"The Unknowns: A Mystery"

Some children enjoy math; many do not. Maybe the reason many children struggle with math is that their introduction to the subject has been less than engaging.

Not so with the books reviewed today.

Each makes clear that math is a part of everyday life, and that math can be fun.

Ask your local librarian to steer you in the direction of other engaging math books. The sooner a child has a firm grasp on math and can master the basics, the easier it will be to understand more advanced mathematics.

Like reading, math skills are essential tools for life. Introduce math at an early age and keep the subject in the forefront throughout a child's life. There's no telling where that effort might lead.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Missing Mittens"</B> by Stuart J. Murphy, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, HarperCollins, 34 pages; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.One day Farmer Bill looks outside and sees the snow in the air. He's cold, and preparing to go outside, assembles his winter clothing.But there's a problem -- one of his mittens is missing.Going out to the barn to milk his cow, he notices that she is also missing one of her four mittens. Farmer Bill soon discovers several animals on his farm are missing one of their mittens.It's a case of an odd number of mittens, and a mystery that needs to be solved. Who or what has caused this problem?A fun story told in rhyme, readers learn about odd and even numbers and will enjoy the journey as they discover the culprit behind the case.

<B>Library:</B> Prospect Community Library, 357 Main St., Prospect<B>Library Director:</B> Jeanne Sarnese<B>Children's Librarian: </B>Jill Hambley<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Elmer"</B> by David McKee; <B>"Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse"</B> by Lindsay Barrett George; <B>"Monster Trucks!"</B> by Mark Todd

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"The Unknowns: A Mystery" </B>by Benedict Carey, Amulet, 2009, 259 pages, $16.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 10 and older; read yourself: ages 10 to 11 and older.The town of Folsom Adjacent was riddled with hundreds of run down mobile homes, and the people who lived there thought their lives were pretty boring, often wishing for something exciting to happen.During their summer before seventh grade, two young residents, Lady Di and Tom Jones, got more excitement than they hoped for when people from Adjacent began disappearing, including their beloved math tutor who left her two students math clues to unravel the mystery.The book features two clever young sleuths and a cast of colorful misfit helpers. Mountains of trash, secret tunnels, and the mysterious power plant next door also play a role. There are strange math clues that require geometry, algebra, and a lot of clever thinking and courage to find an answer.It all happens as someone or something wants to stop the kids at any cost. The question is: Will Lady Di and Tom Jones succeed, and will they find their math tutor in time?A very clever blending of math and mystery, this suspenseful novel will keep readers sharp, thinking, and on the edge of their seats.<B>"The Number Garden"</B> written and illustrated by Sara Pinto, Bloomsbury, 2009, 31 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: ages 2 to 4; read yourself: ages 4 to 6.What is going on in the magical number garden? Lift each flap to open the gate and see how the garden evolves.From one sun, two rabbits, four garden tools to 12 stars, this counting book is simple, instructional, and lots of fun. As an added bonus, advanced counters can add up everything in the garden at the end of the book with the double page flaps that show every colorful item in the book.Learning basic math has never been more enjoyable.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendalsunlink.net.