Mental Maths: The ability to calculate maths problems quickly and accurately is a skill that we use all of our lives. These books provide readers with helpful tips and suggestions that are immediately useful. Presented in fun, engaging ways, mathematicians of all experiences will discover some valuable tidbits to help them refine and practise this skill.
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Learn With Ladybird: Mental Maths
by Ladybird Books
Review: Light, bright and engaging, this Ladybird book makes learning about and practising mental maths enjoyable and fun. Cute, cartoon-style characters invite young readers to solve a wide range of puzzles. These enable them to practise number sequences and number squares, as well as estimating and patterns. A perfect first look at mental maths.
Suggested Reading Age: 5 to 7 years old.
The Mathsketeers: A Mental Maths Adventure
by Buster Books, John Bigwood (Illustrator)
Review: What better way to practise your maths skills than with a rollicking maths adventure? Young readers will enjoy following Addio and the Mathsketeers, Subtracto, Multiplus and Diviso as they embark on a maths-focused adventure. Vibrant and engaging the book features puzzles ranging in difficulty from novice to apprentice to Mathsketeer to legend level. A great read, the Mathsketeers makes maths appealing and attainable for young (and older) mathematicians.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 to 11 years old.
Mental Maths Games For Clever Kids
by Dr. Gareth Moore (Author), Chris Dickason (Author)
Review: One of the Clever Kids series, Mental Maths games provides readers with over one hundred puzzles to practise developing maths skills. Cartoon characters draw readers in as they tackle the challenges. Each page has a spot where readers can record the time it took to complete the game. The answers can be found at the back of the book.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 years and up.
Mental Magic: Surefire Tricks to Amaze Your Friends
by Martin Gardner
Review: Wonderfully engaging, Mental Magic: Surefire Tricks to Amaze Your Friends is an ideal way to practise and refine mental maths skills. Full of fun “tricks”, dreadful puns and engaging illustrations, even the most reluctant mathematician will find something to pique their interest in this book’s pages. Readers are ably guided through the various puzzles and tasks by Professor Picanumba. Prepare to be amazed!
Suggested Reading Age: 8 – 11 years old. In my opinion, this would appeal to many older mathematicians and magicians, too!
The Magic Of Maths: Solving For X And Figuring Out Why
by Arthur Benjamin
Review: Following on with the magic theme, Arthur Benjamin takes an appealing deep dive into The Magic of Math for older readers. Areas tackled include algebra, geometry and maths tricks. Written in an easy-to-understand style, Benjamin clearly explains the concepts and thinking behind common mathematical areas of study. Plenty of examples and illustrations help to explain and demonstrate the areas discussed. Small “asides” prompt readers to think more deeply about a concept, asking them to consider their learning about the skill. This greater reflection further adds to their understanding of the concept discussed. This is a great book to further develop readers’ mental agility in terms of maths.
Suggested Reading Age: Older teens and beyond.
Happy Reading!
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Do YOU know any super mental maths books to add to this list? If so, please leave a recommendation below .