Book Finder

Math is all around when the Bird brothers, Woody, Willy, Wilmer, Wendell and Walter compete at games, eat hot dogs, and ride the Ferris wheel at a carnival. Comic illustrations combine with words and numerals to highlight the brothers’ alliterative tale while illuminating basic math concepts.

Intriguing questions introduce the notion of possibility and its opposite which leads to the introduction of mathematical probability. Activities and games to test the chances of something happening involve coins, cards and more to bring the concepts into clear, recognizable and highly appealing focus.

A boy recalls when he was “frightened by numbers” with an “allergic reaction/to multiplication  … addition … subtraction.” The narrator ultimately diminishes his fear and the creepy clown-like monster when he realizes how important and fun math can be. Richly-hued illustrations for this cautionary tale are oversized, sitting atop the rhyming text.

Zebra wants to create a traditional counting book but his buddy, Musk Ox, is not cooperating at all! Instead, Musk Ox adds and subtracts animals, much to Zebra’s chagrin but sure to delight readers while challenging their counting and visual acuity! This is a worthy and equally funny companion to A is for Musk Ox (Roaring Brook, 2012).

Simple rhymes combine with crisp, uncluttered photographs to ask (and answer visually as well as with numerals) simple questions that are answered with subtraction. Number sentences (e.g., 8 - 2=6) are also included for each as are clever asides or additional information on each double page spread.

Paul Erdos grew up in Hungary and was always an unusual child. He enjoyed numbers, was inept at everyday activities (like tying his shoes), and hated rules but grew up to be a famous mathematician. Witty illustrations and a fluid narrative (which imbeds mathematical language), and fascinating author and illustrator notes introduce this mathematically gifted man.

Math is not only all around but everyday goings-on make thinking mathematically fun. Activities of varying difficulty (wee ones, little kids, big kids) use the familiar — from dogs to ketchup — to present intriguing math questions to solve, all humorously illustrated. Answers are discreetly placed on each page with additional information for adults at the end.

In one lifetime, creatures presented will grow or show one behavior repeatedly. Limited text combines with textured illustration to reveal these estimates from one papery spider egg sac to a thousand baby seahorses. Animal and math information conclude this unique glimpse of animals.

Well-known poems are recast as puzzlers that can only be solved by using math. From easy to difficult, math and poems are sure to delight both mathematicians and poetry lovers.

As a child, he was a late talker but as he grew up, Albert Einstein never stopped asking questions. The man whose ideas and questions changed the world is presented in engaging, child-like illustrations and easy but surprisingly informative text.

Trixie TEN tires of her noisy nine siblings, from pink, sneezy Wanda ONE to Nathaniel NINE who likes to roar like a lion and so longs for a quiet place. Characters, created from fingerprints and lines, are sure to engage children and may inspire aspiring illustrators.

Whether or not the primates introduced from 1 to 10 are familiar, readers are sure to appreciate meeting them in arresting portraits. A self-portrait of the illustrator other humans are accompanied by concluding text: “All primates. All one family. All my family … and yours!”

Meet marine animals in lush photographs and informative, straightforward text. Count familiar and lesser known sea animals from 1 to 10 and learn more from factual back matter.

Travel by air begins with one sign for the airport, all the way up to 33,000 feet in the air, ending with one happy meeting. Stylized illustrations and simple text me present what can be seen from start to finish.

Count colorful butterflies in natural settings in this small, sturdy, attractively illustrated concept book. Each of the colorful ten butterflies is identified by name on the back cover.

Circles, squares, triangles, ovals and stars are all around! The rhyming text incorporates Spanish words which are defined in illustrations reminiscent of folk art. A glossary of Spanish words concludes this engaging glimpse into Mexican culture.

Basic geometry is introduced in this story about children who accompany their parents on a trip to Egypt. A word wall of geometric shapes and terms would enhance a math study.

Terms and comparisons to describe numbers are presented in an engaging story from which word wall content could be developed and expanded.

Two boys meet and develop a friendship. Readers will gain meaning and be able to read expressively from the animated presentation (in typeface and color as well as placement) of simple words which are ideal to read aloud in tandem. (Children can describe not only plot but attributes - characteristics and characterization - of the 2 boys. A discussion of language and how we greet our friends as well could take this into a social skills direction.)

Chimps from one to ten counting sneak out to dance their rhyming way around and through this very funny counting book.

Over in the meadow live animals and their young – from one to 10. The predictable pattern is made memorable with intricate illustration and repetition in this ageless rendition of a familiar counting ditty.

It’s hard to resist babies and baby toes which are “a hundred times sweeter than one could suppose.” A sweet, rhyming homage to babies, families, and a lifetime of affection is presented here with textured, softly colored illustrations.

One snowboy all alone begins the count to 10 then reverses to count down to where it started. Computer-generated art is colorful with patterned, wintery icons and images. The sound of language and the interesting visuals make the counting — and the book — satisfying.

When a downcast magpie is given a single marble by a mouse, it starts its accumulation of many more things until its nest crashes to the ground. Magpie and mouse determine that more isn’t necessarily best. Their tale is told with few words but lush, detailed, and expressive illustrations.