With summer break fast approaching, we all know that kids need to continue doing math and reading in order not to lose what they worked so hard to learn this past school year. What if they could do both?!
At Mathnasium of Littleton we love books that include math lessons! There are hundreds of math books for preschool children that focus on counting, but what about books and stories featuring math for older kids? Here are a few we like and what we like about them.
About Probability:
That’s a Possibility! by Bruce Goldstone
This book discusses the likelihood of different events occurring, such as picking a joker out of a full deck of cards. We like that it has bright pictures and sparks children's imagination with thinking about different possibilities. It introduces critical vocabulary, such as “certain” and “improbable.” It also has some experiments you can do at home to explore probability. Best for 1st – 3rd graders
It’s Probably Penny by Loreen Leedy
This book follows little Lisa throughout her day. She considers how likely different silly situations are. One example of a situation is, "who is the most probable thief of her sandwich?" She blames her lovable dog, Penny. Lisa likes to imagine about the impossible, but then chooses something that is “likely.” We like that it uses fun characters to introduce the idea of probability. Best for K – 2nd graders
About Addition
Mission Addition by Loreen Leedy
This book uses cartoons to explore various addition concepts such as the symbols used as well as the commutative property of addition. We like that it gives young children plenty of opportunity to think and discuss addition in a fun way. Best for K – 2nd graders
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes
This is an engaging story that has a fun little rhyme kids may enjoy saying together as you read. It is a great way to learn about the different ways to make 100. We like that it is not only a spirited and whimsical story, but also serves as an enjoyable visual introduction to math. Best for 1st - 3rd graders
About Subtraction
Panda Math: Learning about Subtraction from Hua Mei and Mei Sheng by Anne Whitehead Nagda with The San Diego Zoo
This book talks about how zookeepers at the San Diego zoo raised twin panda bear cubs, “Hua Mei” and “Mei Sheng,” during their first year of life. The book explores concepts of subtractions related to their growth and care. We like that it explores topics conceptually and shows regrouping visually. And, what’s not to love about pandas! Best for 1st – 3rd graders
Subtraction Action by Loreen Leedy
A scholarly hippo leads her class on a fun-filled adventure in numbers. Readers learn, along with Miss Prime's quirky students, about such important mathematical concepts as the definition of difference, writing a subtraction equation, regrouping, and three-digit equations. Best for K-2nd grade
Number Sense
A Million Dots by Mike Clements
This book shows one million dots so you get an idea of how much one million is. Along the way to a million it shows lots of other numbers and gives examples of how those numbers relate to facts and the number 1,000,000. We like it because understanding and visualizing large quantities is difficult. This book gives a tool for comprehending the difference between 100,000 and 1,000,000. Best for 2nd- 5th graders
How Much is a Million? By David M. Schwartz
This is a classic book that explores the concept of very large numbers. We like the illustrations by Steven Kellogg and the playful tone. Your kids won’t even realize they are thinking about math. Best for 1st – 3rd graders
About Fractions and Proportions
Polar Bear Math: Learning about Fractions from Klondike and Snow by Anne Whitehead Nagda and Cindy Bickel
This book talks about how zookeepers at the Denver zoo raised twin polar bear cubs, “Klondike” and “Snow,” during their first year of life. Since their mother abandoned them, it was up to the zookeepers to feed and care for the cubs. The book explores ratios, fractions, and proportions related to their growth and care. We like that it explores how fractions are used to solve real world problems. Plus, the cubs are just adorable and many of us grew up loving those adorable bears! Best for 3rd-5th graders
The Wishing Club by Donna Jo Napoli
The nighttime magic of a wishing star provides the framework for a realistic story about fractions. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous, and the story is just adorable. In this fraction tale, kids will learn about 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and adding fractions. Best for K-3rd grade
Pigs in the Pantry by Amy Axelrod
This book explores math involved in cooking. Not everything in this story teaches fractions but cooking uses a lot of fractions. Many recipes will involve fractions. Understanding fractions are especially important for cooking if you’re trying to double or halve a recipe. Best for 1st - 4th graders
Fraction Action by Loreen Leedy
This is another book on fractions. It doesn’t have a plot, but it is a fun and engaging way to introduce several fraction concepts. Best for K-3rd grade
Money Skills
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
