We all know how important it is for kids to learn mathematical concepts. However, we’re also aware that most kids end up disliking math. Some feel overwhelmed and intimidated, while others find it boring. One awesome way to prevent these attitudes from developing is to surround kids with math from a very young age. From counting their toys to educational animations with a math theme, kids will grow up feeling that math is an integral part of their daily life. This is why we love math books for kids! They’re such a great addition to all children’s shelves as they introduce math to the youngest readers and keep older children motivated.
In this article, we’ll cover our favorite math books! We’ll start with picture books and basic math concepts, then continue to more advanced mathematical concepts, and finally, cover inspirational stories, fostering love and excitement toward math! Let’s go.
Basic Math Books for Kids
Children who’ve just started to read can be introduced to math with fun and stimulating picture books that teach about numbers, counting to ten, basic shapes (geometry), measurements, and so much more, according to their individual progress!
Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra
Counting Crocodiles is a cute and funny storybook about a monkey who lives on a small island. On the island, there’s only one lemon tree and a very tempting banana tree that grows on an island close to the monkey. Unfortunately, the sea between the islands is deep and there are crocodiles lurking. What will the monkey do? Can the monkey trick the crocodiles, so he can get to the bananas? Let your child find out! This is an absolute favorite book to so many families!
Who is it for?
This is a book for kids from 4 to 7 years old who are learning how to count to 10.
100 Bugs!: A Counting Book by Kate Narita
Another picture book with fun illustrations that teaches kids how to count! However, unlike the first recommendation, Narita’s book teaches kids how to count up to 100. The book is about two little explorers who have adventures and discover new kinds of bugs – 10 bugs at a time. Kids will learn ten different species of bugs and learn how to count to 100 before the little explorers’ adventure finishes.
Who is it for?
This book is targeted toward children around the age of 5 and up. However, it’s a great option for everyone who has just learned to count to ten and is ready to take on new challenges.
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander and Wayne Geehan
This one is a teacher’s pick as well as one of our favorite books about geometry. Why? Well, not only it introduces shapes in a fun way while telling a captivating story, but it also enriches children’s vocabulary through amusing wordplay techniques and puns! The main characters of the book are Join Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius. King Arthur calls his strongest and bravest knights to dine together and talk strategy in case of a war, but there’s a problem! The table doesn’t fit! Now, Join Sir Cumference with the help of the carpenter, Geo of Metry, who must come up with a solution and design a table with a shape that equally positions all the knights!
Who is it for?
This book is for children around the age of 8 to 12 years old who are ready to learn about different shapes, their names, and their basic properties (geometry).
Fractals, Googols, and Other Mathematical Tales by Theoni Pappas
Just as the name suggests, Fractals, Googols, and Other Mathematical Tales is a collection of interesting stories, each focusing on a different mathematical concept. For instance, you’ll read about Leonhard the magic turtle, and the number line that fell apart. With this book, kids will explore math in an amusing and entertaining way while learning about real numbers, exponents, dimensions, the golden rectangle, and many other math topics.
Who is it for?
Although targeted as a book for children of all ages and backgrounds, we recommend this book for children above the age of 7 or 8, so they can truly understand the concepts behind the stories.
What’s Your Angle Pythagoras? By Jullie Ellis
Another adventure book takes kids on a journey from Samos to Alexandria, where they’ll meet a builder named Neferheperhersekeper, who will teach the children about the right angle. We like this book because it finds a way to teach kids about the Pythagorean Theorem, how to measure angles, and different types of triangles. With this book, you won’t hear kids asking “but, where will I use this?” as the book itself contextualizes geometry with captivating stories about building cities, but also keeps kids’ attention with wordplay and playful puns.
Who is it for?
This is a book for children around the ages of 7 to 10 years old and useful for students from the 3rd to 5th grade.
Fractions, Decimals, and Percents by David A. Adler
You might think fractions, decimals, and percents are complex concepts that might confuse young readers, but this book makes everything fun and engaging. The story revolves around a county fair where kids will get an opportunity to learn how to boost their batting average in the arcade or share an equal part of the winning prize with their friends. David A. Adler is a math teacher, who wrote the book in response to his success in the classroom against the stereotype that fractions are hard!
Who is it for?
