When I was shopping for birthday gifts for my brother (a math major), I started coming across T-shirts for Ultimate Pi Day. Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (that is, 3.14). This year, you can take it even further because the year makes it 3/14/15 (five digits of pi). Some people are even making special plans for 53 seconds past 9:26 (3.14.15 9.26.53 or 3.141592653, 10 digits of pi). Here are a couple of books to help children learn about the number pi and why it’s important:
Why Pi? by Johnny Ball
All about the number pi, from a beloved math expert.
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander
When Sir Cumference drinks a potion which turns him into a dragon, his son Radius searches for the magic number known as pi which will restore him to his former shape. This is the sequel to Sir Cumference and the First Round Table, the first in a series called Sir Cumference Math Adventures.
We recently had a Tween Tech Week program that introduced the Raspberry Pi computer.
Of course, lots of people use Pi Day as an excuse to make and eat pie!
Cool Pies and Tarts by Pamela S. Price is a kid-friendly guide to making pies.
Here are some favorite stories that feature pie:
Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson
Gia is feeling a lot of things about the baby on the way, but she’s ultimately reassured that she and her mom and the baby will love each other, like they share a love for pecan pie.
Easy as Apple Pie by Karen Gray Ruelle
In this early chapter book, the family is making apple pies. Emily thinks apples are yucky, but she learns that she really likes pie crust!
Pie by Sarah Weeks
After the death of Polly Portman, whose award-winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1950s, her devoted niece Alice and Alice’s friend Charlie investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly’s secret pie crust recipe. Includes fourteen pie recipes. If you liked this book, be sure to check out the author’s new book, Honey.
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