Math is fun and more than just numbers! All of these books won a Mathical Book Prize between 2015 and 2022. Mathical awards books that introduce mathematical concepts found in the world around us, from patterns, to sorting to geometry and more. Early exposure to these concepts can help minds as they advance in their academic and worldly endeavors. For more information, please visit their website here.
Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani by Megan Reid
This is the true story of Maryam Mirzakhani who started out not liking math as a young child and then fell in love with geometry. Geometry studies points, lines, shapes, and dimensions. She became a master and created formulas used to predict weather, plot rocket ship paths, and predict how diseases might spread. Maryam was the first woman and the first Iranian to ever win the coveted Fields Medal for math. This book is great for Kindergarten and up. Won in 2022.
Available formats: Book
The Animals Would Not Sleep! by Sara Levine
Marco needs to clean up his room so he can get to bed. He likes to sort his animal friends and finds there are many different characteristics he can use to sort them. He wants all of them comfortable and Mom wants him to hurry up. Good for all children ready for a picture book. Won in 2021.
Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)
Lia and Luis: Who Has More? by Ana Crespo
A brother and sister bicker over who has more snacks. They find many ways to compare who has more, from the number of containers to their snacks’ weights. A great story for preschool to early elementary. Won in 2021.
Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)
One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read
One hungry fox and several plump hens decorate the pages of this picture book. You count from 1 to 10 as you watch the story unfold. The story is all told with the pictures and the counting. Won in 2020.
Available formats: Book
Pigeon Math by Asia Citro
The narrator is trying to tell the story of 10 pigeons one bright morning, but they keep flying off and then returning randomly. Addition and subtraction are introduced both in concept and also with nomenclature on each page. A picture book well suited for PreK to First grade. Won in 2020.
Available Formats: Book
Crash! Boom! A Math Tale by Robie H Harris
An elephant friend builds with blocks, but doesn’t like it when their tower falls. How many big and how many small blocks can make the same size tower? You can count and you can compare. A great introduction to size and comparisons. Won in 2019.
Available formats: Book
A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth Fishman
This book uses astronomy as a backdrop to introducing the concept of very large numbers. These numbers are so big, they write them out as numbers and as words so the reader knows how to say them correctly. I would wait on this book until at least kindergarten so that kids have a strong understanding of numbers through at least 100. Won in 2018.
Available formats: Book, Vox Books
One Very Big Bear by Alice Briere-Haquet
One polar bear thinks he is almost a giant. The other animals show how they can stand together to be as tall as the bear. The concept of basic addition and size are simply and adorably depicted. Well suited to preschool to first grade readers. Won in 2017.
Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)
Max’s Math by Kate Banks
Max and his brothers set out on a math-rich adventure. Max is looking for “problems” to solve, like sorting socks, counting vehicles and combining shapes to make new shapes. I recommend reading his book to a child with a working knowledge of counting and common shapes. Won in 2016.
Available Formats: Book
One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl
Can two bears share one pair of underwear? The animals in this story find their numbers are not well matched with the snacks and pillows they find. If they learn to share, there might be enough for everyone to have fun. A classic picture book for anyone PreK to First grade. Won in 2015.
Available Formats: Book, Cd+Book
Have you seen my Dragon? by Steve Light
A child is searching for his dragon in a black and white city landscape. Items are highlighted in a bright color on each page to count. Each page also offers a chance to find the missing dragon hidden somewhere in the image. A great picture book for PreK to First grade. Won in 2015.
Available formats: Book
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