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Marvin the Math Cat and the Mysterious Patio Garden (US Edition) (Marvin the Math Cat
Embark on a Mind-Bending Adventure with Marvin the Math Cat!
Is your child aged 9-12 ready to experience a world where math meets mystery and imagination? Introducing Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden , the captivating debut book that will whisk your young reader away on an exhilarating journey!
Join Marvin, the inquisitive feline, and his trusty sidekick, Dusty, as they dive headfirst into a whirlwind of mathematical excitement. As Marvin questions the importance of math during a seemingly ordinary day at school, he's in for a surprising twist that no one saw coming. When two enigmatic landscaping cats, akin to secret service agents, cross their path, the stage is set for an adventure like no other.
Hold your breath as Marvin's math studies lead him into an extraordinary dream world, right through the pages of his textbook. Prepare to be dazzled as reality and fantasy entwine, creating a landscape of puzzles and riddles that must be cracked! With their sharp math skills, Marvin and Dusty must decode clues and unlock the secrets of geometric transformations, all while designing an enchanting patio garden.
But that's not all! This enchanting book doesn't just spark curiosity and imagination; it cultivates learning in the most exhilarating way. At the end of the tale, a special section summarizes the core mathematical concepts explored. Plus, engage in a playful "Cat-tivity" that ensures your child can practice their newfound knowledge!
Why Choose Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden?
Engages curious minds with an irresistible blend of mystery and adventure.Ignites a passion for math by seamlessly integrating real-world concepts into a captivating story.Fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills through mind-bending puzzles.Encourages a love for learning with an interactive "Cat-tivity" for hands-on engagement.Perfect for parents seeking a unique and entertaining approach to teaching geometry and math concepts.
Open the door to an enthralling world of math and mystery today! Let Marvin the Math Cat be your child's guide to discovering the thrill of learning, one transformation at a time. Don't miss out – click to add this extraordinary adventure to your child's bookshelf now.
Grab Your Copy Today and Unleash the Power of Math and Imagination!
**Please note that this edition of Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden uses imperial units for measurements.**
Is your child aged 9-12 ready to experience a world where math meets mystery and imagination? Introducing Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden , the captivating debut book that will whisk your young reader away on an exhilarating journey!
Join Marvin, the inquisitive feline, and his trusty sidekick, Dusty, as they dive headfirst into a whirlwind of mathematical excitement. As Marvin questions the importance of math during a seemingly ordinary day at school, he's in for a surprising twist that no one saw coming. When two enigmatic landscaping cats, akin to secret service agents, cross their path, the stage is set for an adventure like no other.
Hold your breath as Marvin's math studies lead him into an extraordinary dream world, right through the pages of his textbook. Prepare to be dazzled as reality and fantasy entwine, creating a landscape of puzzles and riddles that must be cracked! With their sharp math skills, Marvin and Dusty must decode clues and unlock the secrets of geometric transformations, all while designing an enchanting patio garden.
But that's not all! This enchanting book doesn't just spark curiosity and imagination; it cultivates learning in the most exhilarating way. At the end of the tale, a special section summarizes the core mathematical concepts explored. Plus, engage in a playful "Cat-tivity" that ensures your child can practice their newfound knowledge!
Why Choose Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden?
Engages curious minds with an irresistible blend of mystery and adventure.Ignites a passion for math by seamlessly integrating real-world concepts into a captivating story.Fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills through mind-bending puzzles.Encourages a love for learning with an interactive "Cat-tivity" for hands-on engagement.Perfect for parents seeking a unique and entertaining approach to teaching geometry and math concepts.
Open the door to an enthralling world of math and mystery today! Let Marvin the Math Cat be your child's guide to discovering the thrill of learning, one transformation at a time. Don't miss out – click to add this extraordinary adventure to your child's bookshelf now.
Grab Your Copy Today and Unleash the Power of Math and Imagination!
**Please note that this edition of Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden uses imperial units for measurements.**
- GenresChildrens
37 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2023
19 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 11, 2022
Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden by Heather & Nick Blackburn is the first book in what the authors state is to be a series of books featuring the main character Marvin and his friend Dusty, both cats. The Blackburns are Canadian educators, with background in math, science, and computer technology, so the planned series will revolve around best friends Marvin and Dusty learning about those subjects and, based on this first book, applying what they learn to everyday activities. The books are meant to help readers (and their parents) learn about math, science, and technology in a fun way so they can see the real life usefulness of these subjects. To that end, the books will include what this first book calls a Cat-tivity: a creative approach to putting the skills featured in the book into a relatively ordinary application.
The premise of the book is wonderful. As a former professor with more than 25 years of teaching educator prep students, I am eager to see authors who try to find creative ways to help children and adolescents learn concepts in more innovative ways than the approaches generally used in traditional school settings (so many of which are limited by class size and federal or state standards). Math is notoriously difficult for so many children to grasp, and having Marvin and Dusty guide the intended readers of this book into understanding the geometry concepts featured in this book through a creative story and an activity that combines the geometry formulas of area, perimeter, and transformations with a creative design project has the potential for helping younger readers appreciate geometry. What I especially liked was how Marvin realized how much he had grasped the concepts he'd learned in class once he had to put them into action, and when he had to help Dusty remember the formulas, an example of the saying "you really learn a subject when you have to teach others." It's also an empowering element to the book: readers, like Marvin, will realize that they know more than they thought they did, a boost to their confidence.
There are some issues with the book, however, that prompt me to give it only a 3-star rating:
First, the book's target audience is stated to be upper middle grade (6th-8th grade, 11-13 year olds), and Marvin and Dusty are said to be in 7th grade in the book. However, the language, the characters of Marvin and Dusty, and the way the story unfolds are more suited to younger readers (4th and 5th, 9 and 10 years old). 11-13 year olds would find the characters, the story, and even the Cat-tivity too simplistic, given how immersed today's tweens and early teenagers are into much more complex media.
