Roll-up, roll-up! Prepare to be amazed by Miko. Choose a number, turn the wheel and follow his instructions. It’s magic.

Review: This clever, interactive, numerical book will definitely be useful for those teaching and learning how to add and take away numbers. We follow Miko the mouse through a variety of circus acts as we pick a number and then add and take away low numbers (<10) using a number wheel, until we reach the end and the circus magician has to guess our final answer. The answer is the same every time, and older children may well figure out how the behind-the-scenes equation works, but younger children will be fascinated for several read-throughs and number choices. Several read-throughs will also help soften a small flaw in paper engineering, as the wheel to turn the numbers has sharp points. Although the book is very durable, and the notches make it easier to turn the wheel, the points are sharp enough to be uncomfortable for adults and may easily agitate children.

Brown deserves credit for helping addition and subtraction come to life with this concept and her textured and lively illustrations.

2010-01-14