One Grain Of Rice
One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale, by Demi, is a beautifully illustrated book that demonstrates a simple mathematical concept. Is it a fairy tale, or a math lesson? I'd say it's both.
January 28, 2007
December 27, 2006
Math for Kids & Other People Too!
I'm a huge fan of Theoni Pappas! Math for Kids & Other People Too is another fine example of her works. Try opening the book at random, and you'll be treated to a fun and mind-expanding puzzle or story.
Roman Numerals I to MM
Cute little piggies help you practice your Roman Numerals in this picture book: Roman Numerals I to MM.
Family Math
In the introduction, the authors say that teachers were asking for resources they could give to parents "to use at home to help their children in mathematics. They told us that parent were frustrated in not knowing enough about their children's math program to help them or in not understanding the mathematics their children were studying". With a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the authors developed the activities in Family Math.
The activities are hands-on, with objects like blocks and beans. As the authors say "traditionally, these materials are used mostly in the early elementary years and paper-and-pencil mathematics becomes the rule after second or third grade. This is unfortunate, since much of mathematics can best be explained and understood using the tools of manipulative materials and models; and, in fact, many research and applied mathematicians do just that."
Also in the series:
Family Math
Family Math for Young Children: Comparing
Family Math - The Middle School Years: Algebraic Reasoning and Number Sense
Useful Mathematical and Physical Formulae
Useful Mathematical and Physical Formulae is a handy little book, with quirky and fun illustrations. The author, Matthew Watkins, was kind enough to donate a signed copy to Art Intersect Science a couple years ago.
The Discoveries: Great Breakthroughs in 20th Century Science
The Discoveries: Great Breakthroughs in 20th Century Science includes the original scientific papers. This is a fantastic book! Alan Lightman paints the context for each discovery, before presenting the original paper.
The Penguin Family Book
"The Animal Family books are not just written by their authors. They are studied and researched and lived into existence. Each book helps to make the world of nature that much more real, more understandable, and more valuable to children." ~Description from Stacey's website
November 11, 2006
Logic Links
Logic Links are great sequencing puzzles, and they come with colored chips to help visually organize thinking.
Tufte and Visualization
Edward Tufte is famous for his self-published books on visual communication and information design.
His titles include
Math-terpieces!
Math-terpieces, by Greg Tang, combines Art and Math in charming rhymes and puzzles. How could I not love it!? The puzzles are based around some of my favorite modern art pieces including April Showers (by Renoir) and The Starry Night (by van Gogh).
If you're looking gifts for a grade-shooler, you could get a few of Mr Tang's math-picture books. They're all fantastic!
October 31, 2006
The Mathematics Calendar
The Mathematics Calendar is back for 2008!
Every day, a new math problem...since the answer is always given, the fun part is figuring out how that could be the answer. If that's not enough to make you want one, hanging one in your work-space is sure to make you look smart!
October 14, 2006
Imagine...
Rob Gonsalves' paintings are reminiscent of M.C. Escher, not to mention utterly delightful. Both of my kids really like these books. If I absolutely had to choose only one, I'd go with the second one:
Kitchen Science & Cookbooks
Two great books for any foody, especially the scientifically inclined foody:
What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained Written by Chemistry professor (and food columnist) Robert L. Wolke.
CookWise If you're a fan of Alton Brown, you've seen Shirley O. Corriher answering those tricky food science questions. Her cookbook is a must have!September 21, 2006
Peter Sis
Peter Sis's illustrations are in a class of their own--combining traditional etching with and modern techniques. His illustrated biographies of Charles Darwin and Gallileo Galiliei are detailed and mesmerizing. He captures the brilliance of these two great thinkers, and adds his own. These two books are essentials for any library, for either children or grown. I bought them for myself, but my kids love them.
September 19, 2006
Ernst Haeckel - Art Forms in Nature
The scientific illustrations of Ernst Haeckel are remarkable, and works of art in themselves. When I need some inspiration, I often pull down one of these books, curl up in a comfy chair, and enjoy the work of a genius.
August 08, 2006
Leon the Chameleon
Leon the Chameleon, by Malanie Watt.
Leon is a chameleon, and changes color...but not quite the same as other chameleons. Leon just can't help changing the opposite color. This wonderful book about finding one's place, is also a great way to introduce color theory to kids. This is one of my all time favorites, for reading to my own kids.
Dinos To Go
Dinos To Go: 7 nifty dinosaurs in 1 swell book, by Sandra Boynton.
This is such a fun book for little kids!
A New Kind of Science
A New Kind of Science, by Stephen Wolfram.
Visual Encyclopedia of Science
DK Visual Encyclopedia of Science
I love DK books, and their fantatic photo illustrations. While this book is really a reference, it's also lots of fun to cuddle up with your pre-reader and explore page after page of fascinating pictures. You can read the captions for the images that interest them. A great way to spark curiosity early, and get them excited about "looking it up".
Digging for Bird-Dinosaurs
Digging for Bird-Dinosaurs: An Expedition to MadagascarAugust 07, 2006
There Was A Bold Lady
There was a bold lady who wanted a star. This wonderful book, by Charise Mericle Harper is a variation on the old lady who swallowed a fly story. But in this version, a bold lady travels to reach a star. Vivid and fun illstrations, with whacky animals and even a turtle rocket salesman.