Picture books provide a wonderful vehicle for introducing more complex topics in a matter of fact way. In the case of math, there are authors who are writing interesting and innovative stories to get kids interested in the subject.
The first book I profiling this week is from a series that takes math concepts and makes them understandable for kids ... no really. The second is about Paul Erdos, a well known mathematician from Budapest, although well known is perhaps a relative term. This biography will actually get kids interested in the life of a mathematician ... no really.
To see all my books that make math fun, visit my website at www.onegreatbook.com
Title: Sir Cumference and the Off-the-Charts Deserts
Author: Cindy Neuschwander
Target: All ages
Series: Yes
What this book is about:
This series follows Sir Cumference on his journey to unwittingly understand math. In this story he needs a baker to prepare a special desert for the fair. Two bakers enter into a competition to see who makes the best delicacies, Pia of Chartres and Bart Graph. Of course in order to tally their votes for various treats, Pia prepares a pie chart and Bart a bar graph. But the real question is, of course, if the townspeople want custard pie or ginger cookies!
Why I love this book:
This whole series of books is just delightful. Sir Cumference explores circles, triangles, number grouping, perimeter and area, to name a few. I see so many books trying to disguise math in a story, but kids are on to them. This series embraces the math in a clever and unapologetic way, and it works!
I also rarely see books that are able to take these concepts and distill them down in an easy to understand format. Cindy Neuschwander does just that. To top it off, the story and the illustrations are actually fun so these books don’t feel like someone is trying to teach you something, but instead as if you are discovering the concept on your own.
Who this book is for:
I think most kids, whether math lovers or not, will enjoy this series of books.
Final thoughts:
Can’t wait to see what math concept she tackles next!
