In my previous post, I ran through some lessons I’ve learned about interactive read alouds and shared a few of my favorite books for K–1. And while many of those books can absolutely stretch up into grades 2–5, there are others that, because of their math content or overall reading complexity, are a better fit for this upper‑elementary grade band. So today, I’m sharing a set of book recommendations that support joyful exploration and productive mathematical discussions! These titles open space for noticing patterns, justifying ideas, engaging in debate, and connecting mathematical thinking to the world around them.

And if you’re working across multiple grade levels, you can always revisit my earlier K–1 read‑aloud list. Together, the two posts offer a collection of my favorite books that invite curiosity, support authentic access to the mathematics, and build a shared mathematical community from kindergarten all the way through fifth grade.

Concept	Book Suggestions
Number and Operations	Equal Shmequal by Virginia Kroll One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes A Remainder of One by Elinor J. Pinczes How Much Is a Million? by David M. Schwartz 100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by Larochelle & Cho Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison Hello Numbers by Harriss and Hughes
Fractions	The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard Give Me Half! by Stuart J. Murphy The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins How Many Ways Can You Cut a Pie? by Jane Belk Moncure
Measurement and Data	Spaghetti and Meatballs For All! by Marilyn Burns How Big Is a Foot? by Rolf Myller The Penny Pot by Stuart Murphy Curious Comparisons by Jorge Doneiger Coa Chong Weighs and Elephant by Songju Ma Daemicke Greater Estimations by Bruce Goldstone Actual Size by Steve Jenkins Which Would You Rather Be? by William Steig
Geometry	This is Not a Maths Book by Anna Weltman (not really a children’s book, but it is sooo good!) Which One Doesn’t Belong? by Christopher Danielson Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tompert

I hope this collection gives you fresh inspiration for sparking mathematical curiosity in your classrooms. The best way to know whether a read aloud resonates with yourself and students is simply to try it. You can see how your students respond, notice the ideas they generate, and decide how to leverage their thinking toward the learning goal.

Give these titles a spin, and let me know what mathematical conversations they open up for you and your students. I’d love to hear what you try!

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