(4) K-3 Illustrated by Taia Morley. This Math Fables sequel dishes out new animal facts in choppy verse while demonstrating again how numbers can be broken into smaller groupings. Eight vultures, for example, scavenge in groups of 4 and 4, 5 and 3, 6 and 2, etc., accompanied by, "Egyptian vultures know success / will come if you persist!" Crisp digital-looking illustrations reinforce the math.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Heather Cahoon. In Tang's sixth effort to make math entertaining, each number one through ten is honored with a rhyme about a specific quantity of animals--e.g., eight crabs--who break into smaller groups: "As 7 stood by cautiously, / 1 daring crab jumped in...." Some of the rhymes are more graceful than others, but kids engaged by the book's concept and digitally rendered all-animal cast won't care.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Paprocki & Greg Paprocki. Each of twelve reproductions of famous paintings faces a descriptive six-line rhyming verse featuring an addition problem. For example, readers are asked to examine groups of Degas-inspired ballet shoes and calculate how many ways they can combine them to make seven. (Solutions are provided at book's end.) Slight vagaries in the verse occasionally leave the math question unclear, but the concept is great. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Harry Briggs. With its goofy puns, crisp digital artwork, and innovative approach to problem solving, Tang's fourth book of math riddles, geared toward second through fifth graders, is a satisfying addition to the series. Rhyming couplets ask readers to calculate sums of objects (chili peppers, clams, etc.) by using strategies such as searching for patterns or first grouping, then subtracting. Annotated answers for all puzzles are provided at book's end.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Harry Briggs. Starting with tulips and moving on through seasonal themes such as fireworks, autumn leaves, and snow flakes, these rhyming couplets, though unfortunately rather forced, encourage readers to add objects by grouping them into twos, threes, fives, or tens. Crisp digital art supports the math strategies, and pages in the back give the answers and explain the best groupings.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Harry Briggs. An emphasis on conceptual strategies over rote memorization combines with clearly modeled examples and crisp, digitally created illustrations for a fresh take on teaching multiplication. Pairs of rhyming couplets describe techniques, like doubling and repeated addition, for the factors zero to ten. Sample problems are followed by challenges for the reader.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Harry Briggs. Clever rhymes ask readers to solve math problems by using counting and addition strategies that include grouping, subtracting, and looking for patterns. Sleek illustrations feature different items (i.e., 50 grapes, 16 fish, or 22 snails), providing the focus for each riddle. The math question in each puzzle is highlighted in a different colored font--a helpful visual aid for young readers. Solutions are included.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger