Stories are a wonderful way to submerse yourself into an idea whether it is a time period in history, the life of a ballet dancer, or the discovery of oxygen. When reading a story the world of someone or something else is revealed to you. This is also possible for understanding math concepts and for exploring the beautiful world of numbers. Here is a list of a few of our favorite math books. Some are picture books, some are chapter books including biographies, but none of them require a math background to enjoy them.
Sir Cumference books
This series of picture books sets characters in a medieval time period as they go on a math adventure. Readers are able explore math concepts as the characters discover them and use them in their own unique way.
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth
This colorfully illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's circumference, is just right for budding mathematicians, scientists, historians, and librarians! Filled with fascinating details about Eratosthenes's world (and in print since 1994), kids are sure to flip through the pages time and again.
The History of Counting
Drawing on years of research, a renowned archaeologist traces the evolution of counting. She shows how the concept of numbers came about, how various societies answered the question "How many?," and how our modern-day decimal system was developed. Engrossing and enlightening, this fascinating book introduces children to one of our most important inventions.
What's Your Angle Pythagoras?
Children can test their math skills and learn the Pythagorean Theorem alongside young Pythagoras in this STEM adventure. Pythagoras’ curiosity takes him from Samos to Alexandria, where he meets a builder named Neferheperhersekeper, who introduces him to the right angle.
String, Straightedge, and Shadow
Explains how the basic principles of elementary geometry were discovered over 2,000 years ago. Indicates the major roles played by the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece.
A Curious History of Mathematics
Joel Levy opens new doors into the amazing world of mathematics. By taking a historical perspective, he explains how mathematical science advanced through the ages, introducing the most important concepts—from simple arithmetic, through algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus, up to chaos and infinity theory—in understandable, nontechnical language.
The Joy of X
Math is everywhere, often where we don't even realise. Award-winning professor Steven Strogatz acts as our guide as he takes us on a tour of numbers that - unbeknownst to the unitiated - connect pop culture, literature, art, philosophy, current affairs, business and even every day life. In The Joy of X, Strogatz explains the great ideas of maths - from negative numbers to calculus, fat tails to infinity - with clarity, wit and insight. He is the maths teacher you never had and this book is perfect for the smart and curious, the expert and the beginner.
Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers
An authoritative reference book and timeline that explores the work of history's greatest mathematicians. These include the teasing genius of Pierre de Fermat, who said he knew the answers but rarely gave them up, the helpful guidance of Fibonacci, whose 13th-century compendium for bookkeepers proved to be a valuable tool for the most high-minded mathematicians, and the fractal pattern discovered by Wac aw Sierpinski now used to plan the route a mailman takes. With a glimpse of the abstract landscapes of infinite numbers and multi-dimensional shapes that these incredible minds explore, we can begin to get beyond school-day sums and understand the true power of mathematics.
