The Best of Times: Math Strategies that Multiply


Greg Tang - 2002
    In simple rhymes, Tang explains the fundamentals of how each number from 1 to 10 works. His poem "Four Eyes," for example, explains how any number multiplied by four can be merely doubled twice: "Four is very fast to do, when you multiply by 2. Here's a little good advice -- please just always double twice!" He then goes on to explain: "What is 4x4? It's 4 doubled twice. Double once: 4+4=8. Double twice: 8+8=16," and he even provides extra challenge questions below. All of his poems and problems are just as easy (e.g., a number times 6 is tripled, then doubled; a number times 9 is multiplied by 10, then subtracted once), and the book is rounded out with full practice tables in the back.Tang provides children with an excellent lesson, helping them make sense of daunting math without a bombardment of complicated rules. Kids will cheer his winsome presentation, which is wonderfully complemented by Harry Brigg's computer illustrations of animals cavorting around and having fun. Both practical and pleasing, The Best of Times is math that'll help make homework and tests a breeze. Matt Warner

The Greedy Triangle


Marilyn Burns - 1994
    Delighted with his new career opportunities--as a TV screen and a picture frame--he decides the more angles the better, until an accident teaches him a lesson. Includes special teaching section. Full color.

2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories


Loreen Leedy - 1995
    A table is included.

Math Curse


Jon Scieszka - 1995
    Is there enough time? You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can you make 1 good outfit? Then you start to wonder: Why does everything have to be such a problem? Why do 2 apples always have to be added to 5 oranges? Why do 4 kids always have to divide 12 marbles? Why can't you just keep 10 cookies without someone taking 3 away? Why? Because you're the victim of a Math Curse. That's why. But don't despair. This is one girl's story of how that curse can be broken.

How Much Is a Million?


David M. Schwartz - 1985
    It's a math class you'll never forget.This classic picture book is an ALA Notable Book, a Reading Rainbow Feature Selection, and a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Book for Illustration.The repackage of this fun look at math concepts includes a letter from the author that features several ways for children to find a million everyday things.

One Hundred Hungry Ants


Elinor J. Pinczes - 1993
    . . until they take so long that the picnic is gone!

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?


Margaret McNamara - 2007
    "How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. Counting pumpkin seeds is messy business, but once the slimy job is done... well, you'll have to read and find out!

Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin


Pam Calvert - 2006
    Can Peter unlock the secret of the stick in time to save the kingdom? Whimsical illustrations bring fun to multiplying whole numbers and fractions.

Pigs Will Be Pigs: Fun with Math and Money


Amy Axelrod - 1994
    Mr. Pig suggests eating out—but oh, no! The Pigs are out of money! So the family goes on a money hunt. In beds, under the carpet, even in the washing machine the coins and bills add up, and soon it’s off to the Enchanted Enchilada. How much money did the Pigs find? What can they afford to order from the menu? Join the fun and pig out on math and money concepts with the Pigs!

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos


Deborah Heiligman - 2013
    And, it's true, many of them do. But Paul Erdos never followed the usual path. At the age of four, he could ask you when you were born and then calculate the number of seconds you had been alive in his head. But he didn't learn to butter his own bread until he turned twenty. Instead, he traveled around the world, from one mathematician to the next, collaborating on an astonishing number of publications. With a simple, lyrical text and richly layered illustrations, this is a beautiful introduction to the world of math and a fascinating look at the unique character traits that made "Uncle Paul" a great man.

Counting on Frank


Rod Clement - 1991
    A boy and his dog present amusing counting, size comparison, and mathematical facts.

Each Orange Had 8 Slices


Paul Giganti Jr. - 1992
    Dynamic illustrations combine with simple yet challenging questions to stimulate young learners to move beyond simple counting to more complex mathematical tasks. Full color.

This Plus That: Life's Little Equations


Amy Krouse Rosenthal - 2011
    This Plus That proves that life's total experience is always greater than the sum of its parts.This book can be used to introduce equations or even some basic life lessons. Its warm and amusing tone invites readers to come up with their own life equations, and it makes a creative gift.

Millions, Billions, & Trillions


David A. Adler - 2013
    Huge numbers are hard to comprehend. This book explains quantities in terms children can understand. For example, one million dollars could buy two full pizzas a day for more than sixty-eight years.

Apple Fractions


Jerry Pallotta - 2003
    Playful elves demonstrate how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, and more. Young readers will also learn about varieties of apples, including Golden and Red Delicious, Granny Smiths, Cortlands, and even Asian Pears.