There is a quest waiting on Marvin and his best friend Dusty. It’s a mission unlike any the two cats could have ever pictured even in the wildest of their daydreams. When their math homework becomes more than the two can handle, they begin to notice math in the world around them. Determined to sit down and make a real go of it with the tough geometry assignment, Marvin soon finds himself lost in another world, and that world happens to be his math textbook!

Marvin the Math Cat and the Mysterious Patio Garden, by H & N Blackburn, is the mathematically-centered fantasy story of Marvin the Math Cat and his best friend Dusty. These two adorable characters have been tasked with math homework they would prefer to ignore. When their entire world turns upside down, the two friends find themselves solving riddles and following clues in order to complete a task which is actually the math the two have tried so hard to avoid.

The authors have done a truly amazing job of breaking down a math equation into a real life situation for their characters to solve. The immense amount of energy the main characters put into the quest is a great example for readers and drives home the usefulness and importance of a solid foundation in mathematics.

Included at the end of Marvin’s tale is an opportunity for readers to solve an equation of their own. Along with this incredibly detailed and in-depth problem is a list of math terms as well as illustrations to guide readers.

Marvin the Math Cat and the Mysterious Patio Garden, by H & N Blackburn, is a fantastic approach to building interest in math, especially geometry, the subject matter is appropriate for older students and the cast of characters likely appeals to a younger group of readers. The Blackburns’ work is thorough, well-written, and a great addition to a classroom library.

Pages: 41 | ASIN : B09SW7MNHW