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Stuart J. Murphy

Born: 1942 in Rockville, Connecticut
Pen Name: None

Connection to Illinois: Murphy lived in Evanston for a time.

Biography: Stuart J. Murphy is an education consultant whose 'MathStart' books for HarperCollins have helped kick-start a new approach in teaching math skills. At more than fifty titles strong, the series is graded in three levels and aimed at young children. Murphy's idea is to present math concepts such as comparing, counting, matching, sequencing, fractions, adding, and subtracting, among dozens of others, in the context of stories. Murphy served a long apprenticeship before inaugurating his popular math series. Graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1964, he served as the art director for the magazine The Art Gallery for three years before joining the textbook company Ginn and Company as a designer. In 1971 he became art director for Ginn, a position he held until 1980. In that year he cofounded Ligature, Inc., an educational research and development firm that worked with publishers to conceptualize and prepare high quality books for U.S. schools. During these years he worked on social studies projects as well as math books.


Awards:
  • '''''MathStart'' series'''
  • -- Top-Ten Nonfiction Series for Young Children, Booklist, 1999 '''''Slugger's Car Wash'''''
  • -- Best Children's Book of the Year, Bank Street College of Education, 2003 '''''Less than Zero'''''
  • -- Best Book, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

Primary Audience(s): Children; Children

Website: http://www.stuartjmurphy.com
Stuart J. Murphy on WorldCat : http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=stuart+j.+murphy


Selected Titles

100 days of cool
ISBN: 0060001216 OCLC: 48987696

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2004.

Four students arrive on the first day of school looking cool and their teacher challenges them to keep it up as they count down one hundred days to a cool celebration.

3 little firefighters
ISBN: 9780060001209 OCLC: 48958055

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2003.

Three young firefighters must find matching sets of buttons to complete their costumes for a parade, but should they sort them by shape, color, or size?

A fair bear share /
ISBN: 0064467147 OCLC: 35714606

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : ©1998.

Four bear cubs collect ingredients for a blueberry pie, counting and recounting them as their supply grows.

A house for Birdie
ISBN: 0060523514 OCLC: 50959004

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2004.

As Birdie and his friends try to locate a house that is just right for his size, readers learn about the concept of capacity.

A pair of socks /
ISBN: 059006259X OCLC: 36653254

Scholastic, Inc., New York : ©1996.

Introduces pattern recognition as a sock searches the house for its lost mate.

  A Pair of socks by Stuart J. Murphy.
ISBN: 1890275573 OCLC: 45228249

Childcraft Education Corp., Lancaster, PA : ©1998.

Math bags contain materials designed to help children grasp the basics of math centered concepts. This kit teaches about attributes of matching sets.

Animals on board /
ISBN: 0064467163 OCLC: 36713096

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : ©1998.

Introduces simple addition through a rhyming text about animals being delivered for a merry-go-round.

Beep beep, vroom vroom! /
ISBN: 0064467287 OCLC: 40444042

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©2000.

As Molly plays with her big brother's toy cars, readers will see and recognize patterns, an essential first step in learning to reason from the specific to the general.

Betcha! /
ISBN: 0064467074 OCLC: 34553454

HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY : ©1997.

Uses a dialog between two friends, one who estimates, one who counts precisely, to show estimation at work in everyday life.

Bigger, better, best! /
ISBN: 0064462471 OCLC: 45757379

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2002.

In their family's new house, Jenny, Jeff, and Jill use a simple geometry concept to calculate area and prove, once and for all, whose room is bigger.

Bug dance /
ISBN: 0064462528 OCLC: 45715316

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2002.

The bugs in Coach Caterpillar's gym are learning a new dance. But Centipede can't do it! If he can't learn the directions "left, right, forward, and backward", this class will be one big flop!

Camille's team
ISBN: 9781607342731 OCLC: 865019326

Charlesbridge, Watertown, Mass. : 2013.

Camille loves to build sand forts at the beach. But it's hard to build a big fort alone. Camille and her friends make a plan. They find that they can get more done--and have more fun--when they work together.

Camille's team /
ISBN: 1580894593 OCLC: 608685604

At the beach four animal friends work together to make a fabulous sand fort.

Circus shapes /
ISBN: 0064467139 OCLC: 35450397

HarperCollins, New York : ©1998.

Circus animals and performers getting ready for a show form basic geometric shapes.

Coyotes all around /
ISBN: 0060515317 OCLC: 50958959

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : ©2003.

A pack of coyotes tries to determine how many roadrunners and other creatures are in their vicinity, and while some count different groups and add their totals together, Clever Coyote rounds off and estimates.

