Math Appeal
Author: Greg Tang
Publisher: Scholastic Press, New York 2003
Ages: 7 - 10

Greg Tang is one of my favorite children book math authors. Math Appeal is a book of rhymes/riddles with helpful hints. On the left-hand side, a brain-teaser is presented in picture form. On the right-hand side, the problem and hints to solve it are within the riddle and suggests a variety of ways to solve the problem. In all of his books, he combines problem solving with arithmetic in a fun learning manner. In fact, Tang states he incorporates four concepts, “thinking outside of the box, finding strategic sums, using subtraction to add, and simplifying through patterns and symmetry.” In my opinion, he does just what he says. Meanwhile, you think you’re just having fun reading. Other books by Tang are


Math For All Seasons (counting and arithmetic)(ages 5 – 8)

Math Fables (ages 3 – 6)

Math Terpieces (combines math and Art history)(ages 7-12)

Math Potatoes (problem solving combined with multiplication)(ages 8 – 13)

Math Fables Too (uses sciences to get kids attention) (ages 3 – 7)