Books to inspire an education

Looking for some books to expand your child’s horizons as they begin a lifetime of learning? Here are a few titles to inspire some creative learning in your little scholar.

Math Potatoes, by Greg Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs (©2005 Scholastic), uses clever riddles and visual problems to bring math to life. Reading this book will cause even the most math-phobic parent to stretch their rusty skills with enthusiasm. The book conveniently includes solutions for the math riddles at the end of the book. If you’re looking for a creative way to introduce math problems beyond 2+2=4 to your youngster, this book is an excellent tool.

If your toddler isn’t quite ready for equations yet, The 1,2,3 Bees, by Nicole Wheldon, illustrated by Diana Zourelias-Noro (©2005 Acmon Blue Publishing), is a good way to introduce your child to numbers one through 10. Your toddler will enjoy the illustrations of dozy bees lazing among the flowers, and if you give him a chance to count the bees on each page, before you know it he’ll be counting everything else he can find!

When it comes to teaching your child how to print, I Spy an Eye and Rhyme Time, by Elizabeth Encarnacion, illustrated by Barroux (©2005 Running Press), are book-sized classrooms. Complete with chalk, eraser, and cleaning cloth, these books are clever, fun ways to educate your three- to six-year-old. Both books feature erasable surfaces on each page—with opportunities to draw pictures, copy letters, and answer simple questions.

Food For Thought, by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers (©2005 Arthur A. Levine Books), is an entertaining educational book that covers the basics—shapes, colors, numbers, letters, and opposites. Quirky photos of food are entertaining and educational, which makes learning the concepts they illustrate all the more fun!

For a whole school year in one book, try My Kindergarten, by Rosemary Wells (©2004 Hyperion). Beginning with September and encompassing the entire school year, this is a great guide to your child’s Kindergarten experience. My Kindergarten incorporates a sense of community throughout the book, emphasizing inclusion, compassion, and kindness, while providing lessons on everything from Geography to Music. Wells has created an invaluable resource for parents and children to share.