Math Appeal: Mind-Stretching Math Riddles

Greg Tang has come up with a terrific concept for getting kids to think mathematically and creatively at the same time. The lit major in me gets excited about the ingeniousness of using verse, which is itself pattern-dependent, to present word problems that encourage kids to think about math problems in terms of patterns. That part of me also wonders whether math might not have been less of a struggle for me had I mastered some of the little tricks that Tang's book helps kids master.The book works on multiple levels. Kids on the younger end of the age range may use it as a straight counting and basic pattern book. The bright, attractive illustrations on each page will keep them engaged. Kids on the older end of the range will quickly pick up Tang's trick for grouping and rearranging objects to make finding a sum easier. They'll have a chance to use not just addition and subtraction, but also simple multiplication.The problems in the book represent a substantial range of difficulty. Some patterns will be easy to find, some a bit more challenging. This mom was grateful for the answer key when it came to two particularly difficult puzzles. Highly recommend!

I think this book is a great idea.This book was recommended to use with 4th graders by an elementary teacher. I bought it for future reading for my second grader and left it lying around to see if it would peak her interest. Before long she was perusing the book and asking insightful questions. This ia a great gateway book for kids advancing in mathematics.

Great book in terms of content! Condition of the book was used, but I disagree as to the "good" it was given.

Great book for learning skip counting and totaling arraysRhymes are fun and pictures are great - wonderful variety

Good book but for a much younger child. Probably K-2nd depending on your child's learning level. But it has been a while since I read it. However, I know it was definitely too young for my 9 year old.

Fantastic math resource

Playful puns and brilliantly colored double page spreads offer readers the challenge of finding strategies such as identifying the pattern in a group of objects in order to count them. Here is an engaging lesson in problem solving that could be used individually or in a classroom. Teacher notes are included at the end of the book

Great