This book is for children from the age of 6 to 9 years old or students in the second to fourth grade. However, keep in mind that before introducing this book, kids need to know how to count and perform basic arithmetic operations.
A Very Improbable Story by Edward Einhorn
Ethan is a young boy who one day woke up with a cat named Odds on his head. The cat wouldn’t leave the boy alone until he played the game of probability. Will Ethan finish the game in time for his soccer match? Let your child find out while learning about probabilities and chance.
Who is it for?
“A Very Improbable Story” is a great read for children around the ages of 7 to 10 or students from the second to the fifth grade.
Why Pi?: How Math Applies to Everyday Life by Johnny Ball
Another book, another math concept! This time, we’re teaching kids how to apply concepts like measurements to solve problems. Johnny Ball’s book “Why Pi?” is a fantastic story about the importance of understanding and using math in everyday life. The book is filled with fun games, puzzles, brainteasers, and fun facts that make kids smile.
Who is it for?
This is another book for kids of all ages, but we find it to be especially useful for kids who’ve already started learning maths in school. This way, they’ll see how the concepts they’ve just learned are used in daily life.
Everyday Math Practice: 1000+ Questions You Need to Kill in Middle School by Brain Hunter Prep
Our final recommendation for this section is probably the most comprehensive book that aims to prepare kids for middle school. The book, which is technically a practice workbook, contains more than 1000 questions covering a wide range of mathematical concepts learned in elementary school. In fact, it’s been created by certified elementary school teachers and has received numerous awards and recognitions for its use in education.
Who is it for?
While this is a great practice book for kids of all ages, the target is kids who prepare to start with middle school. Grades: 6-8.
Advanced Math Books for Kids
In this section, we’ll share a couple of math books for kids that cover the more advanced or complex topics and their application in daily life, but are still very fun, easy to read, and designed for children. Some of the books focus on a specific topic, while others inspire kids through relatable stories.
Short Mysteries You Solve with Math! (One Minute Mysteries) by Eric Yoder and Natalie Yoder
The first math book for kids in this section is Eric and Natalie’s famous mystery book with stories that are only solvable with math! To keep kids engaged, the stories are short and very easy to follow, while the brainteasers are entertaining and help kids develop their logic and reasoning skills. Moreover, all the stories are relatable, which means they allow kids to draw connections with the real world and see how math beyond arithmetic operations is used practically.
Who is it for?
This math book is most suited for kids over 10 years old, but if your little one has a passion for math, you can give it a try as we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.
Change Is the Only Constant: The Wisdom of Calculus in a Madcap World by Ben Orlin
Calculus, or the study of continuous change, is one of the most notorious topics in math. However, we believe that with the right math book in hand, even calculus can draw kids to math. This is especially true when we have an author like Orlin, who uses this book to show us how much calculus is misunderstood. With humor and cute “bad” drawings, he teaches kids that calculus is just another language to express the things we face daily – in this case, change. If your child is ready to learn calculus, don’t think twice about buying this wonderful book.
Who is it for?
While designed to appeal to kids, “Change Is the Only Constant” is one of those maths books that can appeal to everyone!
A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science by Barbara Oakley
When it comes to math books for kids, this is another must-read! Not because it unravels another complex math concept extraordinarily well, but because it teaches kids one of the most important things, and that is – learning how to learn! We won’t deny that math or science are challenging topics, but with the right tools and effective learning strategies, the challenges are going to be a motive for trying harder. Pick up this math book for kids and students to help them tackle elaborate math problems with ease.
Who is it for?
All children and students who would benefit from building an effective strategy for learning advanced math and science concepts.
Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker
Next, we have Matt Parker’s bestseller titled “Humble Pi.” The reviews for this book speak for themselves, but a common theme is its captivating nature. Kids won’t be able to put this book down, which is very understandable considering Parker is a stand-up comedian and math lover. More specifically, he dedicates his time to exploring all sorts of mishaps (from trivial to very serious) that have happened because of math errors. Fortunately, Parker’s hobby is a great way to show kids just how important math is in the real world and how much we rely on it.
Who is it for?
“Humble Pi” is a fun math book that kids of all ages would enjoy, but in order to understand the concepts behind the stories, we recommend it for kids above 10 years old.
