Math Delights

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Real-World Math for Hands-On Fun!

by Cindy A. Littlefield. This book is filled with enjoyable mathematical activities for kids.

How Math Works: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Wonders of Mathematics

by Carol Vorderman. "Here is a stimulating guide to the wonders of mathematics packed with enlightening experiments for the whole family. ... Hundreds of hands-on experiments that help you understand the basic mathematical principles." (Descriptions from the back cover.)

The Math Book for Girls and Other Beings Who Count

by Valerie Wyatt. Review from Scientific American: "Are you looking for a new answer to the homework-induced question, "What do I need math for, anyway?" If so, this book is worth a peek. Guided by a newfangled fairy godmother, Nora (short for Natural Observation Research Activator), readers are led through mathematical games and activities that highlight the different uses of math around us. For example, readers are shown how to determine the area of an object--Nora's carpet, which she wants to spray with cat repellent. Readers have to figure out if Nora has enough spray to cover the entire carpet. (She also decides to spray herself, in the process showing us a trick for finding the area of irregular shapes.) Nora helps kids make connections between mathematics and art through projects that explore proportions, patterning and symmetry. She also presents other mathematical concepts, such as graphing, probability and codes. The book inspires young readers with short profiles of 15 women who have interesting careers (such as veterinarian, architect, fabric designer, and cryptographer) in which math is an essential tool. Though not intended exclusively for girls (as the title says, it is also for "Other Beings Who Count"), the book is written specifically with girls in mind. Therefore, some of the activities (especially in the section "All Dolled Up") may not appeal to boys or to girls who aren't thrilled by "girly" stuff. But the book serves a very important purpose. Sometimes even very talented girls are turned off by mathematics for reasons that have nothing to do with their mathematical ability, and so it is important to help girls forge lasting connections between mathematics and what goes on in their own worlds. This book does just that."

Intended for 3rd-6th graders.