Dave's down-to-earth rock shop
ISBN: 9780064467292 OCLC: 40359254

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©2000.

As they consider sorting their rock collection by color, size, type, and hardness, Josh and Amy learn that the same objects can be organized in many different ways.

Dinosaur deals
ISBN: 9780064462518 OCLC: 44468973

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2001.

At the Dinosaur Card Trading Fair, brothers Mike and Andy learn how equivalent values can help them make the best trades.

Divide and ride
ISBN: 9780064467100 OCLC: 33668155

HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY : ©1997.

Teaches division as a group of friends goes on different carnival rides.

Double the ducks
ISBN: 0060289228 OCLC: 46678044

HarperCollins, New York : ©2003.

A little boy works very hard taking care of five little ducks, then they go for a walk and each duck brings home a friend making double the work.

Earth Day-hooray!
ISBN: 9780060001292 OCLC: 51297129

HarperCollins Pub., New York, NY : ©2004.

A drive to recycle cans on Earth Day teaches the children of the Maple Street School Save-the-Planet Club about place value.

Elevator magic /
ISBN: 0064467090 OCLC: 34411627

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©1997.

Explains the concept of subtraction through a rhyming text about a descending elevator.

Emma's friendwich
ISBN: 9781607342311 OCLC: 865019470

Charlesbridge, Watertown, Mass. : 2013.

Emma wants to make friends with the girl next door, but what should she do' What if she smiles, asks to play, and shares her toys. Pre-readers and beginning readers will love this sweet story and learn valuable tips about making friends of their own.

Emma's friendwich /
ISBN: 1580894518 OCLC: 430678919

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2010.

After moving to a new home, Emma makes friends with the girl next door. Includes questions about the text and notes to parents about visual learning.

Every buddy counts
ISBN: 9780064467087 OCLC: 33818487

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©1997.

A little girl goes through the day counting her buddies which include one hamster, two sisters, three kittens, etc.

  Freda is found /
ISBN: 1580894631 OCLC: 646715926

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2011.

On a field trip, Freda is separated from her class, but she remembers just what to do. Includes questions about the text and a note to parents about visual learning.

  Freda is Found.
ISBN: 1283523353 OCLC: 817803126

Charlesbridge Publishing 2011.

Freda is excited to be on a class trip. But after she stops to look in a store window, she can't find her group.

Freda plans a picnic /
ISBN: 1580894577 OCLC: 430678920

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2010.

Freda has a picnic in the backyard with her friends. Includes questions about the text and a note to parents about visual learning.

  Freda plans a picnic.
ISBN: 9927101473 OCLC: 922009905

Bloomsbury Qatar Fndtn Pu, [Place of publication not identified] : 2015.

Freda says please /
ISBN: 1580894755 OCLC: 798498961

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2013.

Freda wants to play with her friends, but they think she is too bossy. Includes questions about the text and a note to parents about encouraging courteous behavior.

  Freda stops a bully
ISBN: 9781580894678 OCLC: 740250675

Charlesbridge, Watertown, Mass. : ©2012.

Max makes fun of Freda's shoes, but Freda soon learns how to cope with his bullying.

Freda stops a bully
ISBN: 9781607344513 OCLC: 805853931

Charlesbridge, Watertown, Mass. : 2012.

Max makes fun of Freda's shoes, but Freda soon learns how to cope with his bullying.

Game time! /
ISBN: 0064467325 OCLC: 40423271

Calendars and clocks keep track of passing time as the Huskies prepare for and compete in the championship soccer game against the Falcons.

Get up and go! /
ISBN: 006446704X OCLC: 32591225

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©1996.

Explains through the use of rhyme the concepts of timelines and addition as a girl gets ready for school with the help of her smart dog.

Give me half! /
ISBN: 0064467015 OCLC: 32548505

HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY : ©1996.

Introduces the concept of halves using a simple rhyming story about a brother and sister who do not want to share their food.

Good job, Ajay! /
ISBN: 1580894550 OCLC: 430678917

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2010.

Ajay's friends encourage him as he practices throwing a ball. Includes questions about the text and notes to parents on visual learning.

  Good Job.
ISBN: 1306389232 OCLC: 869523288

Charlesbridge, 2013.

Great choice, Camille! /
ISBN: 1580894771 OCLC: 778636805

Charlesbridge, Watertown, Mass. : ©2013.

At school Camille learns the importance of making decisions.

  Great Choice.
ISBN: 1306394074 OCLC: 869525740

Charlesbridge, 2013.

