Pre-K read-aloud Math stories for the very young.
2024 Winner
Kitty and Cat: Bent Out of Shape by
Bath time has Cat quite literally bent out of shape in this fresh, funny concept book that's purr-fect for the preschool set. It's bathtime for Cat, but Cat is nowhere to be found. That is, until you look closely. Young readers will delight in following housemates Kitty and Puppy (and a few buzzing flies) on an excitable pursuit--with hilarious results! Author-illustrator Mirka Hokkanen brings her original talent for sight gags to this stylish tale of trapezoids and triangles, circles and squares (and several more shapes besides), all hidden in plain sight. Readers of all ages will be given over to giggles as they discover Cat's many contortions.
2023 Winner
Again, Essie? by
Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! Rafael wants to protect his toys from his little sister, Essie. Gathering materials from around the house, he builds a wall tall enough and wide enough to keep her out. But will it be strong enough? And what does Essie really want? A playful exploration of physical space and geometry, featuring Chicanx (Mexican American) characters and a glossary of Spanish words. 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.
2022 Winner
1 Smile, 10 Toes by
"Joyful bonding moments accumulate like fruit from a gently shaken tree every time this utterly charming split-page board book is opened . . . Equally valuable is the innate connectivity of the parent-child reading experience, a satisfying peek-a-boo-like tension and release that tends to keep moms and dads happily in the moment and youngsters excitedly engaged" - Tillywig Create silly creatures and count along the way with this unique split-page book. Young readers can match heads to a variety of tails and legs to compose quirky characters. Each flap presents a new opportunity for counting and learning vocabulary words for body parts!
2021 Winner
Lia and Luis: Who Has More? by
Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! Twins Lia and Luis argue over who has more of their favorite snacks. Can the siblings use math--and a little sharing--to pick the winner? A playful exploration of measurement, counting, and estimation, featuring Brazilian American characters and a glossary of Brazilian Portuguese words. 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.
Early Math Project Guide for Lia & Luis: Who Has More? by Ana Crespo.
2020 Winner
One Fox by
Counting from one to ten has never been so thrilling in this Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book and recipient of the Mathical Book Prize from Kate Read! One hungry fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl . . . three plump hens had better watch out! Rich and colorful illustrations plunge the reader into a dramatic and exciting story set in a moonlit farmyard. With something different to count on each page, this gripping tale introduces page-turning tension to young readers in an age-appropriate way. Great for early education and read alouds, this fun numbers introduction has a hugely satisfying ending that's sure to delight! Pluck up this one up for your little math enthusiast today and check out the available activity kit online. Also by Kate Read: Hey! A Colorful Mystery, a perfect selection on color vocabulary for budding artists. "Stunning... Count on requests for many readings." --School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book Recipient of the Mathical Book Prize Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended) Parents' Choice Gold Award Recipient An ALSC Notable Children's Book A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens Cybils (Fiction Picture Books) A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year A NYPL Best Book for Kids A CCBC Choice
Early Math Project Guide for One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read.
Circle under Berry by
Part Sandra Boynton, part Each Peach Pear Plum; part Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, part Hippopposites--a treat for the brain and the tongue. With an elegant and simple approach, this thought-provoking concept book shows young readers that everything in the world can be seen from infinite perspectives. Each page compares colors, shapes, and objects in relation to each other. A triangle that is over a square is also under a circle. A circle that is pink also might be a flower. The artful, playful combinations of simple concepts and Higgins's rhythmic writing and expert arrangement of objects on the page make this book a perfect read-aloud, capable of entertaining, educating, and challenging readers in equal measure. There are multiple ways to read the book, allowing it to work for several ages and reading levels at once. The educational value and sheer fun packed into this book's language and visual design will make it a huge hit with educators and librarians, new parents, and creative kids who are visual learners. This striking, delightfully different exploration of shape, color, and patterns redefines what a picture book can be. Read it once, read it ten times. See something new every time. A GREAT INTRODUCTION TO MANY DIFFERENT CONCEPTS: This book's focus on color, shapes, objects, and relative words like "over," "under," and "next to" make this the perfect introduction to basic concepts of all kinds. Rather than traditional concept books that focus on only one idea, this book combines its teaching approach, helping young readers learn more