Meet Tessa Tate: Why Representation in Math Books Actually Matters

When I sat down to write Tessa Tate, I had one question driving every word: What would have changed for my students if they'd seen themselves in a math story?

The research is clear

Children perform better in subjects where they see characters who look like them succeeding. It's not just about warm feelings; representation shapes the belief that "this is for me." For too long, math has not felt like it was for a lot of kids.

Who is Tessa?

Tessa Tate is curious, sunflower-bright, and a little bit stubborn (in the best way). She doesn't get everything right on the first try, and that's the whole point. She shows children that the struggle is the learning, not a sign that something is wrong with them.

What parents have told me...

Parents are saying their child asks to read the Tessa book, do the activities, and entertain themselves with the activity kit, not because a parent made them, but because they want to, and that's what we want to hear. When it is all said and done, the goal is to keep math exciting, build a space where everyone not only feels, but knows that they belong, all while championing achievement.