Books by Theme
Count, Think, and Play with Math
Math. If you know what you're looking for, it can be seen all around. Some people think it's a curse, others think it's grand. But we all need and use it! No matter how you feel about it, you'll find something about math to learn or laugh about or just enjoy as you read the books suggested here.
7 x 9 = Trouble!
Wilson, a third grader, struggles with multiplication. He wishes he were as smart as the other kids in his class, or even his little brother, Kipper, who is a kindergarten math wiz. Wilson perseveres, however, and not only passes his times table test but gains a pet!
Annika Riz, Math Whiz
Annika wants her math-hating friends to enjoy math as much as she does. Feeding answers to math problems to friends hurts more but using math to save the class carnival is another story! Recognizable characters identifiable situations make a plausible, engaging school story.
Bedtime Math 2: This Time It's Personal
Playful situations from familiar situations and activities make math come alive. Questions for "wee ones", "little" and "big kids" as well as bonuses make this humorously illustrated bedtime book fun at any time of the day. It's a follow-up to Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late.
Circle Square Moose
Moose and his friend Zebra (from Z is for Moose), are back, this time changing shapes, recognizing geometric shapes all around, and generally causing chaos within the pages of the book. Spirited illustrations create a witty tone for this engaging and surprisingly informative book.
Count on the Subway
Join a mother and child as they count from one to ten and back again on New York's subway. Their iconic journey, told through bold, bright colored forms and simple text, starts with "1 MetroCard, Momma and me" and continues until they arrive at "1 station, central and grand."
Countablock
Transformations begin with one (1) acorn that becomes one oak tree with a turn of the sturdy page. They continue on to 100 puzzle pieces that, when put together, become one big puzzle. Boldly colors and die cuts create an effective and intriguing introduction to counting from 1 to 100.
Math Curse
The narrator's curse begins when she is told by her math teacher that math is all around. And so it is — including every part of this very funny book as it examines math and its functions. Text and illustration are seamlessly one allowing the book to be appreciated on several levels.
Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action
When ten mice start their day, they engage in routine activities — always equaling 10. Lively verbiage and numerical equations combine with animated illustrations to present the rodents' antics (e.g., "10 mice wake.9 mice tidy. 1 mouse somersaults. 9+1=10").
Numbers
Raised shapes correspond with die-cuts on sturdy board to present objects and numbers from 1 to 10. Bright colors and broad shapes use limited language to proffer foundational math concepts while providing different ways to perceive them. The same approach is used in Shapes, another offering in this attractive series.
Triangles
Everything one needs to know about triangles and angles is presented in a brief but informative and upbeat manner, all colorfully illustrated. A few triangle experiments are clearly delineated and illustrated and sure to engage and may lead to other activities.
Wing Wing Brothers Geometry Palooza
Walter, Wendell, Woody, and Wilmer Wing Wing, feathered siblings, share comic adventures beginning with their first amazing feat, "Describing Relative Positions" (in front, behind, etc.). They continue by composing simple shapes, and conclude by partitioning a rectangle into equal parts. While wacky, the Wing Wings's exploits enliven basic math concepts and vocabulary.
Proceeds from the sale of books purchased at Amazon.com help support the Reading Rockets project. Thank you!
Our Literacy Blogs
