Math for Kids, the fourth book of The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series, brings math to life through biography and creative engagement.

*2023 Mathical Book Prize Honor Book, Grades 3-5​*
*2024 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Hands-On Science Book Longlist*

Go beyond counting. Solve puzzles, learn a magic trick, and play a ton of games.

This engaging guide offers a series of snapshots of 20+ mathematicians, from ancient history through today, paired with related hands-on projects perfect for a kitchen or a classroom. Each lab tells the story of a mathematician along with some background about the importance of their work, and a description of where it is still being used or reflected in today’s world.

A step-by-step illustrated game or activity paired with each story offers kids an opportunity to engage directly with concepts the mathematicians pursued, or are working on today. Experiments range from very simple projects using materials you probably already have on hand, to more complicated ones that may require a few inexpensive items you can purchase online. Just a few of the incredible people and scientific concepts you’ll explore:

Hypatia (b. ~350–370)
Square Wheels

Florence Nightingale (b. 1820)
Pizza Pie Charts

Emmy Noether (b. 1882)
Fabulous Folding Flexagons

Ron Graham (b. 1935)
Fibbonacci Spiral

Fan Chung (b. 1949)
Corners and Edges and Faces! Oh my!

With this fascinating, hands-on exploration of the history of mathematics, inspire the next generation of great mathematicians.


Dig into even more incredible science history from The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series with: Chemistry for Kids, Biology for Kids, Physics for Kids, and Ecology for Kids.

Illustrated by: Kelly Anne Dalton