Making Math Count
- Anna Robertson Ham
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Danica McKellar Inspires Young Readers
Many know Danica McKellar through her career on screen, starring in numerous roles, including Hallmark Channel and Great American Family movies—and, of course, the iconic role of Winnie Cooper in "The Wonder Years." Some may not know that she is also an internationally recognized mathematician and strong advocate for math education.
Danica has written several best-selling books that make math fun for young readers. Her newest publication, I Love You 100, is an illustrated picture book that encourages reading and counting along, as a mother expresses love for her child while teaching key concepts for counting to 100. This special book helps build counting confidence and reminds young readers that love is infinite… just like the numbers they can count.
You’ve had such a diverse career—what has been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
All of it! I feel so blessed to have been able to pursue multiple careers—both inspiring students with my McKellar Math books for nearly twenty years now and working on camera as an actress my entire life, and now also a writer and producer. I also love to ballroom dance, the flames of which were fanned during my time on “Dancing with the Stars” eleven years ago. I was so thrilled to include ballroom dancing in my 2024 Great American Family movie, “A Cinderella Christmas Ball,” as well as my 2023 Great American Family movie “Swing into Romance,” co-starring real life Dancing with the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko!
Many fans know you from your acting, but you’ve also inspired
countless students through your math books. What first inspired you to merge education and entertainment in your work?
After “The Wonder Years” ended, I needed a break from Hollywood. I had just started UCLA and I decided to pursue something totally different—math! I love how math makes my brain feel, and I’ve always loved a good challenge. After I graduated, I became more aware of the struggles that kids endured—especially girls. I had even struggled myself, in middle school, and I knew that as a lifelong entertainer I could create entertaining math books for kids that would take the fear out of it and put math in a context that would be more accessible, relatable and even silly. Anything to take the fear out and help kids realize how much more powerful they will feel and be—once they know they can handle math. The confidence that comes from feeling capable at something challenging like math has real advantages, financially and just overall—knowing that you can tackle challenges that come your way, whatever they may be. And I want to program kids from a young age to believe they can do it, because they can!
Tell us about your new book, I Love You 100. What inspired it, and what message do you hope readers take away?
This book is aimed at kindergartners. It teaches kids to count to 100 all in the context of a mother’s unconditional love for her child. When I was about five years old, I remember my mom stopping me from running down the hall with scissors. She grabbed my arm, took the scissors out of my hand and yelled about how dangerous it was. I remember asking her afterwards if I could have a hug. Her whole face changed and she said, “well, of course! I still love you!” And I think a lot of other young kids might also need that message—that no matter what is going on, if you’re happy, sad, angry, whatever it is, that a parent’s love is unconditional. So, this book offers an opportunity for parents to explain in a very understandable way that no matter what, the love is there. And, of course, also help them learn to count to 100, too!
You’ve written several books aimed at making math approachable and fun, especially for young readers. What was the creative process like for this book compared to your earlier ones?
My earliest books were more focused on teaching tons of techniques—my first four books: Math Doesn’t Suck, Kiss My Math, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, and Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape take kids from middle school math through high school geometry. They are comprehensive textbooks but super fun in their style, and my process was mostly about figuring out how to make dry topics really come to life. Then I took a break from writing when I had my son, and when I went back to writing, I answered the requests of my fans who wanted that kind of help for younger kids, too. I have several picture books that are sweet stories that “sneak” math into them like Goodnight, Numbers and Ten Magic Butterflies (I Love You 100 is a picture book, too!). The process of writing those books involves really telling one story and sneaking math into it, instead of teaching math and sneaking fun little nuggets throughout. I also have teaching books for grades 1-2, Do Not Open This Math Book and grades 3-4, The Times Machine. I’m proud of them all, and the collection feels pretty complete… at least for now!
Between acting, writing, and family life, what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or goals you’re especially excited about?
Yes! I just wrote and starred in a Christmas movie called “Have We Met This Christmas?” that will premiere on Great American Family Channel December 13th and will be available for streaming December 11th on PureFlix. My co-star is Jesse Hutch, also a Tennessean! I had always wanted to play a character who gets amnesia, so I wrote this story for that reason. It’s about a second chance at love made possible only because of the car wreck and amnesia that my character gets. It’s so fun, romantic and Christmassy! Jesse is fantastic in it, and it was just a joy to make. I’m so excited to share it with fans! I’ll also be at Christmas Con in New Jersey December 12th-14th and fans fly in from all over for autographs, selfies, and a very Christmassy time. I love connecting with fans about my movies and sharing behind the scenes stories from whatever their favorites movie is of mine. It’s a great time!
We had the opportunity to interview Danica and learn more about her acting and writing career, as well as her passion for education. See what Danica had to say here and make sure to order your copy of I Love You 100, and learn more at mckellarmath.com. You can also meet Danica and get your copy of I Love You 100 signed at an exclusive book signing event, on December 3rd from 5pm – 7pm at The Rutledge in Franklin. It will be a festive event with Christmas music performed by the talented Mark Mackay.