If you know your addition and multiplication tables by heart, your next step is to get to know Fred. In this book and the next book (Life of Fred: Decimals) you can learn everything you need to know to begin Algebra!

Kidneys, Liver and Mineshaft make up the Life of Fred intermediate series. They are designed to be used with a 4th through 6th grade student. They should be used after the student completes Jelly Beans and before he or she completes Fractions--Amazon.

The idea behind Life of Fred is that if students have an enjoyable experience and have fun doing their math, they will remember it and use it and have a good taste in their math about the whole subject. The sub-title on each of his math books is "As Serious As it Needs to Be". And that is just the point: math doesn't need to be horrid and dry. This is math-just as serious as it needs to be-and I can tell you from my child's smiles and chuckles, that's not very serious at all! As a bonus, these books are very low priced compared to any other math books on the market. (Compare to Saxon at 50-70). If you have a creative child who is languishing on traditional math programs, try Life of Fred! Math, As Serious As it Needs to Be!

With the same light touch that made his Draw Squad a resounding success, PBS-TV's Mark Kistler enters the third dimension in these step-by-step drawing lessons for kids. As he explains artistic concepts, Kistler peppers his text with jokes, tips, and silly slogans.

Originally published: Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987.