than one concept at once by showing how they relate to each other. A DYNAMIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE: The unusual combination of colors, shapes, and animals intelligently introduces young readers to patterns, classification, and problem-solving. The imaginative language of this book, rich with rhythmic phrasing and a tongue twister-like playfulness, creates a soothing read-aloud text that engages young children with questions and encourages audience participation. PERFECT FOR ANY KIND OF EDUCATION: With a variety of concepts, clear read-aloud qualities, and the many different ways this book engages different styles of learning, this book is ideal for librarians, educators, and anyone creating reading events in their communities. BELOVED AUTHOR: Carter Higgins is not only the author of many acclaimed books for children such as Everything You Need to Build a Treehouse, This Is Not a Valentine, and Bikes for Sale, she's also a seasoned school librarian who's spent many years working with children. Her love of kids--and her passion for teaching--shines throughout this book. EASY ART PROJECT INSPIRATION: Having honed her art skills as an elementary librarian, Carter Higgins makes her own debut as an illustrator for this book with simple, appealing collages. Kids will love making their own art projects inspired by the illustrations in this book. BRIGHT, EYE-CATCHING ART: The simple shapes and lively colors are designed to appeal to young children. Read this if your children enjoy Hervé Tullet's Press Here or Bill Martin Jr.'s Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? Perfect for: * Parents * Grandparents * Educators * Gift-givers
Marta! Big and Small by
With simple Spanish and a glossary at the end, this fun read-aloud picture book, Marta! Big and Small, teaches little ones to identify opposites and animals and learn new words. Marta is una niña, an ordinary girl . . . with some extraordinary animal friends! As Marta explores the jungle, she knows she's bigger than a bug, smaller than an elephant, and faster than a turtle. But then she meets the snake, who thinks Marta is sabrosa--tasty, very tasty! But Marta is ingeniosa, a very clever girl, and she outsmarts the snake with hilarious results. A School Library Journal Top 10 Latinx Book 2016
Shape up, Construction Trucks! by
Dump Truck, Dump Truck Coming through! I spy a triangle--how about you? It's no secret that toddlers of any gender love big vehicles. Shape Up, Construction Trucks! uses rhyming verse and bright photographs to celebrate this enthusiasm in a unique take on conceptual shape books. Each spread highlights geometric shapes hiding in plain sight on excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and more. And after the toddlers have browsed the pages to their heart's content, a final note to parents offers enriching, age-appropriate activities to keep building their child's foundational learning skills. With repetitive, easy-to-remember verse from the award-winning author of Nat the Cat Can Sleep Like That, Victoria Allenby's Shape Up, Construction Trucks! is a highly visual shape book that digs deep. It earned starred reviews from School Library Journal, which called it, "clear, crisp, clean, and concise," and from Kirkus Reviews, which declared it was "sure to be a hit."
What Will Fit? by
Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin celebrates math for every kid, everywhere! Take a trip to the farmers' market in this playful story about spatial sense. Olivia is searching for something just the right size to fill her basket. The apple is so small that it rolls around. The zucchini is so long that it sticks out. What will fit just right? 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.
One Is a Pinata: A Book of Numbers by
Lively picture book enumerates the joys of counting in both English and Spanish Boisterous illustrations and rhyming text: One is a rainbow. One is a cake. One is a piñata that's ready to break! In this lively picture book, a companion to the Pura Belpré-honored Green Is a Chile Pepper, children discover a fiesta of numbers in the world around them, all the way from one to ten. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin and all are universal in appeal. With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this vibrant book enumerates the joys of counting and the wonders that abound in every child's day! Filled with bright and colorful images that makes counting objects a party. Includes numbers 1 through 10 in English and Spanish and incorporates Spanish words into the rhyming text. Roseanne Greenfield Thong is the author of more than a dozen award-winning children's books, including Round Is a Tortilla, Wish, 'Twas Nochebuena, Día de Los Muertos, and Green Is a Chile Pepper. John Parra is an award-winning illustrator who has received three Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor awards. Fans of Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes and Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors will love this lively companion book, One Is a Piñata: A Book of Numbers. Perfect for preschoolers and early readers working on counting skills and learning basic Spanish vocabulary. Books for kids ages 4-7 Engaging children's picture book that teaches counting skills and is a basic Spanish-language learning tool Fun book to read aloud for families or elementary schools
DREME Math Storybook Guide for One is a Pinata by Roseanne Thong & John Parra.
