Dirt + Water = Mud

Hannigan (Gwendolyn Grace) introduces a heroine whose imagination soars sky-high as she plays with her dog. The endpapers offer a preview of the creative role-play within, presenting a bird's-eye view of the girl's yard complete with a key ("tree house = airplane"; "front porch = pirate ship"). Equations set up the girl's pretend-play scenarios ("Sheet + Flowerpot + Stick = Her Majesty, the Queen"), and Hannigan uses watercolors and digital embellishments to bring the fantasies to life. The merging of mathematical equations and imaginative play is clever, but the story falls short in a few areas. The girl and her faithful dog (who serves as her trusty knight, first mate on a pirate ship, and more) are expressive, but the rough-hewn watercolor portraits never feel at home in their slickly digital surroundings. A couple of potentially jarring moments during their adventures--the girl jumps from her tree house using a bed sheet as an (ineffective) parachute and later pretends to drown in her kiddie pool--leave this equation not quite adding up. Ages 4-8. Agent: Victoria Wells Arms, Wells Arms Literary. (July)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--Math and mud combine in this energetic picture book. A young girl spends the day playing with her dog, using items found in her backyard and her imagination. "Hose + High Up = Shower" and "Blue Sky + Breeze = Flying" are just two of many equations found throughout the text. Eventually the pup grows tired of the girl's antics and doesn't want to play anymore. However, her pal quickly comes to the rescue when the child pretends to need saving from a giant squid in a kiddie pool. While the story idea is a great one, the text stumbles and doesn't hit the mark. The overused equation becomes tiresome, and deciphering the dog's howls and barks on every page quickly loses its appeal. The slightly muted watercolor illustrations convey the text well but aren't enough to save the book. VERDICT While charming in concept, this title is not a must-buy. Look instead to Amy Krouse Rosenthal's This Plus That: Life's Little Equations to fill any equation-related gaps in collections.--Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A little girl and her dog play outdoors in a story that utilizes math and science concepts. A creative approach + math and science+ a map = a book that both entertains and teaches."—Kirkus Reviews