bruce own three dogs; two Dalmatians and a Gordon Setter. Cindy loves to travel, bike ride, and swim. She and her family are Christians who are active in their local church.
Cindy graduated with a BA in International Studies from Willamette University and earned an MA from Stanford University. She has taught all grades in elementary school as well as high school.
Cindy began writing books in 1994. She had used math literature with her own classes in the early 1990’s and liked the way students responded to it. She wanted to use more of these books but found there were not many available so she started writing some of her own. Her books are published by Charlesbridge, Henry Holt, and Scholastic. She usually writes one book a year.
When she is not teaching or writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married to her husband, Bruce, for over 30 years. Their older son, Tim, is a medical doctor working in orthopedic research. Their younger son, Seth, is a college student training to become a firefighter. Cindy and Bruce own three dogs; two Dalmatians and a Gordon Setter. Cindy loves to travel, bike ride, and swim. She and her family are Christians who are active in their local church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
April 30, 2025
4.0 Stars
I wish I had this book in 1st or 2nd grade.
I had a big grin on my face the whole book. Good young children's book.
I wish I had this book in 1st or 2nd grade.
I had a big grin on my face the whole book. Good young children's book.
November 5, 2018
Very clever! What a fun way to cover shapes, their mathematical names, and particularly the circle and it's dimensions. Even if your kids have not reached geometry yet, this story will be a great way to introduce the terms.
Ages: 7 - 12
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Ages: 7 - 12
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
April 7, 2021
What a cute, fun way to teach some geometry terms and concepts! My older kids got a kick out of the names, knowing the nods to Math terms and my younger kids loved finding out why the names were funny and learned the math concepts, my preK daughter drew shapes that the table was constructed in as we read. We look forward to reading more in this series.
February 10, 2021
These are fun for my 3rd grader who's very interested in math at the moment! I think associating math ideas with an adventure story is a really clever way to help kids remember some of this!
February 21, 2011
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table draws from the romance of King Arthur legends, spinning out a rather shallow story in order to introduce basic math concepts. In this volume, King Arthur's knights need to meet together to plan their defense against their enemies, but they cannot hear each other from both ends of their rectangular table. Sir Cumference, together with his wife lady Di (from the town of Ameter), apply principles of geometry to change it to several new configurations, but their attempts are stymied until their son Radius spots a fallen tree which is exactly the right shape.
Neuschwander's writing is clear and well-paced, and the illustrations are attractive enough that many children may spot the book and ask for it to be read aloud. Without proper preparation they may be disappointed, because as a stand-alone story it's rather a snore. As a dressed-up math lesson, however, complete with mnemonic devices for recalling math terminology, it's a clear winner. If you like this book, you'll probably enjoy others in the series too.
Neuschwander's writing is clear and well-paced, and the illustrations are attractive enough that many children may spot the book and ask for it to be read aloud. Without proper preparation they may be disappointed, because as a stand-alone story it's rather a snore. As a dressed-up math lesson, however, complete with mnemonic devices for recalling math terminology, it's a clear winner. If you like this book, you'll probably enjoy others in the series too.
April 1, 2019
As a story, I guess it's OK, but as far as the math goes, once my son had finished the book he was as clueless as when he began. It certainly hasn't fulfilled its ostensible purpose by expanding his geometric vocabulary.
March 17, 2021
What a non intimidating way to introduce kids to math concepts. Loved these books! My son still says he remembers that the radius is half of the diameter because of Prince Radius and his mother Lady Di Ameter.
January 14, 2018
This book is a fun and easy way to introduce simple math terms in a memorable way!
June 24, 2025
A story about how King Arther got his round table! Going through several different shapes, and why they didn't work.
Many characters have math names, Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and things like that! Fun and clever.
Many characters have math names, Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and things like that! Fun and clever.
September 8, 2023
I absolutely love this book
Hurray for Sir Cumfrance and Lady Di of Ameter and of course little Radius.
Hurray for Sir Cumfrance and Lady Di of Ameter and of course little Radius.
