Math-inspiring picture books for young readers.
2024 Winner
Friends Beyond Measure: A Story Told With Infographics by
"A loving tale inventively and informatively told." --Kirkus (starred review) "A uniquely told story that will delight all readers. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Clever, whimsical, and jam-packed with details" --The Horn Book (starred review) "A friendship story chronicled through charts, graphs, and maps." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) This is THE next book for fans of Mapping Sam and My Map Book! Told exclusively through charts and graphic illustrations, infographics designer Lalena Fisher explores the touching friendship of Ana and Harwin and how they work through their emotions when one friend learns the other is moving far away. Friends Beyond Measure explores the world of infographics, including maps, diagrams, charts, timelines, and so much more! From the chart showing how to make fairy tea to the Venn Diagram of the friends' personalities, every page is filled with delicious details for the reader to pore over. Ana and Harwin's friendship has been off the charts since day one! But when Harwin learns her family is going to move far away, the duo isn't sure how their friendship can survive the move. See how their friend-o-meters calibrate in this imaginative, heartwarming story by beloved picture book creator and infographic designer Lalena Fisher. An ideal read-aloud for classrooms, libraries, and homeschooling, this book includes backmatter that explains all about the different types of charts and graphics in the book and gives suggestions for readers to create charts of their own. Readers will love all the fun details in this rich and visual story! And they'll engage in critical thinking while analyzing and evaluating the images.
2023 Winner
Zero Zebras: a Counting Book about What's Not There by
Discover the importance of counting what's there and what's not there in this brilliant picture book that combines math, imagination, and creativity, perfect for fans of Greg Tang! Zero Zebras asks a bold question: can you count what isn't there? Can you count... to zero? Bruce Goldstone takes us on a wild animal safari counting one wallaby, two tuna, three thrushes, four frogs... but absolutely ZERO zebras. Readers will realize the infinite possibilities of counting what is and isn't on the page. Goldstone's imaginative and creative text is brought to life by Chung's vibrant illustrations which include hidden numbers beautifully integrated into each stunning scene for fun some hide-and-seek. This is the perfect introduction to the concept of zero and infinity, showcasing the profound wonder of numbers in a playful, dazzling picture book that will wow readers of every age!
2022 Winner
Uma Wimple Charts Her House by
Hip, funny, unique--and a perfect curriculum tie-in--here's a picture book with mega kid-appeal about the challenges a student faces when she is given an assignment to make a chart of her own home! Uma's been making charts since she was a little kid. But when her teacher gives the class Uma's dream assignment--to make a chart of their own homes--she is thrown for a loop. Oh, the possibilities! Oh, the pressure! What makes a house housey? she wonders. In order to figure it out, she asks each member of her family--Mom, Dad, and brothers Rex, Bram, and Lukey. But it's not until she has a meltdown and Lukey comforts her that Uma figures out the secret to her chart--and her family. It's the love that is shared inside a house's walls. Told in first-person and featuring engaging graphic artwork, this fun and lively picture book--perfect for classroom use--is a reminder that someone's true home is not a place, but rather the people with whom you surround yourself.
2021 Winner
The Animals Would Not Sleep! by
Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! It's bedtime for Marco and his stuffed animals, but the animals have other ideas. When Marco tries to put them away, they fly, swim, and slither right out of their bins! Can Marco sort the animals so everyone is happy? A playful exploration of sorting and classifying that combines math with empathy. The perfect bedtime book, featuring Latinx characters and a note about scientific classification. Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC, under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.
2020 Winner
Pigeon Math by
2020 Mathical Award Winner Telling a story about pigeons should be simple. But what's a narrator to do when the number of feathered friends is constantly changing? Can our intrepid storyteller use math facts to keep up with the unstable quantities. . . or is this pigeon-centric tale doomed?
Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf by
Once upon a time, there were three little pigs.Then the wolf ate them. THE END. This story is too short! I want a longer one! In this clever counting book, the big bad wolf doesn't want to tell a long story. He wants to get to the eating part. But the narrator has other ideas. From a pig soccer team to a pig for every letter of the alphabet to 101 pigs in an animated movie, the stories get more and more fantastical... but they're always too short and they ALL end the same way. Using an abacus as the basis for her illustrations, Marianna creates beguiling little pigs and a menacing but slightly bored wolf that perfectly complement the inventive story by Davide Cali. Come for the counting, stay for the storytelling! This book has it all.
One Boy Watching by
Everyone knows what it feels like to be a passenger - and this book finally puts this universal feeling into words. Climb aboard Bus Number Four as it travels along country roads and city streets, past train tracks and farm fields. Through the window, countless details rush by, just waiting to be noticed. What will you see today? In this lyrical tribute to long rides and curious minds, author Grant Snider celebrates the extraordinary found within the ordinary, the fascinating hiding within the familiar, and the world of discovery awaiting all those who watch and wonder.