Hamster champs /
ISBN: 0060557737 OCLC: 56614283

HarperCollins, New York : ©2005.

Three hamsters try to elude a dangerous cat.

Happy, healthy Ajay! /
ISBN: 1580894712 OCLC: 733546870

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2012.

Ajay learns what he needs to do so he can become healthier and play with his friends.

  Happy.
ISBN: 1306394236 OCLC: 869523024

Charlesbridge, 2012.

  Henry the fourth
ISBN: 0439194202 OCLC: 46405836

Scholastic, New York : 2000, ©1999.

A simple story about four dogs at a dog show introduces the ordinal numbers: first, second, third, and fourth.

Henry the fourth /
ISBN: 0064467198 OCLC: 38258154

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©1999.

A simple story about four dogs at a dog show introduces the ordinal numbers: first, second, third, and fourth.

Invincible :
ISBN: 1401308848 OCLC: 70790872

Hyperion, New York : ©2006.

Story of a 30-year-old Philadelphia football fan who earned a spot on his favorite professional team's roster in 1976.

It's about time!
ISBN: 9780060557690 OCLC: 54416142

HarperCollins, New York : ©2005.

It's About Time-to wake up-to learn, to play, to read-to cuddle up in the blankets and to dream. A twenty-four -- hour day is full of great things to do! Endearing illustrations depicting things kids do every day make this an easy introduction to the skill of telling time, perfect for very young readers.

Jack the builder /
ISBN: 0060557753 OCLC: 57549606

HarperCollins, New York : ©2006.

A story about blocks and building introduces counting.

Jump, kangaroo, jump /
ISBN: 006446721X OCLC: 37975451

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York, NY : ©1999.

Kangaroo and his Australian animal friends divide themselves up into different groups for the various field day events at camp.

Just enough carrots /
ISBN: 0064467112 OCLC: 34699511

HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY : ©1997.

While a bunny and his mother shop in a grocery store for lunch guests, the reader may count and compare the amounts of carrots, peanuts, and worms in the grocery carts of other shoppers.

Leaping lizards
ISBN: 9780060001322 OCLC: 56614281

HarperCollins, New York : ©2005.

Learn to count by 5s and 10s by counting the lizards as they arrive for a show. It's almost time for the show to begin -- but where are all the lizards? As a frantic snake looks high and low for the performers, they start to arrive, first by fives and then by tens. Will all fifty lizards show up in time? A lively rhymed story and pictures bursting with color introduce the math concept of counting by fives and tens, an important first step in learning addition and multiplication.

Left, right, Emma! /
ISBN: 1580894739 OCLC: 697808310

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2012.

After learning the concept of left and right, Emma leads the class marching band on Grandparents Day.

  Left.
ISBN: 1306394082 OCLC: 869524688

Charlesbridge, 2012.

Lemonade for sale
ISBN: 0060274409 OCLC: 36103816

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©1998.

The Elm Street Kids' Club decides to sell lemonade to earn money to fix up their clubhouse and they use a graph to keep track of their sales.

Less than zero
ISBN: 0060001240 OCLC: 49028908

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2003.

While trying to save enough money to buy a new ice scooter, Perry the Penguin learns about managing his money and about negative numbers.

Let's fly a kite /
ISBN: 0064467376 OCLC: 41238497

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : ©2000.

Two squabbling siblings learn about symmetry when their babysitter helps them build and fly a kite.

Mall mania
ISBN: 9780060557775 OCLC: 57557363

HarperCollins, New York : ©2006.

Shopping, counting, and a birthday present all add up to a surprise ending on Mall Mania Day.

  MathStart.
ISBN: 0739875809 OCLC: 62502622

HarperCollins, New York : ©1996-2002.

  MathStart.
ISBN: 0739875744 OCLC: 62502725

HarperCollins, New York : 1996-2002.

MathStart.
ISBN: 0739825607 OCLC: 62502478

HarperCollins, New York : ©1996-2001.

No one will play with poor Kangaroo--his friends all have too much to do! But little does he know that his buddies are busy using multiplication to plan a big birthday surprise.

Mighty Maddie
ISBN: 9780060531614 OCLC: 53178720

HarperCollins, New York : ©2004.

As Maddie cleans up her room, she learns how to compare the weights of various objects.

  Missing mittens
ISBN: 9781442007321 OCLC: 859267406

Paw Prints, [United States] : [2009]

As a farmer tries to find the correct number of mittens for his various farmyard animals, the reader is introduced to odd and even numbers.

Missing mittens /
ISBN: 0064467333 OCLC: 42027439

HarperCollins, New York : ©2001.

