A fascinating history of the number zero, exploring how different cultures and groups developed various representations over time. This book blends history with math, showing how zero is the result of centuries of cultural evolution and mathematical discovery. This is an excellent addition to public and school libraries, and a great resource to support for math classes.

The page layout in the ARC was a little wonky, but the story is informative and charming. Seems like a great non-fiction addition to any classroom.

This is an eye-opening and detailed history of the emergence and history of zero. Everything from the need and development to the role of specific mathematicians and cultural acceptance (or suspicion) are covered. Engaging illustrations accompany this informative and well-researched book. The author includes a time line and a list of math-related books for younger readers.

Thanks to Charlesbridge, Sarah Albee and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the digital arc.
Picture book history of the mathematical concept of “zero”, from the centuries before it existed to the present. Fascinating book which I wish I had read as a child, and also used with my students. Goes beyond the importance of zero to address of development arithmetic, geometry, algebra, calculus and a myriad of other subjects and science. Chris Hsu's illustrations are the perfect compliment to Albee's clear and concise text. Excellent back matter with definitions, timeline, and bibliography. Definitely add to your collection and share with parents, teachers, and students.

What an enchanting tale that captures the hearts of young readers! From the moment you open the book, you’re transported into a world. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, bursting with color and detail that complement the story beautifully. The storytelling is engaging and age-appropriate, with just the right balance of excitement and heart. Young readers will love following along.

This is a very interesting and informative children's book on how the number zero came to be. I like how the author builds up the story so you're engage to read it till the end. It will make you care about nothing (pun intended). There is not boring spot nor you'll find it wanting, narrative is greatly done. I also enjoyed the artwork and the "mascot" of this book. I wish it had more wit and quirk for some added fun. Nevertheless it's a great book for those who wants to know about zero in a fun and engaging way.

I am glad to see that Hindi-Arabic numeral systems and number zero got their picture book.
This is a well-illustrated non-fiction book suitable for young children and may be helpful for retaining information in older children. It is specifically on the number zero. Well-illustrated and accesible.

Don’t miss Zero! An excellent book for an excellent number!

A captivating history of the truly little number that has made all the difference for humankind. Incredibly well written with captivating details and insights into past civilizations. Zero’s challenges to make it into our daily lives isn't a story you'd want to miss. You won’t take this little number for granted ever again, what a brave number!

Thanks to NetGalley for sharing this DRC with me for an honest review.

Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn't by Sarah Albee is a delightful and informative exploration of the fascinating history of the number zero. Albee takes young readers on a fun journey through math and history, showcasing how this seemingly simple digit has a profound impact on our understanding of numbers and calculations. The writing is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts easy to grasp while still being entertaining. I loved the colorful illustrations and the way Albee infuses humor into the narrative, making learning about math feel like an adventure. This book is a fantastic resource for kids and a great way to spark curiosity about the world of numbers!

Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn't was absolutely fantastic. I thoroughly enjoy learning about the history and origins of various topics, so I was eager to read this as I have never thought to contemplate where zero came from and knew nothing of its origin. Zero! was full of excellent information presented simply and understandably. My young son read this along with me and found it fascinating, too. The art was well done, and I enjoyed the extra information and explanations on pages 36-39. This book would be the perfect addition to anyone's library - kid or not!

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlesbridge, and Sarah Albee for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this with my 6th grader today. We both loved the history and learned a lot. The illustrations are wonderful and the pace is great!

A simple introduction to the concept of zero. I am not a fan of maths and would actively steer clear of any 'mathematical concept' but this clearly lays it out and explores some of the cultural and historical elements. It did leave me wanting to know more about some of the number systems mentioned briefly!

The history of the development of zero in various cultures. I thought that this was a really well laid out history for kids! It was easy to understand and did a good job highlighting various cultures around the world.

A fascinating topic that probably isn't asked about very often, despite the fact that we deal with "zeroes" every day. Great details are paired together with colorful images, which make for what I think would be fun for families to read together. I think I'll be looking for this book when it publishes in-person, so that I may be able to see what the pages look like with full/proper formatting.

This was an extremely informative book about how the number zero came to be, and all of the bumps along the road and history of how numbers were recorded throughout time and in different cultures!

The explanations are short and concise, but spare no important details to share the story of zero.

A great way you to make the concept of “nothing” more concrete for elementary grade students.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for sharing a copy of this book for me to review.