December 30, 2018
Sir Cumference is a series of entertaining, clever, and imaginative medieval fantasy tales set in a world full of fun geometry-based names and lands. The reader follows the adventure of each book and discovers new math concepts along with the knights and ladies in the stories - and sometimes dragons. I've always loved a good picture book, and I still do - and these books are a wonderful example of a quality picture book. I've enjoyed Sir Cumference immensely in both childhood and adulthood.
Each book is engaging and well-written, with endearing and clever characters, exciting adventures, and humor throughout. I laugh at the puns and plays on words and at the hilarious situations the characters often go through. I'm amazed at the loveliness of the illustrations, which - like the text - are colorful, funny, exciting, and imaginative, as well as beautifully painted on actual canvas, with gorgeous lighting and color.
And the math concepts presented in the text are humourously, clearly, and simply explained, while still retaining complex and sophisticated information of basic geometry and sometimes other areas of math. And in the context of a fun story, they're easy to remember and recall. A very young child can understand the explanation of the basic concept, the full explanation can aid the learning of an older student, and teens and adults can enjoy the clever books just as much.
I'm good at math, but it's never come easily to me, as it does for my siblings. I struggle to learn and understand math concepts when I can't understand the why and how behind them. Even as a teen and adult, and as a child, reading Sir Cumference helped give me that brilliant light-bulb moment of finally understanding why the equation to find the circumference or area of a circle is the way it is, and works the way it does. The books break these concepts down and show them in concrete, tangible ways, rather than only abstract, nebulous numbers and equations. This way, it's easy to understand how the equation works to produce the number, instead of being unreachable and impossible to wrap one's mind around. Weaving the math into the context of an imaginative story with relatable characters also helps so much, because that's how my mind and imagination engage best with information. If I get the chance to follow in my parents' steps and homeschool my own kids someday, or even if I don't, I will definitely be using these books to teach my future children, if I have any.
I first read the Sir Cumference series as an elementary school-aged child, and I've loved them ever since. The stories have always made me laugh and captured my imagination. It's been a few years since I've read them, and upon rereading the series, I'm pleased to find that the books are are just as wonderful and quality now that I'm an adult and a writer. I was also overjoyed to recently discover the existence of more Sir Cumference sequels that I'd wished for for many years.
I grew up with the first four SirSir Cumference books, and they're special to me, but I enjoyed a couple of the new ones just as much. The first four books in the series are best read in order, but some of the later books were not published chronologically, and they can be read in any order after the first book. For instance, The Isle of Immeter can be read in any order after the first two books, but it should be read before The Viking's Map, since it introduces a new female protagonist. My favorite books in the series are definitely the ones featuring Sir Cumference's son Radius as the main character - the ones I grew up on, and also the slightly newer books I read more recently that follow both Radius and his female cousin Per of Immeter.
The Sir Cumference books are full of sweet characters, exciting tales, adventure, entertaining humor, learning, and more. All this is contained in a short picture book - no small feat! I highly recommend the Sir Cumference series to people of all ages who enjoy a clever and fun story, especially to teachers and homeschoolers for teaching math in an entertaining and engaging manner.
Each book is engaging and well-written, with endearing and clever characters, exciting adventures, and humor throughout. I laugh at the puns and plays on words and at the hilarious situations the characters often go through. I'm amazed at the loveliness of the illustrations, which - like the text - are colorful, funny, exciting, and imaginative, as well as beautifully painted on actual canvas, with gorgeous lighting and color.
And the math concepts presented in the text are humourously, clearly, and simply explained, while still retaining complex and sophisticated information of basic geometry and sometimes other areas of math. And in the context of a fun story, they're easy to remember and recall. A very young child can understand the explanation of the basic concept, the full explanation can aid the learning of an older student, and teens and adults can enjoy the clever books just as much.
I'm good at math, but it's never come easily to me, as it does for my siblings. I struggle to learn and understand math concepts when I can't understand the why and how behind them. Even as a teen and adult, and as a child, reading Sir Cumference helped give me that brilliant light-bulb moment of finally understanding why the equation to find the circumference or area of a circle is the way it is, and works the way it does. The books break these concepts down and show them in concrete, tangible ways, rather than only abstract, nebulous numbers and equations. This way, it's easy to understand how the equation works to produce the number, instead of being unreachable and impossible to wrap one's mind around. Weaving the math into the context of an imaginative story with relatable characters also helps so much, because that's how my mind and imagination engage best with information. If I get the chance to follow in my parents' steps and homeschool my own kids someday, or even if I don't, I will definitely be using these books to teach my future children, if I have any.
