The Emperor's Army - Hardcover

Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

Virginia Walton Pilegard wrote The Warlord's Puzzle as part of a teaching unit that uses informal geometry to strengthen students' visual learning abilities. Mrs. Pilegard studied elementary mathematics and completed both a B.A. and M.A. in Education. She then went on to teach elementary grades and in juvenile correction schools.

Adrian Tans is an accomplished artist who also enjoys traveling. He is the illustrator of Pelican's Pirate Treasure Hunt!, Witches' Night Before Halloween, and Kick the Cowboy. Tans lives in Woodstock, Vermont.

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[Front Flap]

"This book explains to children why the terra-cotta warriors were made and buried while demonstrating the value of an education. Author Virginia Pilegard breathes life into Chinese history, and Adrian Tans' well-researched paintings add vitality to this outstanding children's book."
-Angelica Carpenter, curator, Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature

"Once again, Virginia Pilegard perfectly blends history and mathematics."
-Jonathan Dueck, mathematics coordinator, Fresno County Office of Education

During the rule of China's first emperor, a wise scholar and his young son spend their time studying and reading books. But their carefree days suddenly come to an end. As academic books are burned and skilled artists disappear, the young boy begins to suspect that the emperor may be behind these atrocities.
His suspicions are confirmed when he stumbles upon a mighty army of statues. Each clay statue is adorned with brightly colored clothes and armed with gleaming weapons of the finest alloy. With help from his father and an exercise in mathematics, the inquisitive boy unearths the mystery of the terra-cotta militia.
Offering a mathematics lesson and a recipe for creating clay figurines, this children's book masterfully infuses education with a page-turning plot. Illustrations inspired by ancient China will ignite the imaginations of young readers.

[Back Flap]

Through knowledge gleaned from extensive research and trips to China, Virginia Walton Pilegard successfully lends authenticity to this children's book. A member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the California Reading Association, and the California Mathematics Council, she is the author of the critically acclaimed Warlord's Series, which includes The Warlord's Alarm, The Warlord's Fish, The Warlord's Kites, The Warlord's Messengers, The Warlord's Puppeteers, The Warlord's Puzzle, and The Warlord's Beads. The latter two books were Book Sense 76 selections in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Pilegard lives in California.
Adrian Tans is the illustrator of Pelican's Pirate Treasure Hunt!, Witches' Night Before Halloween, and Kick the Cowboy. His stunning artwork has been displayed in a variety of venues. Tans resides in Woodstock, Vermont, with his family.