Geometry is all around us in our everyday lives. Whether you are teaching children to identify 2-D and 3-D shapes, explore area and perimeter, or to identify symmetry, picture books can help! Here are some great children’s books about geometry.
You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each book.
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Circus Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy
Circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles – every one of these basic shapes is introduced by a cast of favorite circus animals under the big top. This is a Level 1 book in the Math Start series.
Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy
Captain Invincible must use three-dimensional shapes to help him get back to Earth safely in this action-packed intergalactic adventure! This is a Level 2 book in the Math Start series.
Racing Around by Stuart J. Murphy
It’s a long way around Perimeter Path! Mike’s brother and sister say he’s too young to compete in the 15-kilometer bike race. But if Mike just gets a chance, he knows he can make it all the way around. This is a Level 2 book in the Math Start series.
Hamster Champs by Stuart J. Murphy
With a few blocks, a board, and a protractor to measure the angles, the hamster champs have built a ramp that lets them fly high! But will this stunt be good enough to outwit Hector the cat? This is a Level 3 book in the Math Start series.
Seeing Symmetry by Loreen Leedy
Once you start looking, you can find symmetry all around you. Symmetry is when one shape looks the same if you flip, slide, or turn it. It’s in words and even letters. It’s in both nature and man-made things. In fact, art, design, decoration, and architecture are full of it. This clear and concise book explains different types of symmetry and shows you how to make your own symmetrical masterpieces.
Spaghetti and Meatballs for All! by Marilyn Burns
Mr. and Mrs. Comfort are having a family reunion! Mr. Comfort starts cooking up his famous spaghetti and meatballs, while Mrs. Comfort carefully arranges eight tables and thirty-two chairs so that everyone will have a seat. The tables look lovely, the food is ready, and here come the guests–with their own seating plans! This book uses wit and humor to draw children into thinking about area and perimeter.
The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
The concept of angles and shapes takes on a fun twist when a triangle decides he wants to add more angles to his shape and eventually realizes that his desire to be something else can have unexpected results.
Shape Up! by David A. Adler
This book uses cheese slices, pretzel sticks, a slice of bread, graph paper, a pencil, and more to introduce various polygons, flat shapes with varying numbers of straight sides.
Triangles by David A. Adler
This book tackles questions about different kinds of triangles with two friendly kids and one savvy robot. Mathematical terms, such as angle, vertex, equilateral, isosceles, scalene, similar, and congruent, are explained along the way.
Perimeter, Area, and Volume by David A. Adler
Grab your jumbo popcorn and 3-D glasses. You’re invited to the premiere of a 3-D movie! The star-studded cast of monsters will help you calculate the perimeter of the set, the area of the movie screen, and the volume of your box of popcorn. Learning about dimensions has never been so entertaining.
Windows, Rings, and Grapes: A Look at Different Shapes by Brian P. Cleary
In this humorous look at shapes, Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable introduce circles, ovals, triangles, squares, and rectangles. The comical cats of the wildly popular Words Are CATegorical® series explain how to identify each shape and provide loads of examples. Peppy rhymes, goofy illustrations, and kid-friendly examples make shaping up a snap!
Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tompert
When Little Soo asks for a story, Grandfather Tang arranges the tangram pieces and two magic fox fairies spring to life. The foxes change shapes as quick as a wink, from rabbits to dogs to squirrels and geese. But their game turns dangerous when a hunter raises his bow.
Zachary Zormer: Shape Transformer by Joanne Reisberg
Friday is Zachary Zormer’s favorite day of the week. At least it is until he realizes he forgot this week’s assignment, “Bring in something fun to measure.” Tyler, the class show-off, brings a picture of himself from the newspaper. How can Zack top that when all he has to work with is a piece of paper he finds in his pocket? Week after week Zack takes on a different math concept (length, width, area, perimeter) with surprising projects including a mobius strip, a paper frame large enough to step through, and a light show that demonstrates how the sun heats the earth.
Mummy Math by Cindy Neuschwander
When the Zills family is summoned to Egypt to help find the hidden burial site of an ancient pharaoh, Matt and Bibi are locked into an adventure they did not expect. Stuck inside a pyramid with only each other, their dog Riley, and geometric hieroglyphics to help them find their way, the twins must use their math knowledge to solve the riddles on the walls and locate the burial chamber. Luckily, the two know their stuff when it comes to geometric solids.
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table Cindy Neuschwander
King Arthur was a good ruler, but now he needs a good ruler. What would you do if the neighboring kingdom were threatening war? Naturally, you’d call your strongest and bravest knights together to come up with a solution. But when your conference table causes more problems than the threat of your enemy, you need expert help. With the help of the carpenter, Geo of Metry, Sir Cumference’s family designs the perfect table conducive to discussing the perfect plan for peace.
What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras? by Julie Ellis
Children can test their math skills and learn the Pythagorean Theorem alongside young Pythagoras in this STEM adventure. Pythagoras’ curiosity takes him from Samos to Alexandria, where he meets a builder named Neferheperhersekeper, who introduces him to the right angle. While building, Pythagoras uses geometry to learn how to measure angles and discovers all he needs to know about right triangles. With playful puns and wordplay Ellis creates the perfect STEM/STEAM resource for introducing young readers to a fundamental mathematical equation. A fun and accessible way to get young minds asking “what’s your angle?”
Three Pigs, One Wolf, Seven Magic Shapes by Grace Maccarone
This book tells the story of three pigs who acquire some magic shapes, which they use for various purposes, some smart and some not so smart.
Chickens on the Move by Meg Belviso
Grandpa has a surprise for Tim, Anne, and Gordon – CHICKENS! Now, where should they put the chickens and their new home? Each time they move the fence, the home becomes a different shape, but the perimeter stays the same.
Sam’s Sneaker Squares by Nat Gabriel
When Sam devises “sneaker squares,” he uses them to measure the area of the lawns he mows for his neighbors. Will his calculations help him earn enough money to buy the bike of his dreams?
If You Were a Polygon by Marcie Aboff
What could you do if you were a polygon? You could have at least three straight sides. You could be a kite, a star, or a stop sign. What else could you be if you were a polygon?
If You Were a Quadrilateral by Marcie Aboff
If you were a quadrilateral, you would have four straight sides. You could be a checkerboard, a kite, or a yoga mat. What else could you be if you were a quadrilateral?
Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban
Whenever you are — inside or outside — there are shapes to discover. And with Tana Hoban’s help you will begin to see them. Look around. How many circles, squares, stars, triangles, hearts, and rectangles can you see?
So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban
Tana Hoban changes the way we look at the world. After you read this book, you will find yourself seeing circles and squares everywhere. And they will surprise you — because they will be where you have often looked before. You will have changed — and begun to see.
Cubes, Cones, Cylinders, and Spheres by Tana Hoban
Cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres. Sounds sophisticated? Only until you look at Tana Hoban’s incomparable photographs and realize that those shapes are the stuff of everyday life. They are all around us all the time. In our houses, on our streets, in our hands.
You can find some games and activities for geometry here. Do you have any books you love for teaching students about geometry and shapes? I’d love to check them out!
Click below to find more book lists by math topics.
Happy Teaching!
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