This is a story of a family saving money to buy the mother a comfortable chair after a fire destroyed their home. We like it because it introduces the idea of saving and working together toward a goal. Best for 1st – 3rd graders
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst
This is the story of Alexander who gets a dollar and feels rich. After spending a nickel here and a dime there, his money dwindles. We like the book because we can relate to Alexander’s plight. Plus, it invites conversations about money and subtraction. Best for 2nd- 3rd graders
Shopping Trip Math by Katie Marisco
This book takes a look at various realistic shopping scenarios, like “buy one get one half off” sales. Little stories are added to the scenarios to make it more interesting. We like it because money skills are important for daily living, but a lot of children struggle with money. Best for 4th-6th graders
Word Problems
Ball Game Math by Katie Marisco
This book looks at how math is used in sports. We like it because it offers lots of opportunity to practice word problems. Using the context of sports makes the word problems more interesting for many kids. Best for 3rd-5th graders
Math on the Move by Katie Marisco
Old-fashioned word problems made fresh and new in this book. A diverse cast of children and adults face quandaries requiring readers to add, subtract, multiply, divide, or apply percentages or fractions to find a solution. Brief reminders of common math formulas are included within some problems. We like it because, the realistic scenarios are generally appealing and well constructed for math practice and learning sensible decision making in numerous aspects of daily life. Best for 3rd - 6th graders
Factorials
Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar by Masaichiro and Mitsumasa Anno
This book takes a look into an imaginary world where every object has more objects on it or in it. One island has two countries, each country has three mountains and every mountain has four kingdoms, and so on. At the end of the story there are 10 jars in every box. So the question is “How many jars were in all the boxes together?” We like this book because it explores the idea of factorials (1x2x3x4x5x6x7x8x9x10) in an imaginative way. Best for 4th-6th graders
Many Different Mathematical Topics
The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math by Sean Connolly
This fun book presents different dilemmas, like being on a broken aircraft travelling between Earth and Mars in the year 2133. Of course the solution to the problem is math, every time! We like this book because the scenarios are fun and imaginative. We also like that the book shows various strategies to solve the problem. Best for 6th-8th graders
How Math Works 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Wonders of Mathematics by Carol Vorderman
This is a must have activity and experiment book. Do one page every day of the summer vacation and not only will you spend lots of quality time with your kids, you will learn something too. We like this book because the variety of levels and the fun activities. Plus, it encourages math as a family bonding activity. Best for 3rd-8th graders
Especially for Girls
The cultural myth of girls not being “good at math” is a damaging identity trait that sadly gets passed down from adult women to young girls. The myth creates a trend of adolescent and teenage girls not reaching their full potential in math.
Luckily, there is a national movement to combat the myth. The series of books by the actress and published mathematician, Danica Mckellar, is sure to inspire young ladies anxious about math. We like the series because it is written in a witty, magazine style that young ladies will appreciate. The series includes:
Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail Best for struggling 7th-9th graders
Kiss my Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss Best for 7th-9th graders
Hot X: Algebra Exposed! Best for girls entering algebra
Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape Best for girls entering geometry
This list of math books is just a scratch of the surface among all the great, high quality books that incorporate or teach math concepts. If you want even more ideas, check out the lists at Math Geek Mama.
Do you have a favorite book that didn’t make the list? Please tell us. You may also want to look at our article about math movies for some summer fun!
Math books are a great supplement to support your child in math, however, great instruction is the best method for really learning math concepts, particularly if your child has struggled at all with math. We can help your child make sense of math. We have helped hundreds of other children.
Give us a call today 303-979-9077 and find out how we can help your child make sense of math!
Articles referenced in this post:
Confusing Math Vocabulary Frustrates Children and Parents
Learning Math Symbols in Elementary School Takes Time
Focus on Math: Proportional Thinking
Focus on Math: Learning About Money
Your Secret Weapon for Conquering the Dreaded Story Problem
What Happens to Your Child’s Brain Over Summer
10 Fun Ways to Incorporate Math During School Breaks
Something to Consider if Your Elementary Age Daughter Has a Female Math Teacher
Mathnasium of Littleton Encourages Girls and Young Women to Pursue STEM Opportunities