Lemonade in Winter by
A lemonade stand in winter? Yes, that's exactly what Pauline and John-John intend to have, selling lemonade and limeade--and also lemon-limeade. With a catchy refrain (Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LIMEADE! Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LEMONADE!), plus simple math concepts throughout, here is a read-aloud that's great for storytime and classroom use, and is sure to be a hit among the legions of Jenkins and Karas fans. "A beautifully restrained tribute to trust and tenderness shared by siblings; an entrepreneurship how-to that celebrates the thrill of the marketplace without shying away from its cold realities; and a parable about persistence."-Publishers Weekly,Starred
We Are One: How the World Adds Up by
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts--and unity and connection are most important of all--in a beautifully illustrated counting book with a timely message. One can be one thing all on its own--one star, one stream, one stick, one stone. But those on their toes, those using their smarts, know one can be more than the sum of its parts. Consider the two slices of bread that make up one sandwich, or the three lines of poetry that form one haiku, or even the ten years that form one decade. From one to ten, from sandwiches to centuries, every part is necessary to the whole. In this fascinating concept book, a simple rhyming narration aimed at younger children is complemented by informational panels about subjects like the four compass points, the five acts in Shakespeare, the seven colors of a rainbow, or the nine innings in baseball. Award-winning author Susan Hood and debut children's book illustrator Linda Yan offer a mind-expanding look at early math concepts such as part/whole relationships, fractions, and addition--while underlying themes of cooperation, peace, and kindness make this beautiful volume one to be enjoyed by anyone at any age.
Counting the Stars by
"A detail-rich picture book." --Kirkus Reviews "Straightforward and inviting." --School Library Journal From award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome and acclaimed illustrator Raúl Colón comes the sensitive, informative, and inspiring picture book biography of the remarkable mathematician Katherine Johnson, one of the NASA "human computers" whose work was critical to the first US space launch. Before John Glenn orbited the Earth or astronauts walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as "human computers" used their knowledge, pencils, adding machines, and writing paper to calculate the orbital mechanics needed to launch spacecraft. Katherine Johnson was one of these mathematicians who used trajectories and complex equations to chart the space program. Even as Virginia's Jim Crow laws were in place in the early 1950s, Katherine worked analyzing data at the NACA (later NASA) Langley laboratory. In 1962, as NASA prepared for the orbital mission of John Glenn, Katherine Johnson was called upon and John Glenn said "get the girl" (Katherine Johnson) to run the numbers by hand to chart the complexity of the orbital flight. He knew that his flight couldn't work without her unique skills. President Barack Obama awarded Katherine Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and her incredible life inspired the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures. Get to know this incredible and inspirational woman with this beautifully illustrated picture book from an award-winning duo.
Bird Count by
The National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count stars in this charming picture book, just right for young community scientists, bird watchers, and nature aficionados. A young girl and her mother participate as community scientists in the Christmas Bird Count. The girl is excited when Big Al, the leader of their team, asks her to record the tally this year. Using her most important tools―her eyes and ears―she eagerly identifies and counts the birds they observe on their assigned route around town. She and her team follow the rules, noting the time of day, the habitat, the birding ID techniques used for each sighting. Finally, they meet up with the other teams in the area to combine their totals for a Christmas Bird Count party and share stories about their observations. Sidebars tally up the birds they observe and record. This book introduces young readers to birdwatching with simple explanations of birdwatching techniques and clear descriptions of bird habitats. Stephanie Fizer Coleman's charming illustrations add color and context to a joyful story that's sure to inspire the nature lover in everyone. Back matter includes more information about all the birds featured in the book and about the Christmas Bird Count, the nation's longest-running community science bird project. Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award Mathical Honor Award International Literacy Association Primary Fiction Award
Billions of Bricks by
Two, four, six. Look at all the bricks! Grab a hard hat and all your tools, and get ready for a construction adventure in counting! This clever, rhyming picture book leads readers through a day in the life of a construction crew building with bricks. A brick may seem like just a simple block, but in groupings of ten, twenty, and more, it can create many impressive structures, from hotels to schools to skyscrapers. Billions of Bricks from Kurt Cyrus is a terrific introduction to counting in quantities for children. A Christy Ottaviano Book
Count on Me by
A young girl sees the world differently in this beautiful picture book celebration of math. Everyone has a passion. For some, it's music. For others, it's art. For our heroine, it's math. When she looks around the world, she sees math in all the beautiful things: the concentric circles a stone makes in a lake, the curve of a slide, the geometric shapes in the playground. Others don't understand her passion, but she doesn't mind. There are infinite ways to see the world. And through math is one of them. This book is a gorgeous ode to something vital but rarely celebrated. In the eyes of this little girl, math takes its place alongside painting, drawing and song as a way to ponder the beauty of the world.
