By Janie Reinart
Can you solve this problem? I'm counting on you. Don't make a miscallulated move. Just try the monthly challenge. Do a number on it--that is write about numbers and math. Tally these books on the subject.
A story written in rhyme with wonderful back matter is The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague. The author is Julia Finley Mosca. The book is illustrated by Daniel Rieley.
"A real SUBMARINE!"
Her eyes opened wide.
"Who made it? she asked,
as they followed the guide.
`"ENGINEERS," said the man,
giving Raye's head a pat.
"But my dear, YOU don't need to know all about that."
The heroine of this story was a mathematical genius. Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 is written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. The end pages are covered in calculations.
"Katherine yearned to know as much as she could about numbers, about the universe--about everything!"
" Katherine's boundless curiosity turned her into a star student. She was so bright, she skipped three whole grades. She catapulted right past her brother! (He wasn't too happy about that.)"
Another true story of a mathematician is the story of Sophie Germain. Nothing Stopped Sophie:The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain by Cheryl Bardoe and illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Not only do the end pages have calculations on them, but numbers are featured in the art work throughout the book.
"Long ago in Paris, a young girl named Sophie Germain understood that math could do more than measure the lengths of silk and tally accounts in her father's shop. In those days, people scoffed at girls for thinking about anything more serious than hair ribbons or what music to play on the pianoforte. But nothing stopped Sophie."
Your days are numbered? I'm counting on you! Write a story about numbers and math. It all adds up!
Oh, Janie, so many great puns here! I love all the stories you featured.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. I can always count on you :)
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ReplyDeleteLovely! And what terrific books! As a child, my favorite books were biographies. So inspiring! BUT I did not have the right wiring for math so I developed a math-phobia. (Dreaded timed-multiplication-tests!) But your post has given me a nugget of an idea for a story about my experience
ReplyDeleteLove when that happens! Happy writing.
DeleteA great list of number-oriented books to read. Adding them to my list for the library.
ReplyDeleteGreat!
DeleteLove these books! Great for when kids ask "WHY do I have to learn math?" Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome.
DeleteLOVE this post, Janie! And I can't wait to read these math books!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kirsti.
DeleteLove this! I’ve been looking at math mentor texts, so this cake at a perfect time. 😀
ReplyDeleteTiming is everything. Happy to help.
DeleteThese books look fabulous! I'll be putting them on my TBR pile. As a former engineer, I'm thinking I should do more to share my love for math in my writing. Thinking....thinking...
ReplyDeleteYes, share the math love, Jilanne!
DeleteMy CP is striding with these terrific mentor texts!! Thank you, Janie :)
ReplyDeleteI can always count on you Charlotte.
DeleteLOVE these, Janie. I need to create a list of women inventors for a guest blog post on Pragmatic Mom...I will definitely be adding these to my list!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Vivian. Congrats on all your book babies! :)
DeleteWho knew that math could be so much fun! What a terrific list you've shared. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletePatricia, I am not a numbers person, but enjoyed them too!
ReplyDeleteGreat prompt. I started writing before I finished reading the post. An idea has been adding up bit by bit in my head. words started to flow. Thank you for the challenge. Thank you also for the list of biographies.
ReplyDeleteSarah you rock! Write on!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed learning about these picture books!
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