The Numbers Race
How Shakuntala Devi's Mathematical Mind Zoomed Around the World
Will be published approx. on 5. November 2026
Book
Hardback
48 pages
978-1-6659-5705-2 (ISBN)
Description
This upbeat and accessible picture book biography makes math fun with the true story of record-breaking Indian mathematician Shakuntala Devi taking on the world's toughest math problems.
Little Shakuntala loved to race all over her small town, against her siblings and cousins-and even chickens! But she wasn't just speedy on her feet. She raced against numbers in her mind. Shakuntala would count up all the animals at her father's circus, multiply the times her mother flipped the dough for dosas, and solve her older brother's long division in her head!
As she grew up, Shakuntala zipped all around the world performing her mathematic magic, racing against professors, the clock-and even a computer! This fast-paced true story celebrates women and girls in STEM and makes solving math problems become the most amazing race you've ever watched.
Little Shakuntala loved to race all over her small town, against her siblings and cousins-and even chickens! But she wasn't just speedy on her feet. She raced against numbers in her mind. Shakuntala would count up all the animals at her father's circus, multiply the times her mother flipped the dough for dosas, and solve her older brother's long division in her head!
As she grew up, Shakuntala zipped all around the world performing her mathematic magic, racing against professors, the clock-and even a computer! This fast-paced true story celebrates women and girls in STEM and makes solving math problems become the most amazing race you've ever watched.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Illustrations
f-c (spfx: sculpted emboss + spot gloss UV on matte film)+int. ill.; digital
Dimensions
Height: 305 mm
Width: 229 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-6659-5705-2 (9781665957052)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
approx. 10/2026
Beach Lane Books
€10.87
Not yet available
Persons
Dr. Rekha S. Rajan is a musician, classically trained opera singer, and the USA TODAY bestselling author of over fifteen books for kids and adults, including the This Is Music board book series, Can You Dance Like a Peacock?, Amazing Landmarks, That Swingin' Sound!, and The Numbers Race. She has a doctorate and a master's in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a master's in education from Roosevelt University, where she also received a bachelor's degree in music. Rekha lives in Chicago with her husband and children. Learn more at RekhaSRajan.com.
Chaaya Prabhat is a graphic designer, illustrator, and lettering artist from Chennai, India. She received her master's in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design and now works on picture books, covers, and digital illustration projects. Her books include Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra, Glitter Everywhere! by Chris Barton, A Taste of Honey by Rebecca Sheir, and The Numbers Race by Rekha S. Rajan. Chaaya now lives in Goa, India. Learn more at ChaayaPrabhat.com.
Chaaya Prabhat is a graphic designer, illustrator, and lettering artist from Chennai, India. She received her master's in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design and now works on picture books, covers, and digital illustration projects. Her books include Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra, Glitter Everywhere! by Chris Barton, A Taste of Honey by Rebecca Sheir, and The Numbers Race by Rekha S. Rajan. Chaaya now lives in Goa, India. Learn more at ChaayaPrabhat.com.