There are a number of great math picture books available these days. Try these books to help your child develop a love of mathematics. Even the most math-phobic kids can learn to appreciate the beauty of logic and patterns, symmetry and symbols. The books discussed here are all nicely illustrated and highly entertaining. To get the most out of them, I recommend purchasing books if possible, and not just borrowing, as repetition will really reinforce the concepts.

Stuart Murphy, prolific author of the Mathstart series, has produced the best math picture books I've seen for preschool and early school age children. Murphy introduces one concept in each book and cleverly weaves it into his story. Each book is conveniently rated according to the target audience. A Pair of Socks is all about matching pairs, while the more advanced Divide and Ride teaches beginning division with an amusement park theme.

Pat Hutchins has written several lovely math oriented stories aimed at young children. The Doorbell Rang is probably her best known work. In this book, two children have to divide a plate of chocolate chip cookies evenly between an ever growing number of unexpected guests. It's sure to make kids giggle!

Greg Tang should win an award for best math titles! His works include The Grapes of Math, The Best of Times, and Mathterpieces. His work is best for the mid to late elementary school level. The artwork is memorable and these books are sure to please!

Author Amy Axelrod and illustrator Sharon McGinley-Nally have teamed up to make around half a dozen hilarious math adventures starring a family of well dressed pigs. Pigs Will be Pigs is the first in the series, a book about math and money. The pig family motto is Math + Reading = Fun! I agree wholeheartedly! The Pig books are best for advanced kids from about age three to seven.

Anyone who does math with pretzels is my kind of guy! David A. Adler has written some excellent math books for kids. Titles like How Tall, How Short, How Faraway and Fraction Fun make it clear what ideas are addressed in each book. This series is whimsically illustrated and full of fun.

This list is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other wonderful math books for elementary age children, and even mathematical novels for older kids! Have fun!