I first read the Sir Cumference series as an elementary school-aged child, and I've loved them ever since. The stories have always made me laugh and captured my imagination. It's been a few years since I've read them, and upon rereading the series, I'm pleased to find that the books are are just as wonderful and quality now that I'm an adult and a writer. I was also overjoyed to recently discover the existence of more Sir Cumference sequels that I'd wished for for many years.
I grew up with the first four SirSir Cumference books, and they're special to me, but I enjoyed a couple of the new ones just as much. The first four books in the series are best read in order, but some of the later books were not published chronologically, and they can be read in any order after the first book. For instance, The Isle of Immeter can be read in any order after the first two books, but it should be read before The Viking's Map, since it introduces a new female protagonist. My favorite books in the series are definitely the ones featuring Sir Cumference's son Radius as the main character - the ones I grew up on, and also the slightly newer books I read more recently that follow both Radius and his female cousin Per of Immeter.
The Sir Cumference books are full of sweet characters, exciting tales, adventure, entertaining humor, learning, and more. All this is contained in a short picture book - no small feat! I highly recommend the Sir Cumference series to people of all ages who enjoy a clever and fun story, especially to teachers and homeschoolers for teaching math in an entertaining and engaging manner.
October 31, 2019
I did really enjoy this book and will enjoy using this book with children a lot! I think the way it includes all the maths vocabulary is really clever and I have just learned that it is part of a series so I’d love to read more.
It has got some American terms which I think children may struggle to look past and understand but maybe those bits could be left out or made clear from the start.
Overall, a really good maths book and loads of opportunities for the children to learn about shape and do the maths along with the story.
It has got some American terms which I think children may struggle to look past and understand but maybe those bits could be left out or made clear from the start.
Overall, a really good maths book and loads of opportunities for the children to learn about shape and do the maths along with the story.
July 24, 2021
Very clever book. Short enough to read with children in one sitting. There are multiple opportunities for further discussion with children, about both the book’s word play and meaning of different mathematical concepts. Suitable for KS2.
September 17, 2008
This is a great book introducing circumference, radius, and diameter. You kids will never forget these terms thanks to Sir Cumference, Lady Di and their son, Radius.
July 18, 2010
Cute book to introduce more math terms like diameter and radius. Set in King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table times. Refreshed my memory on things I learned a loooong time ago. :)
August 22, 2015
A truly excellent book - a fairy tale adventure that teaches children the history/legend of King Arthur, the difficulties of negotiations and a wonderful amount of mathematics!
October 4, 2016
Ellie and mom rates 4 stars, Jacob 3 stars. Read for CC2...krb 10/3/16
October 8, 2019
This is an explicit maths book.
You can explore:
-Area of a rectangle/square
- Shapes within shapes
- Mathematical language (names of shapes)
- Halving and doubling
- Area and perimeter
You can explore:
-Area of a rectangle/square
- Shapes within shapes
- Mathematical language (names of shapes)
- Halving and doubling
- Area and perimeter
May 16, 2023
This was very cute, and combining math with a story feels like a great way to learn and enjoy math a little bit more.
June 13, 2023
Best maths adventure I've ever been on.
August 7, 2025
24-25 school year-3 times to my 7th grade classes
25-26 school year-4 times to my 7th grade classes
25-26 school year-4 times to my 7th grade classes
August 12, 2025
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander introduces young readers to mathematical concepts in an engaging and fun way. The story blends these concepts with a medival setting, with creative characters' names such as: Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and Radius. The plot is simple but interesting-King Arthur needs a table where his knights can work together without arguments, and the search for the perfect shape becomes a lesson in problem-solving and design. The illustrations in the book help to tell the story with colorful and detailed pages with many math-themed jokes. The math concepts are simple, and the story leads to deeper thinking about how shapes affect communication and collaboration.