Is 2 a Lot by
Joey's questions and his mom's artful answers transform an ordinary car ride into a magical odyssey through the land of numbers. Is Two a Lot? is a wonderfully charming and authentic exchange between mother and child. Annie Watson's story makes numbers tangible, and Rebecca Evans's illustrations bring them to life.
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by
"A nonstop dragon party . . . Irresistible."-Publishers Weekly This wacky counting adventure by Geisel Award-winning author David LaRochelle is a hilarious ode to dragons and math, with pitch-perfect art by Lian Cho. High on a mountain live 100 mighty dragons all named Broccoli. When a tremendous wind blows half the dragons away, ten others sail off to become professional surfers in Hawaii. The oldest and youngest dragons take a train to New York City to start their own heavy metal band. And a mysterious wizard turns four more into a unicorn, a werewolf, a zombie, and a tiny pink poodle. Now how many dragons are left? Young readers will delight in following each and every dragon as they leave their home for marvelous adventures, until there is but one dragon remaining. That's when this final dragon named Broccoli retreats to a cave for the winter and reappears in the spring with a surprise that will thrill and delight. Prepare to read again! "Plenty of giggles . . . This is one entertaining and silly way to do math."-Kirkus "A hilarious, charming and extremely silly book. . . . A great addition to any child's bookshelf." -The Minneapolis StarTribune "So clever, so utterly silly and absurd, so delightful and so engaging." -InfoDad.com "Colorful . . . Countable . . . Humorous . . . Lively." -Booklist
How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up by
The best-selling author of the Baby Loves Science series levels up with this playful STEM picture book introducing kids-and grown-ups-to the coding world. Grown-ups do NOT have all the answers! In this tongue-in-cheek guide, an in-the-know narrator instructs perceptive kid readers in the fine art of explaining coding to a grown-up. Both children and their adults learn the basics of coding, including hardware, software, algorithms, and debugging. Cleverly disguised "pro tips" suggest best practices for teaching any topic. Fun and fact-filled, the How to Explain Science series will empower kid experts to explore complex scientific concepts with any grown-up who will listen.
Rafa Counts on Papá by
For fans of Guess How Much I Love You? and Just Me and My Dad comes a heartwarming story perfect for Father's Day about a son and his papá who love to measure everything, including their love for each other. Rafa and his papá love to count and measure together. They know how many branches they climb to their favorite spot, they know how high their dog Euclid can jump, and they know how far they can run. But there's one thing Rafa can't count or measure because it is infinite: the love that he and his papá share. Pura Belpré Honor illustrator and author Joe Cepeda celebrates curiosity and shows the tender and playful relationship between father and son on every inch of the page. With a subtle nod to introducing concepts, from real objects to the abstract, readers feel the immeasurable love of this Latinx family as Papá delights in spending time with Rafa.
We Are Branches by
Caldecott winner Beth Krommes and Newbery Honor-winning poet Joyce Sidman team up in this singular celebration of a beautiful, fascinating shape in nature. A nonfiction picture book companion to their acclaimed Swirl by Swirl. Branches are all around us: in butterfly wings, on gecko toes, in flowers, frost, and mud. Whether as electricity moving across the sky or rivers flowing to the sea, branches are nature's most efficient way to spread and to connect. They are even found inside our own bodies, helping us reach and grow with each breath and heartbeat. Branches--strong, hopeful, beautiful--are the shape of life. How many can you find
You Rule! by
A boldly graphic, verbally playful affirmation that the most precious things in life are immeasurable! How far can you go? How much do you know? How kind are you? How much do I love you? These are the impossible questions every child has asked, and every parent has struggled to answer. This is a wonderfully affirmative and aspirational book of possibilities and exploration, a fantastic linguistic calibration/celebration of bravery, kindness, love, and so much more. Within this bright and colorful picture book and energetic glossary of words, Rilla Alexander brilliantly succeeds in measuring the immeasurables of life. BUILDS EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE: This book provides the linguistic tools to describe and measure the widest possible emotions and qualities with a rich palette of words saturated in wit, whimsy, and empathy. THE PERFECT GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD: Whether you are shopping for a baby gift, a graduation gift, or browsing the library shelves for a book to soothe a child getting ready to start school, this book is for you! A GENTLE MESSAGE OF INSPIRATION AND IMAGINATION: Follow along as a boy and his dog tenderly care for a lost caterpillar until its transformation and release as a glorious butterfly. GORGEOUS, BOLD ILLUSTRATIONS: The author's bright, kid-friendly artwork makes an instant impression--a feast for the mind and the eyes! Perfect for: Fans of Oh, the Places You'll Go!, Guess How Much I Love You, and I Wish You More A wonderful read-aloud resource for parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians Thoughtful new baby gift or addition to baby shower wishing well Engaging illustrated option for anyone seeking word books for toddlers