Things I Love (Gift Ideas)

Q.E.D. Beauty in Mathematical Proof

QED is Latin for quod erat demonstrandum—roughly ‘that which was to be shown’—and is often used as an end-of-proof marker.

This little book was a gift from a student. It rescued me in a particularly unmotivated class—I started throwing in bits and pieces from this book, and it won them over.

Every page offers a proof by picture, and gives new meaning to a picture is worth a thousand words. The illustrations are exquisite. I've given this book as a gift many times. Or, keep it on a coffee table to entertain your visitors!

The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics

This was a gift from my daughter for Christmas 2003. Every time I pick it up, it makes me smile! It's a ‘Romance in Lower Mathematics’ ...

A straight line is hopelessly in love with a dot. The dot is infatuated by a wild and unkempt squiggle. How can the dull, conventional line compete?

The illustrations in this book are incredible, as the line realizes the power it possesses.

(However, at the end, I'm always stuck with the same thought—the line deserves much better!)

The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure

Women in Mathematics

The Phantom Tollbooth

Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent

We love (and own) all of Bill Peet's books. This is just one of many.

“I'm tired of wandering,” said Cyrus one day. “I wish there was something more exciting to do. I'd like to have some fun for a change.”

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One

The Giving Tree

The Little Prince

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie

Brave Irene

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
(We have all the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books!)

Corduroy
(We have all the Corduroy books!)

The Jolly Postman

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Frog and Toad are Friends
(We have all the Frog and Toad books!)

A Special Kind of Love

Best Friends for Frances
(We have all the Frances books!)

James and the Giant Peach
(We have all the Roald Dahl books!)

Madeline
(We have all the Madeline books!)

Love You Forever
(I cry every time.)

Norman the Doorman

Where Wizards Stay Up Late; The Origins of the Internet

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves

Benny and Joon DVD

Perry Mason
(I watched it all on Amazon Prime.)

Monk

Matlock
(I watched it all on Amazon Prime.)

Mastermind

Set

Mille Bornes

Dominion
(We use lots of the expansion sets, too.)

Azul

Wingspan

Mastering Sudoku

Super Stereograms

Ninja Creami
This flips the ice cream making process on its head! Best ice cream I've ever had.