Math & Literature: Estimating, Fractions, Geometry, Measurement, Money

Estimating

A boy and his dog present amusing counting, size comparison, and mathematical facts. (Ages 4-8)

A series of simple questions directs young readers to determine the differences between seemingly similar objects, encouraging them to develop powers of observation, discrimination, and visual analysis. There's plenty of opportunity to practice counting, too (but that's just the beginning!). With eye-catching, bold illustrations by a two-time Caldecott Honor-Book recipient.

The Candy Corn Contest by Patricia Reilly Giff

Richard determines to win the Thanksgiving Candy Corn contest by guessing the correct number of candies in the jar but before he realizes what he's done he eats three big pieces. What will the teacher do when she finds out?

The Right Number of Elephants by Jeff Sheppard

A joyous twist on the well-worn counting-book concept. A girl decides how many elephants are needed to pull a train out of a tunnel, paint the ceiling, go to the beach, etc. The answers appear on subsequent pages, beginning with 10 elephants and decreasing by one with each new challenge.

Fractions

Eating Fractions by Bruce McMillan

A photograph book of foods cut into quarters, thirds, halves and whole promotes a variety of ways to have hands on learning about fractions.

Fraction Action by Loreen Leedy

This picture book presents math concepts through five little stories about teacher Miss Prime, possibly a slender hippo, and her multispecies students. Concepts include: dividing geometric shapes into fractions, dividing sets of objects into equal parts, cutting fruit into equal shares, and dividing a dollar into fractions. Most of the concepts would fit into a first- or second-grade unit on basic fractions.

Fraction Fun by David Adler

This simple, hands-on concept book is clear and concise. The simple definition of a fraction, that it is a part of something, introduces a pizza pie that is divided, studied, compared, and, of course, eaten. Weighing coins determines how many make one ounce, and what the fractional value of each coin is.

Gator Pie by Louise Matthews

Two alligators find a pie and try to decide how to cut it. When other alligators demand their share a riot ensues. The delightful twist to the story will make it a class favorite.

Jump, Kangaroo, Jump by Stuart J. Murphy

In this picture book based on math principles, Kangaroo and his friends divide themselves into teams to compete in Field Day exercises. Readers will easily follow the concept of fractions when the 12 campers divide into 2 teams of 6 for tug-of-war, then 3 teams of 4 for a swimming relay race, and 4 teams of 3 for a canoe race.

The Half Birthday Party by Charlotte Pomerantz

Daniel gives his six-month-old sister a half-birthday party, to which each guest is asked to bring half a present.

The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Fractions Book by Jerry Pallotta

Open the wrapper, and what do you see? A Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar is made up of 12 little rectangles that provide the perfect opportunity to teach fractions! A bunch of comical cows, some cocoa pods, and stalks of sugar cane join the fraction fun.

Geometry

Eight Hands Round by Ann Whitford Paul

Twenty-six different quilt patterns are described in this book. For a geometric twist, encourage your students to locate the different shapes and incorporate shapes into their own designs.

Grandfather's Tang's Story by Ann Tompert

"Drawing on a Chinese form of storytelling with seven shapes cut from a square of paper, Tompert recounts the tale of two fox fairies. Parker's pen-and-watercolor art adds drama, while the tangram insets will motivate children to try their own versions."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban

Whenever you are -- inside or outside -- there are shapes to discover. And with Tana Hoban's help you will begin to see them. Look around. How many circles, squares, stars, triangles, hearts, and rectangles can you see? They are everywhere!

Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander

When Sir Cumference drinks a potion which turns him into a dragon, his son Radius searches for the magic number known as pi which will restore him to his former shape. Grades 4 and up.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander

When King Arthur and his knights get together, the table they have is so long that everyone has to shout to be heard. A rectangular table is too long and a triangular table is too pointy, but somehow they must sit down and discuss the shape of the future. Join a knight called Sir Cumference, his wife, Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius as they use different strategies to solve this quandary.

Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland by Cindy Neuschwander

Radius, the son of Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter, ventures on a heroic quest to earn his knighthood. He first proves his ability to make a "knightly right angle," as Sir D'Grees has trained him, and then doubles the right angle to make a straight angle. So he is sent off with the family medallion, in the shape of a circle (cardboard medallion included), to rescue the missing King Lell.

Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone by Cindy Neuschwander

King Arthur has issued a challenge. The first knight to find the sword Edgecalibur will be the next king. Join Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and Radius as they help their friend, Vertex, find the sword. Discover the secrets of cubes, pyramids, cylinders, and cones. 32 pages. 8 1/2" x 9 1/2". Ages 5-10.

The Fly on the Ceiling: a Math Myth by Julie Glass

Recognized as the father of analytic geometry, René Descartes was a French mathematician and philosopher. Kids will love this funny and very accessible tale - based on one of math's greatest myths - about the man who popularized the Cartesion system of coordinates.