Animal Shapes by
"Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable."-Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW Best-selling picture book creator Christopher Silas Neal is diving into the world of original board books with Animal Shapes, a book that humorously mashes up animals and shapes to create a unique and funny object! When a cozy cat meets a circle, they make a . . . Purrrrrcle In this delightful board book with striking images, Christopher Silas Neal combines animals and shapes to form a unique, inventive objective. Children will have endless fun guessing what brand-new, made-up animal will appear next! This book will have kids playing and guessing with each reread!
One Happy Tiger by
One tiger sits all alone, feeling sad. Then he finds two bright bugs, three colorful birds, and more, and soon he isn't sad anymore. Children will learn to count from 1 to 10 as they travel with the tiger to each new adventure in this beautiful book of friendship.
Round by
If you look closely, you will find that the world is bursting, swelling, budding, and ripening with round things awaiting discovery--like eggs about to hatch, sunflowers stretching toward the sun, or planets slowly spinning together for billions of years. Whimsical and imaginative, this poetic ode to all that is round and full of wonder by the Newbery Honor-winning author and poet Joyce Sidman, with illustrations by the two-time New York Best Illustrated Book award recipient Taeeun Yoo, inspires curiosity and wonder for this (round) little earth we call home.
¡1, 2, 3 Salsa! by
"ONE invitation to a salsa dance. TWO dancing shoes to make a pair." This bilingual English-Spanish book teaches how to count to 10 using salsa. ¡Vamonos! Learn to count with salsa in English and Spanish. Children, caretakers, and educators will love the rhythmic text paired with bright and colorful illustrations showcasing characters of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
The Great Cookie Kerfuffle by
A Mathical Book Prize Honor Book! A friendly little farm breaks into chaos as increasing numbers of farm animals fight over a dropped cookie, until there's trouble overhead! United against a common enemy, the animals learn that friendship and taking care of each other is more important than winning a fight. Written by debut picture book author Jessica Shaw and illustrated by Pauline Gregory, this book counts groups of animals from 1 to 10 and back down again and makes a great read-aloud for friendship-themed story times. Named a Mathical Book Prize Honor Book for PreK in 2024, this title inspires a love of math by connecting with young children's interests.
Some of These Are Snails by
Press Here meets Eric Carle in a concept book that makes familiar ideas exciting and surprising. From the creative mind behind Circle Under Berry comes this deceptively simple concept book that explores sorting, classification, and patterns as it teases the brain in unusual ways. With an elegant and simple approach, this thought-provoking book shows young readers that even the most familiar things can be seen from infinite perspectives. As with the best classic children''s books, you read it once, read it ten times--and see something new every time. MULTIPLE WAYS TO READ: The author has provided creative and helpful suggestions for different ways in which to read this book for varying reading levels and age ranges, making it truly versatile. PACKED LEARNING VALUE: The unusual approach to colors, shapes, and animals intelligently introduces young readers to patterns, classification, and problem solving. The imaginative language, rich with rhythmic phrasing and playfulness, begs to be read aloud. WIDE APPEAL FOR SCHOOL AND LIBRARY USE: Carter Higgins presents engaging learning with a variety of concepts. With its clear read-aloud qualities, this is ideal for teachers and librarians who organize reading events in their classrooms and communities. UNIQUE DESIGN: The art style for this book, with playful nods to Eric Carle and Hervé Tullet, stands out from the pack in ways that will resonate with children as well as adults. It sits beautifully on any shelf-- from classroom to home libraries. TALENTED AUTHOR: Carter Higgins has many successful titles across multiple age groups, including Circle Under Berry, Everything You Need for a Treehouse, This is Not a Valentine, Bikes for Sale, Big and Small and In-Between, and Audrey L and Audrey W. Circle Under Berry [star]​ "[V]isually striking . . . positively begging to be read aloud." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review [star]​ "[D]rawing readers'' attention while achieving real grace . . ." