Fun Math Books for Elementary Students

How Can Books Help My Child in Math?

Books can provide a fun way for kids to explore mathematical terms and concepts while still enjoying an engaging story. Especially for kids who have little interest in math, books can increase motivation and deepen their understanding of numerical relationships. Many math books also reveal how mathematical concepts are used in the real world, which could help your child gain an additional appreciation for the subject.

Elementary Math Book List

1. One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes

Enjoy reading this rhyming book aloud as your child soaks up the drawings and mathematical lesson. This book teaches students three ways in which 100 can be divided, as 100 ants separate into two lines of 50, four lines of 25 and ten lines of ten. The fun story and interesting pictures can help your child visualize division.

2. Spaghetti and Meatballs for All! by Marilyn Burns

If your child is studying area and perimeter, this book could be the perfect companion. As 32 guests arrive at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Comfort for a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, the seating arrangement is changed to accommodate everyone, resulting in a variety of combinations. Though this story is amusing, it also provides an example of how math is applied in a practical, real-world setting.

3. How Much Is a Million? by David Schwartz

When learning place value, many kids find it difficult to comprehend large numbers. In this book, Schwartz helps readers visualize enormous numbers through outrageous illustrations and comparisons, for example, noting that a fishbowl the size of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans would be needed to accommodate a million goldfish.

4. One Hungry Cat by Joanne Rocklin

Written using words and sentences that are simple enough for first and second graders, this book can be read alone or aloud. The main character of the story, Tom the cat, bakes cookies and cakes and distributes them on plates, which reinforces students' understanding of division in a fun way. The book also includes activities for readers to do at home that mirror what Tom has done in the story.

5. Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander

This illustrated story for older elementary students integrates math terminology throughout. With characters like Sir Cumference and Lady Di of Ameter, your child may never forget the fundamental geometry terms introduced in this book.