Have you ever thought about using picture books to learn math with your child? Children of all ages love stories and they are a friendly way to engage in math talk about numbers and other mathematical concepts. The visual displays can help children understand the math and the story line helps them connect math to their everyday life.
Using picture books to explore math can:
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Help children learn mathematical concepts and skills
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Provide children with a meaningful context for learning mathematics
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Supports children’s development and use of mathematical language and communication
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Help children learn mathematical problem solving, reasoning, and thinking
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Provide children with a richer view of the nature of mathematics
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Provide children with improved attitudes towards mathematics.
Integrating children's literature and mathematics in the classroom: Children as meaning makers, problem solvers, and literary critics Schiro (1997)
Sometimes it’s hard to find the math in books, here are a few concepts you can talk about when reading the following books:
Mice on Ice by Eleanor May
Albert and his friends go skating and are making shapes in the ice with their skates. This story highlights the names of shapes and the properties that describe them.
Math Curse by Jon Scieszka
When Mrs. Fibonacci, the math teacher, tells the class that you can think of almost everything as a math problem, one of her students feels that he is cursed when he starts creating math problems out of his everyday life. This funny story will help children make connections to the many ways they engage in math problem solving on a daily basis.
“IF, scales down or shrinks huge events, spaces and times by comparing them to everyday objects that children understand.” This book engages readers in proportional reasoning and encourages older children to discuss complex world topics.
Other books that have strong math connections
Primary Books:
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Albert is Not Scared by Eleanor May
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Spaghettis and Meatballs: A Mathematical Story for All by Marilyn Burns
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Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
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One by Kathryn Otoshi
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Counting on Frank by Rod Clement
Junior/Intermediate Books:
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Fractions in Disguise: A Math Adventure by Edward Einhorn
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Infinity and Me by Kate Hosford
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One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi
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Anno’s Magic Seeds by Mitsumasa Anno
For more books please visit:
To find out what your child will learn in math this year or to find other fun activities that you can do together as a family, please visit our Math page. Be sure to also try our Problem of the Month.