Proofs in Competition Math (vol. 1) by Alexander Toller, Dennis Chen, Freya Edholm
One big problem in math classes is that a lot of kids who get good grades are actually memorizing formulas instead of truly understanding the meaning behind functions. But maths is not about memory skills, it’s about logic, reason, and problem-solving. This clever math book for kids aims to address this exact problem. “Proofs in Competition Math” argues that learning proofs should be above anything else as it’s a way for kids to understand math’s importance and its elegance.
Who is it for?
This one is for students who need to contextualize and understand the meaning behind complex mathematical functions in order to understand them.
Inspirational Math Books for Kids
In our last section, we’ll share four books that are not classic math books dealing with mathematical concepts, but rather books about mathematicians, math lovers, and characters who present math in a positive light. We believe that while not directly teaching math, these books are very important as they motivate kids to study math and show them that math is actually cool!
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne
We can’t start this section without talking about Berne’s “On a Beam of Light.” With a perfect 5 rating on Amazon, we can’t help but share the feeling! It’s a perfect book for children because it lets them identify with a central figure in mathematics, Albert Einstein, as a curious, imaginative, young boy who questions everything around him and grows up to become one of the most brilliant minds in history. More than that, we have only compliments for the writing style and tone of voice that captures the reader’s attention.
Who is it for?
Everyone! This is a book that should be available in every math classroom, and if it’s not, then as a parent you can definitely buy it for your child.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly by Margot Lee Shetterly
If the name “Hidden Figures” sounds familiar, then that’s because Hollywood brought this story to the screens in 2016. While we applaud this step, for kids it might be more memorable and a personal experience to read the book by Margot Lee Shetterly. “Hidden Figures” is a must-read for all children, but is especially a valuable read for girls who aspire to make a career in the STEM field. It tells another side of history that we don’t usually hear about, unfortunately. It’s about three African-American female mathematicians who played a crucial role in sending NASA astronauts into space.
Who is it for?
An informative and eye-opening book, “Hidden Figures” is another great book for everyone, regardless of gender and age.
Genius: The Game by Leopoldo Gout
Gout tells a story about three characters in their teenage years who meet at the competition called “Zero Hour” where 200 geniuses from around the world try to win the ultimate prize. However, for the main characters, life is a lot more complicated than it seems. It’s easy to get pulled into the world of these three young children as their life is incredibly exciting and filled with mysteries. Yet, math is what they share together.
Who is it for?
“Genius” is a book for teenagers who love to read mysteries and novels, but also enjoy math or might need a little bit more motivation while learning for their maths exams.
Infinite Powers: How Calculus Reveals the Secrets of the Universe by Steven Strogatz
The last book we’ll share with you in our “Math Books for Kids” list is the inspiring “Infinite Powers” by Steven Strogatz. A New York Times Bestseller and on the shortlist for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2019, “Infinite Powers” tells the history of calculus through the fascinating discoveries that shaped our society and made our world what it is today. It’s appealing to kids because it answers questions such as “How did we figure out how to put 5,000 songs in our pockets?” or “How did we know how to make TV and cell phones?” Every child is curious, and this book wonderfully plays on that curiosity offering educational and inspiring answers.
Who is it for?
“Infinite Powers” is most suitable for high school or pre-high school students who are curious and would love to know how stuff works.
Before You Go
To be completely honest, there are so many other math books for kids which we would’ve loved to include in our article! Living in a decade where access to knowledge and educational resources is easier than ever, we have an abundance of high-quality books for kids, exploring complex topics from different aspects and making them more appealing to kids. Therefore, don’t think about it too much, but shower your child with many awesome books that will promote the development of their vocabulary, teach them new things, and inspire them to pursue their passions.
In the meantime, make sure to check out our website and browse through our growing library of worksheet packs, which can be a great addition to your journey on fostering love toward math and science.
Finally, don’t forget to visit our blog and see what else we’ve been writing for you! And, if you like our content, please subscribe to our newsletter, so you don’t miss out on anything!
P.S. If you’re a math teacher and want to have every aspect of your curriculum and planning taken care of for the whole year, from 3rd Grade right up to PreCalculus, head on over to Math Teacher Coach to rescue your time.
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