Reddit reviews Aha! Gotcha: Paradoxes to Puzzle and Delight

I'm not familiar with anything current but I'm sure it exists. When I was doing the bulk of my learning we were still carving holes in strips of cardboard to produce code. Someone younger would probably give better, more current advice.

In general, refining your problem solving skills involves a great deal of introspection. Everything you complete you should go back and analyze the stumbles you had along the way. What caused delays, what produced bugs, what just didn't work very well. Look at these things and try to determine what you could have done differently. No better teacher than failure.

Two very old books that got me started: Aha: Gotcha and Aha:Insight. They are amazing puzzle books written by the master of puzzles, Martin Gardner. They have a bit of a math slant, but not too much. Read the reviews to see if it floats your boat.

Math, imo, is the basis of solid problem solving. It's the reason we learn math from pre-K all through university. You're not doing it so you can do calculus at the grocery store, and I've never used a lick of it in my career, but it does teach you how to think in a logical manner, breaking big problems down into little ones.

Another book that had some impact on my career was Design of Everyday Things. Good read for usability.

When I was younger, I read this book (Aha! Gotcha: Paradoxes to Puzzle and Delight), and it easily explained various examples of paradoxes while being very entertaining. If anything, I'd say it helped me become a better problem solver.

It's been said before, but programming and math puzzles.

Also, interactive games are great such as card tricks that have mathematical rational.

Books by martin gardner helped me enjoy mathematics when I was younger. I recommend Aha! Gotcha, http://www.amazon.com/Aha-Gotcha-Paradoxes-Puzzle-Delight/dp/0716713616

It is a good mix of puzzles, comics, games, and math.

Before you try to throw books at the problem, try to understand where your kids coming from. The public education system makes a huge effort to crush any enthusiasm a child may have for math; I know I didn't really like it when I was that old either. As a parent, you should read the essay A Mathematician's Lament, by Paul Lockhart. Math can be amazingly interesting and rewarding, but how would they know that? It is your job to show them, and this begins with you yourself becoming interested in and passionate about the subject.

Alright, now I'll start being helpful. Just promise me you'll read that essay.

Martin Gardner's books are kind of the classic books for getting kids into math. Check out the summaries and reviews of Aha! Gotcha, for example. You might also want to pick up The Colossal Book of Mathematics. Read it yourself and try to involve your kids in it as you do.

If they're more into hands-on stuff, check out How Round Is Your Circle?. It's all about building mathematical objects.

The Phantom Tollbooth is another great book, but not so mathematically oriented.

Basically, it's going to take a lot of work on your part, because you can't just hope they'll do it on their own. It's up to you to show them the wonder of mathematics.

Edit: I just realized they're not your kids, they're your niece and nephew. My mistake! Anyway, take from this what you will. Maybe you can convince the parents to get involved?

If you are looking for a good book, see Aha!

If it will make you feel better, you can say you are quoting Martin Gardner, rather than Sarah Palin, because if I recall correctly this is covered in Gardner's book "Aha! Gotcha".

http://www.amazon.com/Aha-Gotcha-Paradoxes-Puzzle-Delight/dp/0716713616

Could it be Martin Gardner's Book?