8 Picture Books that Promote Algebraic Reasoning

Making connections and visualizing are important skills for the overall development of a child and a teacher doesn't have to wait for "reading time" to help students with these skills.

Likewise, parents can switch up their bedtime story routine by incorporating books that have a mathematical basis.

Incorporating picture books and comprehension strategies into your routine even just once a week will help a child begin to understand that math truly is everywhere and all around us while giving them the space and time to make sense of mathematical concepts in a non threatening way.

Access to these rich stories with a mathematical base is the first step and thankfully, there is a growing collection of high-quality children's books that focus on mathematical concepts.

Below, I have compiled a list of eight such books that specifically focus on building reasoning and sense-making within the domain of algebra.

Head to your local library to check out these titles, purchase online for your e-reader, or buy a few hard copies to start building your own collection of quality math books.

8 Picture Books that Promote Algebraic Reasoning and Sense Making:

1. Safari Park by Stuart Murphy

2. Math Curse by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

3. The Sundae Scoop by Stuart Murphy

4. A Quarter from the Tooth Fairy by Caren Holtzman

5. Anno's Magic Seeds by Mitsumasa Anno

6. Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst

7. 12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam

8. Dinosaur Deals by Stuart Murphy

PRO TIP FOR TEACHERS:

•When you add a title to your classroom library collection, place a label on the front or back cover of book indicating "algebraic reasoning" or whatever the concept might be for a book. This way you can quickly access which books to pull for planning purposes throughout the year.