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "[S]parkling and ingenious . . . positively tingles." --The Wall Street Journal "A triumph of design and a beacon of possibility." --The Horn Book Magazine "[A] striking exploration of shapes, colors, and patterns . . ." --Booklist Reviews Everything You Need for a Treehouse "Get ready for your imagination to explode!" --NPR Best Books of the Year "[A] feast for the imagination." --Book Page "This book urges adventure and creativity." --School Library Journal This is Not a Valentine "An enduring message of friendship." --School Library Journal "A perfect book for kids who find the whole Valentine''s Day holiday icky and overrated." --Book Riot "Recognizes that you can don''t need sugary hearts and mushy sentiment to show you care." --Newsday "Heartwarmingly funny." --Entertainment Weekly Bikes for Sale "Celebrates the ways in which serendipity can lead to friendship and sharing." --Booklist "A sweet, quiet, different take on new-friendship." ---Kirkus Reviews Big and Small and In-Between [star]​ "[V]isually stunning and emotionally rich . . ." --School Library Journal, starred review "[A] profoundly moving, charmingly crafted picture book." --The New York Times "[A]n abstract journey with many turns and surprises." --Publishers Weekly Audrey L and Audrey W "Funny and engaging." --Kirkus Reviews "This sweet series-starter holds plenty of promise." --Booklist "[S]ensitive and gently humorous." --Shelf Awareness "A great addition to libraries where memorable girls like Ivy + Bean and Judy Moody are popular." --School Library Journal "[Readers] will find their sweet spot with this easy reader." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books Perfect for: Parents and grandparents seeking engaging, interactive books for kids Teachers, librarians, educators, and caregivers of children ranging from toddlers to emerging readers Classroom gift book for preschool, kindergarten, art teachers Baby shower, birthday, and holiday gift giving Fans of Carter Higgins, Eric Carle, and Laura Vaccaro Seeger Fans of fun educational books
Ten Blocks to the Big Wok: A Chinatown Counting Book by
This charming bilingual English/Mandarin counting book uses a stroll through Chinatown to introduce readers to the numbers one through ten in Chinese ... and will leave you hungry besides! As Mia and her uncle Eddie travel the ten blocks from their apartment to the Big Wok restaurant, Mia spies one giant panda ride, two lion statues, three swimming turtles, four bonsai trees, five tai chi practitioners ... There are so many things to see in Chinatown! And when they reach the Big Wok, they find ten yummy dim sum dishes to eat. But what route should they take back home? This sweet story about a girl, her uncle, and a little cat they meet on the way accomplishes multiple fun and useful aims: It's a fully bilingual counting book that teaches readers the numbers one through ten in both simplified Mandarin and English. It provides a fun tour of a typical Chinatown--a beloved neighborhood in many cities around the world. Children will enjoy spotting the kitten in every illustration as it trails Mia and Uncle Eddie through the streets. And with each item that Mia encounters on her walk, the book introduces some fascinating new aspect of Chinese culture or myth, as explained in the friendly backmatter. Join Mia and Uncle Eddie as they wander Ten Blocks to the Big Wok!
Hasta Las Rodillas / up to My Knees by
Now in Spanish bilingual editions--Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin celebrates math for every kid in this board book series. Mei explores measurement as she plants a sunflower seed and watches it grow. The plant starts off as tall as her toe, but soon it's up to her knees, then her waist, then her shoulders. How tall will it get? The Storytelling Math series shows that all children can be mathematical thinkers. Each book includes ideas for exploring math at home with your children, developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC Inc., under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.
Early Math Project Guide for Up to My Knees! by Grace Lin.
Usha and the Big Digger by
Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! When sisters Usha and Aarti look up at the stars, they see different things. Aarti sees the Big Dipper, but Usha sees the Big DIGGER. And cousin Gloria sees the Big Kite! Could they all be right? A playful introduction to geometry and spatial relationships, featuring Indian American characters and a note about cultures and constellations. 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.
Numbers Everywhere by
Search for hidden numeral shapes in this fun, rhyming picture book-- a perfect way to engage preschoolers learning numbers! Number shapes are everywhere-- look up! Look down! Look here! Look there. Rhymes invite children to look for numerals hidden in the pictures- A tall straight line Is number one./A rocket headed towards the sun! Colorful illustrations of imaginative scenes hide the shapes of numbers 1 through 9. Dotted lines trace out these numeral shapes to help young readers find and recognize numbers, while charming rhyming text helps teach kids how to write numbers on their own. This important pre-math skill becomes a fun seek-and-find game, and the rhythmic, rhyming text is fun to read aloud. Your young reader will learn to love to count! A Poets.org 2021 Featured Fall Book for Young Readers