Math & Cultural

April 2015 will mark the first annual awarding of the Mathical: Books for Kids from Tots to Teens book prize. Awarded by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC), the Mathical Prize will recognize the most inspiring math-related fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages. With more than 170 submissions already in hand, ranging from toddler books to young adult novels, this prize is sure to gain the attention of parents and teachers across the country. Selection committee co-chairs are American children’s writer Jon Scieszka (guysread.com, The Math Curse) and Rebecca Goldin (Professor, Director of Research at George Mason University, statistician), with additional committee members comprised of teachers, librarians, early childhood experts and mathematicians. Additionally, MSRI, together with the Children’s Book Council, has teamed with First Book to help expand the reach of this year’s winning Mathical books. First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 120 million brand new books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.

For more information about the Mathical Book Prize, see mathicalbooks.org.