cover image The Wing Wing Brothers Math Spectacular!

The Wing Wing Brothers Math Spectacular!

Ethan Long. Holiday House, $15.95 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8234-2320-0

In comic book–style panels, Long augments a circus routine—performed by five bug-eyed ducks punnily dubbed the Wing Wing Brothers—with simple math lessons. Act one, which involves balancing spinning plates, introduces the idea of greater than, less than, and equal to: “Wendell now has eight plates. Willy still has five plates” (and after both ducks lose control, they are left with “the same number again”: zero). Both the second and third acts of the ducks’ show focus on addition and subtraction through pie juggling (and throwing), and a mysterious box that causes the duck brothers to disappear. Readers won’t know what to expect next as Long demonstrates spot-on comedic timing while explaining each concept clearly. Math has rarely been this much fun. Ages 4–6. (Aug.)