We’re fond of saying that, just as parents read with their children, they should also “math” with their children. Why? Families who engage with their children mathematically improve their children’s enjoyment, motivation, and achievement in math.
Incorporating books that include math into your child’s reading list is an easy way to start doing math together. To help in this effort, we compiled a list of books that both you and your children can enjoy at home. Books are grouped by age range, six books each, with helpful tips for approaching reluctant teens.
Ages 6-8: Imaginative Play
Children this age love to use their imagination and play games, so we included books with stories or games in this age group.
1. "Ten for Me" by Barbara Mariconda
This book uses a story to show how to use tally marks, show data collection, and combinations of 10.
2. "Do Not Open this Math Book" by Danica McKellar
Children cannot resist “disobeying” the front cover. Once they open the book, they learn and enjoy the cartoons of Mr. Mouse and the author.
3. "Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday" by Judith Viorst
As you read about Alexander’s disappearing “fortune,” help your child figure out how much money he has left.
4. "A Million Dots" by Mike Clements
This picture book shows what a thousand and a million look like, giving kids a way to conceptualize large quantities.
5. "Annika Riz, Math Whiz" by Claudia Mills
This short chapter book uses a fun character who notices that math is all around her.
6. "The Sunday Scoop" by Stuart J. Murphy
Kids love this book because it talks about a favorite food. We love it because introduces the concept of combinations.
Ages 9-11: Humorous Math Tales
Children this age are developing a sophisticated sense of humor. They are also learning some difficult math concepts, such as negative numbers, fractions and decimals. These books illustrate these concepts in a humorous way.
1. "Piece=Part=Portion/Fractions=Decimals=Percents" By Scott Gifford
The pictures show the challenging concept “wholes and parts” in unique ways.
2. "Less than Zero" by Stuart J. Murphy
This simple story introduces negative numbers in a way that is easy to understand.
3. "The Monster who Did My Math" by Danny Shnitzlein
This story illustrates how succeeding in math takes practice and a good attitude.
4. "A Very Improbable Story" by Edward Einhorn
The premise of this story is—as the title suggests—improbable. A boy, and the cat stuck on his head, discover that life is full of probability problems.
5. "How Many Guinea Pigs Can Fit on a Plane?" by Laura Overdeck
Kids who love to ask, “What would happen if …?” will love this book. The math questions in this book (and the related series) are ridiculous, and that appeals to this age group.
6. "Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi — A Math Adventure" by Cindy Neuschwander
This book is full of delightful characters with “punny” names. The main character goes on a quest in which he must figure out how to measure a circle.
Ages 12-14: Acknowledging their Maturing Minds
Pre-teens and teens have moved beyond having math as part of a story. We choose books that make math fun, not like extra schoolwork.
1. "Kiss my Math — Show Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss" by Danica McKellar
This book uses a format and style resembling a teen fashion magazine to explain math concepts.
2. "The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Moonstone"
3. "The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency: The Case of the Girl in Grey"
These are the first two books in a four-part series by Jordan Stratford, which imagines an alternate history in which Ada Lovelace (the world’s first computer programmer) and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein) meet as girls and form a secret detective agency.
4. "How Math Works: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Wonders of Mathematics" by Carol Vorderman
5. "Math and Logic Puzzles that Make Kids Think" by Jeffrey Wanko
6. "300+ Mathematical Pattern Puzzles" by Chris McMullen
Working as a team to solve the puzzles in these books will stretch you and your child to think in innovative ways.
Ages 15 and up: Ask their Opinion
Older teenagers are ready to explore math in ways beyond what they hear in a high school math class.
If your teen is unaccustomed to reading with you, you may need a new approach. Try picking out one of the books from this list, and start reading it or doing the puzzles yourself. As you come across an interesting idea or a challenging puzzle, read that section out loud to your teenager. Ask them for their opinion on what they just heard. These discussions may spark their curiosity about the book. Leave the book where they can see it, so they can pick it up if they feel inspired.
1. "The Moscow Puzzles: 359 Mathematical Recreations" by Boris Kordemsky
This classic puzzle book has entertained high school students from around the world for many years.
2. "The Teen Money Manual—A Guide to Cash, Credit, Spending, Saving, Work, Wealth and More" by Kara McGuire
3. "The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens — 8 Steps to Having More Money than your Parents Ever Dreamed of" by David Gardner and Tom Gardner
The two books above help teens understand the fundamentals of managing money wisely.
4. "The (Fabulous) Fibonacci Numbers" by Alfred Posamentier and Ingmar Lehmann
5. "Here’s Looking at Euclid—A Surprising Excursion Through the Astonishing World of Math" by Alex Bellos
6. "Finding Zero" by Amir D. Aczel
These three books explore historical, philosophical and creative aspects of math.
Many of the books on this list have authors who wrote several books about math. If you and your child enjoy a book by a particular author, or if you can’t find a particular title, try another book by that author.
Are you ready to start? Grab a book, snuggle up, and get started on a great math book adventure with your children!