Many children's books have significant, but brief, allusions to mathematical ideas. In general, the examples chosen for this booklet are suitable not only for passing comment but for expansion into a subsequent mathematics lesson or activity. Further Resources Recent elementary school textbook authors have made significant efforts to use children's literature in their mathematics programs. Some series have stories written exclusively for the mathematics program. These stories are a valuable resource for teachers and should be used in conjunction with the more general types of children's literature described in this book.
Some books involve attitudes toward mathematics rather than any specific mathematical topic.
Some books refer explicitly to children's experiences with mathematics in school. The picture is seldom flattering. She is told that the expected answer is 12, and she is then asked what 8 and 4 are. You just said that 7 and 5 are 12. There should be some rhyme and reason to things, even in school.