About Acute Books
Acute Books is an independent publisher built on a simple belief: math belongs in stories.
We publish picture books, early chapter books, and graphic novels starring characters who use math the way kids actually encounter it: curiously, messily, and everywhere. Our books are for the child who doesn't see themselves as a math person yet. We're here to change that.
Math grows best through curiosity, conversation, and questions. Stories have always been how we pass those things on. We think it's time math got more of them.
Because math is the language of the universe, and every great language deserves great stories.
Our Books
Into the Math Universe
Episode 1: Ready for Launch
The SpaceBus is ready for launch, but the tank is empty. Luca the Engineer, Arya the Detective, and Kaia the Artist must count everything they see to power up the bus and blast off into the Math Universe. From 0 all the way to 20, every number they discover brings them closer to liftoff.
Counting has never felt like such an adventure.
Ages 4–7 | Counting to 20 | Kindergarten math standards
Available now on Teachers Pay Teachers
Into the Math Universe
Episode 2: Unlocking the Door
Floating in the middle of space is an ancient glowing door. It has 100 locks. To open it, Luca, Arya, and Kaia have to unlock every single one, which means counting all the way to 100. They've never gone that high before. But the Math Universe is on the other side of that door.
Ages 4–7 | Counting to 100 | Kindergarten math standards
Coming Fall 2026
Meet the Publisher
I'm Kathryn Szad, mathematician, educator, and the founder of Acute Books.
After more than a decade teaching mathematics in Hawaii, Vermont, and New York, I kept running into the same problem: engaging, pedagogically sound math books were nearly impossible to find. I wanted to create a place where math is the center of what we do rather than just another letter in an acronym. Something that reminds students and the people who love them that math is in everything, that everyone is a math person, and that learning math should feel like an adventure.
Acute Press is that place.
BA Mathematics | MST Mathematics Education | MS Data Analytics
Submissions
Acute Press is open to author and illustrator submissions.
We are especially looking for books that show math living inside everyday life, in nature, in communities, in the things kids already love. We want stories that build math identity, not just math skills.
We love: narrative-driven concepts, diverse characters, unexpected settings, books that celebrate the process of figuring it out, including wrong turns, and books that make a child feel seen.
We are not the right home for: worksheet-style formats, flashcard concepts, or books where math is the backdrop rather than the heart of the story.
To submit, please send the following to [email protected]:A brief bio and any relevant experience
A one-paragraph summary of your project
Age range and math concept
First 10 pages or full dummy (for illustrators, 3 to 5 sample spreads)We read every submission and aim to respond within 8 weeks.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you, whether you're an educator looking to bring Acute Press books into your classroom, a librarian interested in our titles, or just someone who believes math deserves better stories.