Z is for Zero the Hero: Library Notes

 

This book uses humour to talk about how we can feel empty when we do not know our value and our place in the world. When people do not see our worth, they often puff themselves up and put us down. They can look at the situation from many angles and come to the same conclusion. However, we all have a purpose and it is inevitable that the day will come when we are needed and wanted, when we are the only ones suitable to fulfill our role in the world. On this day, others will come to value us for our unique place in the world. They will appreciate us in a new way. I think this book will help children to recognize their value and worth, even when it is not yet recognized by others. I think it will encourage children to hold on to that hope within.

The book has Zero questioning his role as a hero. We may not all come to the place where we are at hero level but knowing that others appreciate you does a lot to fill a person's 'bucket'. For Zero, it brought him joy. 

Even in a cartoon book that is meant to use humour, the jokes against Zero are actually sad and reflect the reality of the world's attacks against us. They laughed at his looks, at his low value, at his dependence on others for merit and the fact that he was not clearly identifiable as an individual. It is sad to hear even a fictional character be teased and brought low in this manner. For me, it makes me feel angry but for children who tend to talk to others in this way, it is a humorous attempt to help them see how hurtful words can be.  Thankfully, at the end of the book we see the flip side of the coin and the numbers all praise him and sincerely celebrate Zero as they realize he is a very valuable friend.

This book is not only a social lesson, it also teaches practical math concepts. It helps children to see where zero fits into the scheme of math. It may not have much of an impact at all in adding or subtracting but it can make numbers disappear with multiplication. Zero allows odd numbers to become even and allows numbers to have more value when joined with it. Together they are better. The book also introduces roman numerals so it is a fun look at number values for children. Personalizing the numbers, giving them a personality, is a fun literary technique used in this book but overall it is the knowledge of math that tells the story of Zero and his value that makes him a hero!