This book can be used in grades 2-3, when students are being introduced to basic geometry concepts like shapes and circles. These students will also enjoy the humor in the story. This can be used in grades 4-5 as well, students can go deeper and connect the story to more formal geometry terms (diameter, radius, circumference) and this also models problem-solving strategies. As a whole, the book entertains while educating-making it a great choice for both children and educators.
August 23, 2024
Soon as I see that the title of this math storybook starts off with a play on words, I'm in. And, in my experience, this book never disappoints.
King Arthur seeks to choose the perfect shape for his table. You know, Goodreaders, the table for all his knights.
A geometrically aware knight, Sir Cumference, helps the king to decide. Also helping are King Arthur's wife and son.
Considerable cleverness and fun are packed into this book. For instance, there's a kind of Punch-and-Judy show.
Here's one outstanding Aha! contributed by Mr. Circumference:
Now I realize that the larger the denominator, the smaller each part is.
The higher the numerator, the more parts there are."
And soon you have it, the first Round Table.
FIVE STARS, for sure.
King Arthur seeks to choose the perfect shape for his table. You know, Goodreaders, the table for all his knights.
A geometrically aware knight, Sir Cumference, helps the king to decide. Also helping are King Arthur's wife and son.
Considerable cleverness and fun are packed into this book. For instance, there's a kind of Punch-and-Judy show.
Here's one outstanding Aha! contributed by Mr. Circumference:
Now I realize that the larger the denominator, the smaller each part is.
The higher the numerator, the more parts there are."
And soon you have it, the first Round Table.
FIVE STARS, for sure.
March 1, 2024
One of my professors encouraged me to read the Sir Cumference books because they would be good ones to put on my bookshelf in my classroom and now I see why! I like how the problem in the story of trying to make a table that will meet all of the characters' needs develops over time. In particular, I like how the solution is developed collaboratively over time and how each version of the solution has a tangible reason why the geometry of the table represents a real issue for the characters. The mathematical examples that are provided are rich and are low-floor high-ceiling. 5/5, would definitely recommend.
August 9, 2025
Great book! Love the integration of story, math, and geometry. I wish the illustrations had shown the characters as more diverse, as not all of the knights and their friends were white. I also which Lady Di had been acknowledged even more than she was, as most of the innovations were hers. Some kids also might find some of the story a bit boring or frustrating, especially as it takes so long for them to come up with the round table idea. That being said, the book is cute, fun, clever, and informative with beautiful and expressive illustrations. I definitely recommend it! I look forward to reading more from this series and sharing it with the young people in my life.
August 12, 2025
A fictional tale explaining why King Arthur and his knights wound up with a round table, after the trials and errors of Sir Cumference (with the help of his wife, Lady Di, and son Radius).
Some of the reasons for needing the table different shapes seem a bit ridiculous (and not solved) to me by the round table, but this is for kids and I suspect those things are thrown in to entertain them rather than be logical. The book does more introducing of different shapes and showing how they relate than talking about circumference, radius, and diameter. It’s more about geometric figures and equal spacing around them.
Some of the reasons for needing the table different shapes seem a bit ridiculous (and not solved) to me by the round table, but this is for kids and I suspect those things are thrown in to entertain them rather than be logical. The book does more introducing of different shapes and showing how they relate than talking about circumference, radius, and diameter. It’s more about geometric figures and equal spacing around them.
February 5, 2024
This book was on my elementary school’s bookshelves. I read it, learned some math from it, liked it a lot, thought it was a fever dream like most of the books I read back then, and took credit for the amazing “Sir Cumference” pun. Then I found it on Goodreads and was humbled. Great book for math with an amazing pun for the main character’s name.
September 5, 2025
I'm usually a fan of medieval children's books but I didn't find the illustrations pleasing in the least bit with this one. The rudimentary math was rather clever but explained in a way that a child would overlook and carry on with the story.
January 26, 2024
Smart book.
February 29, 2024
Read this as a child and to this day is how I remember circumference, diameter, and radius. 10/10 children’s educational math book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews