Songju Ma Daemicke

Songju Ma Daemicke grew up in China. She is a former software engineer. Her book, Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant, is a Mathical Book Prize (opens new window) Honor book (Grade K-2), also a Best STEM book, The Winner of CALA Best Book (opens new window), Outstanding Science book, and Notable-Social-Studies Book. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and daughters. Visit her online at songjumadaemicke.com (opens new window).

2021 Festival

Mathical Reading: Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant

Songju Ma Daemicke reads her Mathical honor book (Grade K-2): Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant. How much does an elephant weigh? How would you know if you didn’t have a modern scale? Six-year-old Cao Chong, the most famous child prodigy in Chinese history, faced just this problem! Chong watches as the prime minister’s most trusted and learned advisors debate different methods. The principle of buoyancy and a little bit of creative thinking help this boy come up with a solution. Daemicke will also share some fun creative thinking and mathematics games and problems.