10+ Best Math Books for 7-8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect math books for 7-8-year-olds that make learning fun and engaging? You've come to the right place! Whether your child is a budding mathematician or just starting to explore numbers, we’ve curated a selection of books that will capture their interest and enhance their skills. Keep reading to discover our top picks for math books that are ideal for 7-8-year-olds, and find the perfect fit to support your child’s educational journey!

Fun Math Books for 7-8-Year-Olds

• The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book presents a series of fun math riddles that encourage children to think outside the box and develop their problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes math fun and engaging through clever rhymes and challenging puzzles that will captivate young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy puzzles and games and are looking to see math in a new, exciting way.

• Math Curse by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
  • Genre(s): Humor, Educational
  • Synopsis: A young girl wakes up to find her ordinary life turned into a series of math problems she needs to solve.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively integrates math into everyday situations, showing how fun and ubiquitous math can be.
  • Perfect for: Children who think math is boring or scary, as it presents math in a humorous and relatable way.

• Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Wayne Geehan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Educational
  • Synopsis: This story introduces geometry through the adventures of Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses medieval adventures and clever puns to make geometry accessible and entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories of knights and quests, and who are learning or curious about geometry.

• The Best of Times: Math Strategies that Multiply by Greg Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers innovative and easy-to-understand methods for learning multiplication.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides clear strategies for mastering multiplication, making it less daunting and more enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Students who are beginning to learn multiplication and could use some fun and effective strategies to help them along.

• Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late by Laura Overdeck, illustrated by Jim Paillot
  • Genre(s): Educational, Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book turns bedtime into a fun, math-infused time by presenting math problems through engaging, bedtime-themed stories.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes math a cozy and exciting part of the bedtime routine.
  • Perfect for: Kids who need a little nudge to enjoy math and parents who want to incorporate learning into everyday routines.

Educational Math Books for 7-8-Year-Olds

• Addition and Subtraction Art by William Ford
  • Genre(s): Educational, Art, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive book combines art with math, allowing children to solve addition and subtraction problems that reveal hidden pictures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic arithmetic (addition and subtraction), creativity through art
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively blends art with mathematics, making learning basic operations fun and visually engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and coloring, and need a creative approach to learning math.

• The Multiplying Menace by Pam Calvert, illustrated by Wayne Geehan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: Rumpelstiltskin returns and uses his powers of multiplication to cause mayhem, and it's up to Peter to save the kingdom.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Multiplication concepts, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces multiplication in a thrilling, story-driven context that keeps children engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and adventure stories while learning new math skills.

• One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J Pinczes, illustrated by Bonnie MacKain
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: One hundred ants march to a picnic and rearrange themselves in various formations, teaching division and multiplication along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Division, multiplication, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fun and memorable visual representation of division and multiplication through an engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Children who are visual learners and enjoy stories with animals and playful scenarios.

• Zero the Hero by Joan Holub, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor, Educational
  • Synopsis: Zero feels like a nothing, but when trouble arises, he proves that he is a true hero, showcasing the importance of the number zero in math.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding the concept of zero, basic arithmetic
  • Why we recommend this book: It personifies numbers in a humorous and relatable way, making the concept of zero and its function in math easy to understand.
  • Perfect for: Kids who like superhero stories and need to grasp foundational math concepts in an enjoyable way.

• The Action of Subtraction by Brian P. Cleary, illustrated by Brian Gable
  • Genre(s): Educational, Humor
  • Synopsis: This book uses funny rhymes and colorful illustrations to explain the concept of subtraction, making it easy and fun to understand.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Subtraction skills, mathematical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: Its playful use of rhymes and illustrations simplifies subtraction, making it less intimidating and more accessible.
  • Perfect for: Young students who enjoy humorous rhymes and need a fun way to learn subtraction basics.

Challenging Math Books for 7-8-Year-Olds

• The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, illustrated by Rotraut Susanne Berner
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: This novel follows a young boy named Robert who has recurring dreams where a little Number Devil teaches him higher-level mathematics.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex mathematical concepts such as Fibonacci numbers, factorials, and prime numbers in a narrative format.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines storytelling with learning, making complex mathematical concepts accessible and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good story and are ready to explore more advanced math concepts.

• Mathematicians Are People, Too: Stories from the Lives of Great Mathematicians, Vol. 1 by Luetta Reimer and Wilbert Reimer
  • Genre(s): Biography, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book shares inspiring stories of famous mathematicians throughout history, bringing their achievements and challenges to life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a range of historical and technical content that provides a deeper understanding of the impact of mathematics through the ages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It humanizes the field of mathematics by sharing personal stories of renowned mathematicians, encouraging a deeper interest in math.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in history and stories of personal achievement.

• The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat by Theoni Pappas
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: Penrose, a clever cat, introduces children to important mathematical concepts through his adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores topics like fractals, infinity, and the Möbius strip in ways that are not typically presented to children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses the curiosity of a cat to explore mathematical concepts, making it fun and intriguing.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy animal characters and are curious about different and complex mathematical ideas.

• G Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book by David M. Schwartz, illustrated by Marissa Moss
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This alphabet book introduces mathematical terms and concepts for each letter of the alphabet, from A for Abacus to Z for Zero.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes a wide range of mathematical terminology and concepts, some of which are quite advanced.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique and alphabetical approach to learning about math, expanding vocabulary and knowledge in a structured way.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are just starting to explore the vast world of mathematics and enjoy learning through structured formats like the alphabet.

• The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan, illustrated by Patricia Reid Baquero
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Beremiz Samir, a mathematical genius, who uses his mathematical skills to solve problems and mysteries in his adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It integrates advanced mathematical puzzles and theories within the storyline.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines mathematics with adventure, making the subject matter engaging and the problem-solving aspect thrilling.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love adventure stories and are eager to challenge their mathematical thinking skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-8-year-old develop great reading habits while diving into math books, you've come to the right place! Here are some fun and effective exercises that can turn math book reading into an exciting adventure. These exercises are designed to enhance comprehension and foster a love for learning.

• Create a Math Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Compile a list of new math terms and their definitions while reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of math concepts and builds vocabulary.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to add to the list regularly and review it together.

• Summarize Math Stories
  • What it is: After reading a section, summarize the math problem and solution in their own words.
  • How it helps: Improves retention and comprehension of math concepts.
  • Tips: Keep the summaries brief and discuss them to reinforce understanding.

• Draw the Problem
  • What it is: Visualize and draw the math problem described in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding complex problems by breaking them down visually.
  • Tips: Use colored pencils or markers to make the activity more engaging.

• Pair Reading with Practical Math
  • What it is: Apply math concepts from the book in real-life situations.
  • How it helps: Shows the real-world application of math, enhancing interest and understanding.
  • Tips: Simple activities like baking (measuring ingredients) or shopping (calculating costs) can be effective.

• Math Book Club
  • What it is: Form a small group to read and discuss math books together.
  • How it helps: Encourages discussion and deeper understanding of the material.
  • Tips: Schedule regular meetings and prepare discussion questions in advance.

Incorporating these exercises into your child's reading routine can transform the way they perceive and understand math. Not only do these activities make learning more interactive, but they also help build confidence in handling mathematical concepts. So grab those math books, pick an exercise, and start fostering a deeper love and understanding of math in your child’s life. Happy reading and calculating!