I read this book in my childhood and now once again. I always liked the other book, "Math for Smarty Pants" much better, and still do. That book contained a bit of cute, quirky storytelling, with the reappearing characters in the comics as well as the Pig Eyes. This book, while just as quirky and does take math in a new light, doesn't have the hook the first had. Don't get me wrong, it was a great read and I'm sure it would do wonders for reluctant math students, but it is certainly not the best Marilyn Burns has to offer. The other thing, and there is a note in the back about it, is the lack of answers. Many questions are posed to problems that just can't really be solved at the given time, but you're left with no answer, not even a hint. This is quite bothersome.

Rating: 2.5/5 ( )

This book is about math, obviously. Its content is light and comical with actual mathematical lessons disguised on each page. There are lots of hands-on activities and open-ended questions for children to experience and work through. It is an overview of some important mathematical patterns easily explained for children to understand.

Cute book! I will admit, it is dated (1975) and the language is proof: “slip me some skin,” “outta sight,” and the reference to the TV show “Search for Tomorrow” of which I have never heard. But the idea of making math fun and relate to children is great. There are riddles and cartoon illustrations that help get the point across. Kids will learn without even realizing it. I thought I would just read through the book so I can write the review and move on. However, some of the activities and questions compelled me to try them – I couldn’t go on to the next page without working through some of the problems!

An obvious extension would be for the students to get in small groups and choose some of the problems and activities to work through and share what they learn to the class. Another extension is to have them choose an area of mathematics they do not particularly care for and find a way to teach it so that other students would be interested. Research and learning more about that area may be necessary. They can present their lesson any way they want. ( )

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