As a farmer tries to find the correct number of mittens for his various farmyard animals, the reader is introduced to odd and even numbers.

Monster musical chairs /
ISBN: 0064467309 OCLC: 41165393

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2000.

As six monsters play a wild game of musical chairs, readers learn to subtract--one chair at a time.

More or less /
ISBN: 0060531673 OCLC: 54425330

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : ©2005.

At a school picnic, Eddie uses his knowledge of numbers to outsmart the people who come to his game booth.

One-- two-- three-- Sassafras! /
ISBN: 0064462463 OCLC: 45661610

HarperCollins, New York : ©2002.

At a family reunion, the cousins line up in order of their ages to get their pictures taken, introducing the concept of numerical order.

  Ou ma li jia de hua ji gao shou :
ISBN: 9789862033227 OCLC: 877907403

Tai wan mai ke, Tai bei shi : 2013.

Pepper's journal :
ISBN: 0064467236 OCLC: 40199876

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : ©2000.

Lisa keeps a journal of her new kitten's first year.

Percy gets upset /
ISBN: 1580894615 OCLC: 608685612

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2011.

Mommy and Daddy help their son calm down and feel better when situations during the day make him angry.

  Percy gets upset =
ISBN: 9781632890290 OCLC: 993623938

Mommy and Daddy help their son calm down and feel better when situations during the day make him angry.

Percy listens up
ISBN: 9781580894685 OCLC: 697808308

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2012.

Percy the giraffe learns the importance of listening to parents, teachers, and friends.

Percy plays it safe
ISBN: 9781607342342 OCLC: 667106440

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2010.

After playing boisterously at the playground, Percy learns how to keep himself and his friends safe and still have a good time. Includes questions about the text and a note to parents about visual learning.

Percy plays it safe /
ISBN: 1580894534 OCLC: 430678921

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2010.

After playing boisterously at the playground, Percy learns how to keep himself and his friends safe and still have a good time. Includes questions about the text and a note to parents about visual learning.

Percy's neighborhood
ISBN: 9781684446841 OCLC: 1020793934

Percy learns about his neighborhood and its community helpers as he and his father hand out posters.

Percy's neighborhood /
ISBN: 158089481X OCLC: 777364296

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2013.

Percy learns about his neighborhood and its community helpers as he and his father hand out posters.

Polly's pen pal
ISBN: 0060531681 OCLC: 54416145

Polly's got a pen pal - in Canada! Polly's sure that she and her new friend, Ally, will have a lot in common. When Ally writes that she's 125 centimeters tall and weighs 25 kilograms, Polly wants to know if she's the same. Polly wishes she could go and visit her -- but Ally lives 450 kilometers away! Young readers will learn about metric units like centimeters, kilograms, kilometers, and liters as they follow this story of two friends who can't be kept apart.

Probably pistachio
ISBN: 9781442016910 OCLC: 41892783

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2001.

Readers are introduced to the concept of probability in a story about a boy who has a day in which nothing goes right.

  Rabbit's pajama party
ISBN: 1586692747 OCLC: 155854780

A group of animal friends have fun at a pajama party while demonstrating activities that happen in a particular order or sequence.

Rabbit's pajama party /
ISBN: 0064467228 OCLC: 39624966

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©1999.

A group of animal friends have fun at a pajama party while demonstrating activities that happen in a particular order or sequence.

Racing around /
ISBN: 0064462447 OCLC: 44509277

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : 2002.

Mike proves he can ride his bike 15 kilometers as he participates in a race around the park's perimeter.

Ready, set, hop! /
ISBN: 0064467023 OCLC: 32591208

HarperCollins, New York : ©1996.

Explains equation building as two frogs count their hops to a rock, a log, and a pond.

Rodeo time /
ISBN: 0060557796 OCLC: 57557365

HarperCollins, New York : ©2006.

As Katie and Cameron try to fit all of their chores and activities into one day, readers learn about the concept of making, and sticking to a schedule.

Room for Ripley /
ISBN: 0064467244 OCLC: 39398605

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©1999.

Uses a story about a young boy who is getting a fish bowl ready for his new pet to introduce various units of liquid measure.

Safari Park /
ISBN: 0064462455 OCLC: 45223633

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2002.

Five cousins each have twenty tickets to spend at Safari Park, and a little algebra will tell them how many rides they can try.

Same old horse /
ISBN: 0060557710 OCLC: 56922458

HarperCollins, New York : ©2005.