The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns

In this introduction to polygons, a triangle convinces a shapeshifter to make him a quadrilateral and later a pentagon, but discovers that where angles and sides are concerned, more isn't always better.

The Quilting Bee by Gail Gibbons

You'll learn how quilts are made and discover their fascinating history as well as lots of fun facts. Have your students create their own quilt designs.

Measurement

Bigger, Better, Best! By MathStart2

Jenny and Jeff are driving their little sister, Jill, crazy, and now that the family is moving into their new house it's worse than ever. Who'll have the bigger bedroom? How can they measure the space so that they'll know for sure? This simple geometry concept will prove once and for all whose room is bigger.

How Big is a Foot? By Rolf Myller

In this story, the court carpenter learns a valuable lesson about different sizes of feet.

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni

A tiny inchworm uses his "body" and ingenuity to keep from being eaten. This is an excellent introduction to measurement using non-standard units of measure, use inchworm measuring tapes to measure objects in the classroom.

Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy

Lisa has an important homework assignment--to measure something in several different ways. She has to use standard units like inches and nonstandard units like paper clips to find out height, width, length, weight, volume, temperature, and time.

Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter by Cindy Neuschwander

Sir Cumference returns in this tale that introduces readers to the concepts of perimeter and area. Readers already familiar with these formulas will have the most ease understanding and solving the mystery. Teachers introducing the concepts of perimeter and area might find the book useful.

Spaghetti and Meatballs for All! By Marilyn Burns Burns

(The I Hate Mathematics! Book) inventively turns a family reunion into a lesson on perimeters. Readers can hone their division skills as Mr. Comfort bakes "16 loaves of garlic bread" and rolls "96 meatballs" for the 32 attendees. Ages 7-up.

Is Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There is? By Robert E. Wells

Librarians and teachers could use this book to introduce units on size, measuring, or relativity. And it would be useful to demonstrate how to make beginning graphs in a fun, accessible way.

Jim and the Beanstalk by Raymond Briggs

Jim woke up early one morning to find a plant that was very like a beanstalk growing outside his window. Climbing to the top of the beanstalk, he found a castle and a giant, but with very modern problems that only Jim could help solve. A Library of Congress Children's Book of the Year.

Mice Twice by Joseph Low

Hungering for a plump mouse, Cat invites Miss Mouse to dine. Miss Mouse brings along a friend Dog and further invitations lead to even more guests in this Caldecott Honor Book.

The Inch Boy by Junko Morimoto

Young children will be reassured to learn that size isn't everything, when they follow fearless Issunboshi, the inch-high boy, as he paddles down the river toward Kyoto to become a famous samurai.

Money

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst

Last Sunday, Alexander's grandparents gave him a dollar -- and he was rich. He could buy as much gum as he wanted, or even a walkie-talkie, if he saved enough. But somehow the money began to disappear...

Arthur's Funny Money by Lillian Hoban

A hilarious account of Arthur's attempts to earn enough money to buy a T-shirt and cap, assisted by his sister Violet. Simple business concepts are ingeniously woven into the story. This marvelous book will capture the interest of eager learners and creative teachers.

How Much is a Million by David Schwartz

Children are often intrigued by or confused about (sometimes both) very large numbers. Here Schwartz uses concepts that are simple to help readers conceptualize astronomical numbers like a million, billion, and trillion.

If You Made a Million by David Schwartz

Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician and his team of cheerful kids (and their multitude of animal friends) wield dusters, brooms, plungers, shovels, and cement as they take on feeding fish, dusting ducks, painting pots, transplanting trees, building bridges, and babysitting ogres. For each job, they'll be paid an appropriate amount of money. But soon the questions arise--what does that much money look like, and how can it be spent, saved, or used to pay off a loan?

Penny Pot by MathStart3

Follow along and count coins with Jessie and her friends as they are transformed into a clown, a monster, and more at the face painting booth. With a naughty cat underfoot and festive illustrations by Lynne Cravath, this coin counting story is sure to be a favorite.

Pigs Will Be Pigs: Fun with Math and Money by Amy Axelrod

The pigs are very hungry, and there's no food in the house. Mr. Pig suggests eating out -- but oh, no! The Pigs are out of money! So the family goes on a money hunt. Join the fun and pig out on math and money concepts with the Pigs!

Sold! A Mothematics Adventure by Nathan Zimelman

Have you ever bought a suit of armor at an auction? What happens if you buy too many treasures? In this story, a boy finds out that some mistakes are worth a fortune.

The Go-Around Dollar by Barbara Adams

In this fascinating and informative book, Barbara Johnston Adams weaves together a fictional narrative about the travels of a single dollar with facts and anecdotes that are sure to delight young readers.

This is the featured reading list from the 2009 Read to Me Conference breakout session by Laurie Taguchi and Ann Ushiroda.