
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with math or dismisses it as a series of boring, rigid rules. It is the perfect antidote for the 'when am I ever going to use this' phase, offering a whimsical and highly visual entry point into the world of numbers. By pairing Carl Sandburg's rhythmic, playful poetry with Ted Rand's mind-bending anamorphic illustrations, the book shifts the focus from calculation to imagination. While the text celebrates the abstract joy of arithmetic, the real magic lies in the art: images that appear distorted until viewed from a specific angle or with a special tool. It is ideal for children aged 6 to 10 who enjoy puzzles, drawing, or optical illusions. This book is a wonderful way to foster curiosity and show your child that math is not just about right or wrong answers, but about seeing the world from a brand new perspective.
None. The book is entirely secular and focuses on mathematical concepts and artistic techniques.
A second or third grader who is a 'visual thinker.' This is the child who doodles in the margins of their math homework because they find the numbers dry. It is for the kid who loves 'I Spy' books but is ready for something that feels more like a sophisticated art experiment.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewIt is helpful to read the explanation of anamorphosis at the end before starting the book so you can guide your child on how to tilt the pages to see the hidden images properly. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'Math is boring,' or witnessing a meltdown over a worksheet. It is a tool to re-engage a frustrated learner by changing the medium of the message.
Younger children (6-7) will enjoy the rhythmic poem and the 'magic' of the changing pictures. Older children (8-10) will be more interested in the 'how' and will likely gravitate toward the instructional section to try the technique themselves.
While many books try to make math fun through stories, this one uses high-concept art and classic literature. It bridges the gap between STEM and the fine arts in a way that feels seamless and sophisticated.
This book is a visual and lyrical exploration of Carl Sandburg's poem 'Arithmetic.' The text treats numbers as playful entities that can be added, subtracted, and multiplied in ways that feel more like a game than a chore. Ted Rand accompanies the verse with anamorphic illustrations: drawings that are intentionally distorted and require the reader to tilt the book or use a reflective surface to see the 'correct' image. The back matter includes a scientific explanation of anamorphosis and a DIY guide for creating your own distorted art.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.