Hankie always does the same things at the same time. He even sneezes on schedule. The other horses tease him. What a bore! Hankie's determined to prove that he can be unpredictable if he wants to -- but can he? Or will he just end up being the same old Hankie? Horses, humor, and a great big sneeze all combine to explain how to look at past events and make predictions about the future, an important element of logical thinking.

  Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley enVisionMATH California :
ISBN: 0328344567 OCLC: 733315825

Pearson, Glenview, IL : [2009]

  Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley enVisionMATH California :
ISBN: 9780328344581 OCLC: 733344466

Pearson, Glenview, IL : [2009]

  Scrubba dub, Carlos /
ISBN: 1580894798 OCLC: 798498943

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2013.

Carlos learns the importance of washing his hands.

  Scrubba Dub.
ISBN: 1306389518 OCLC: 869525104

Charlesbridge, 2013.

Seaweed soup
ISBN: 0060280360 OCLC: 43185970

HarperCollins, New York : ©2001.

As he asks more and more friends to join him for lunch, Turtle must make up sets of dishes to accommodate them.

  Seaweed soup.
ISBN: 158669345X OCLC: 166883599

Childcraft Education Corp., [Lancaster, Pa.] : ©2007.

As he asks more and more friends to join him for lunch, Turtle must make up sets of dishes to accommodate them.

Shark swimathon
ISBN: 9780064467353 OCLC: 41320111

As members of a swim team do laps to qualify for swim camp, readers can practice subtracting two-digit numbers to see how many laps are left to go.

Sluggers' car wash /
ISBN: 006446248X OCLC: 45493451

HarperCollins, New York : ©2002.

When the 21st Street Sluggers, a baseball team, have a car wash to raise money, they learn to keep careful track of their dollars and cents.

Spunky monkeys on parade /
ISBN: 0064467279 OCLC: 38966012

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : 1999.

In the Monkey Day Parade, monkey majorettes, cyclists, tumblers, and band members create a spectacle as they move along in groups of two, three, and four.

Super sand castle Saturday /
ISBN: 0064467201 OCLC: 38831171

HarperCollinsPublishers, New York : 1999.

Introduces the concept of nonstandard measurement as three friends compete in a sand castle building contest.

Tally O'Malley /
ISBN: 0060531649 OCLC: 53215701

HarperCollins, New York : ©2004.

On a car trip to the beach, the O'Malley family children compete by playing games together.

The best bug parade
ISBN: 9780064467001 OCLC: 31900926

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©1996.

A variety of different bugs compare their relative sizes while going on parade.

The best vacation ever
ISBN: 9780064467063 OCLC: 33102515

HarperCollins, New York : ©1997.

A young girl uses data-collecting and problem-solving skills to determine where her family should go for a vacation.

The greatest gymnast of all /
ISBN: 006446718X OCLC: 38325691

HarperCollins, New York : ©1998.

While performing an energetic gymnastic routine, Zoe demonstrates such spatial opposites as on and off, inside and outside, and over and under.

The Grizzly Gazette /
ISBN: 0060000260 OCLC: 46791020

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2003.

At camp Grizzly, three campers are running to be elected camp mascot, encouraging readers to learn the mathematical principle of percentages.

The penny pot
ISBN: 006027607X OCLC: 37004419

The face painting booth at the school fair provides plenty of opportunities to count combinations of coins adding up to fifty.

The sundae scoop /
ISBN: 0064462501 OCLC: 46640771

HarperCollins, New York : ©2003.

At the picnic on the last day of school, James, his friends, and the cafeteria lady make a variety of ice cream sundaes, using mathematics to figure out how many different kinds they can create.

  The sundae scoop.
ISBN: 1586693468 OCLC: 166882101

Childcraft Education Corp, [Lancaster, Pa.] : ©2007.

At the picnic on the last day of school, James, his friends, and the cafeteria lady make a variety of ice cream sundaes, using mathematics to figure out how many different kinds they can create.

Too many kangaroo things to do!
ISBN: 9780064467124 OCLC: 32927173

HarperCollins, New York, NY : ©1996.

A surprise birthday party planned for a kangaroo by his friends provides many opportunities for the reader to add and multiply various things.

Treasure map /
ISBN: 0064467384 OCLC: 52943040

HarperCollins, New York : ©2004.

An old map leads the members of the Elm Street Kids' Club to a buried time capsule.

Write on, Carlos! /
ISBN: 1580894658 OCLC: 649077204

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2011.

With his mother's help, Carlos learns to write his name, as some of his friends can do.

  Write On.
ISBN: 1306394988 OCLC: 869525729

Charlesbridge, 2011.

 

 

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