Second, the book is clearly geared toward the Canadian school system, using the metric system for the math, and, I'm going to assume, the 7th grade setting for when Canadian school children begin learning these geometric concepts. This is not a problem in and of itself, if the Blackburns plan to market this solely in Canada. If, however, they'd like a wider reach into the US, they should be aware that 1) the metric system is not used as widely in school as the US still uses the Imperial system for measurement; and 2) when these geometry concepts are taught varies from state to state, sometimes introduced as early as 3rd or 4th grade (basic geometry like area and perimeter), sometimes in the middle grades (6th or 7th), and in some areas of the US, not until the first or second year of high school. I see this book more appropriately effectively geared toward younger readers (4th grade perhaps) as a fun introduction to math concepts they will be taught with more emphasis in later grades to give them a head start; this could include an introduction to the metric system as well as the geometric formulas. That age group would be more apt to find the Cat-tivity projects more entertaining as they are still in the discovery stage. Older middle grade students would find it "cheesy" or "lame," which would defeat the innovative intent of the book.
As a further note on the target age group, the illustrations are more suited to that younger audience as well. I found the illustrations entertaining and appropriate for the type of book and story it was - and cats are a favorite among that younger age group as well.
Finally, the style of writing isn't as natural as it could be. I don't agree with people who claim that a more complex vocabulary in books for younger readers is problematic; this helps them grow verbally and intellectually, and there are some wonderful books for younger readers with what some might term "too elevated" vocabulary. Throw those words in there! However, the flow of the writing in this first book is stilted in several places, the dialogue doesn't sound realistically contemporary, and there is an overuse of phrases that "tell" instead of show that bog down the story. I counted five instances of the phrase "he proceeded to . . ." and there seemed to be an attempt to purposely use alternatives to the more simple (and therefore "invisible") "said" and "asked" after quoted dialogue - which, unfortunately, only calls attention to itself and makes the reading "clunky." (Ex: writing "Dusty questioned" as the "tag" after something that Dusty said that was clearly a question - and it was clear that it was Dusty speaking, so the tag really wasn't needed.)
Final words: This book - and the planned series - has so much potential. I would love to see it develop further and find its way into the hands of educators and parents, but most importantly the children who would most benefit from these concepts. I wish there had been a series like this when I was in grade school; it would have prepared me better for my high school geometry class, the only class I almost failed in all my high school years! I actually did the Cat-tivity myself, and had lots of fun designing my own patio garden! I hope the Blackburns continue with their plans, and perhaps consider gearing the books to a younger age market and review how to make the writing and dialogue more natural and appealing to their audience. Thanks for the opportunity to read it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
The premise of the book is wonderful. As a former professor with more than 25 years of teaching educator prep students, I am eager to see authors who try to find creative ways to help children and adolescents learn concepts in more innovative ways than the approaches generally used in traditional school settings (so many of which are limited by class size and federal or state standards). Math is notoriously difficult for so many children to grasp, and having Marvin and Dusty guide the intended readers of this book into understanding the geometry concepts featured in this book through a creative story and an activity that combines the geometry formulas of area, perimeter, and transformations with a creative design project has the potential for helping younger readers appreciate geometry. What I especially liked was how Marvin realized how much he had grasped the concepts he'd learned in class once he had to put them into action, and when he had to help Dusty remember the formulas, an example of the saying "you really learn a subject when you have to teach others." It's also an empowering element to the book: readers, like Marvin, will realize that they know more than they thought they did, a boost to their confidence.
There are some issues with the book, however, that prompt me to give it only a 3-star rating:
First, the book's target audience is stated to be upper middle grade (6th-8th grade, 11-13 year olds), and Marvin and Dusty are said to be in 7th grade in the book. However, the language, the characters of Marvin and Dusty, and the way the story unfolds are more suited to younger readers (4th and 5th, 9 and 10 years old). 11-13 year olds would find the characters, the story, and even the Cat-tivity too simplistic, given how immersed today's tweens and early teenagers are into much more complex media.
Second, the book is clearly geared toward the Canadian school system, using the metric system for the math, and, I'm going to assume, the 7th grade setting for when Canadian school children begin learning these geometric concepts. This is not a problem in and of itself, if the Blackburns plan to market this solely in Canada. If, however, they'd like a wider reach into the US, they should be aware that 1) the metric system is not used as widely in school as the US still uses the Imperial system for measurement; and 2) when these geometry concepts are taught varies from state to state, sometimes introduced as early as 3rd or 4th grade (basic geometry like area and perimeter), sometimes in the middle grades (6th or 7th), and in some areas of the US, not until the first or second year of high school. I see this book more appropriately effectively geared toward younger readers (4th grade perhaps) as a fun introduction to math concepts they will be taught with more emphasis in later grades to give them a head start; this could include an introduction to the metric system as well as the geometric formulas. That age group would be more apt to find the Cat-tivity projects more entertaining as they are still in the discovery stage. Older middle grade students would find it "cheesy" or "lame," which would defeat the innovative intent of the book.
As a further note on the target age group, the illustrations are more suited to that younger audience as well. I found the illustrations entertaining and appropriate for the type of book and story it was - and cats are a favorite among that younger age group as well.
Finally, the style of writing isn't as natural as it could be. I don't agree with people who claim that a more complex vocabulary in books for younger readers is problematic; this helps them grow verbally and intellectually, and there are some wonderful books for younger readers with what some might term "too elevated" vocabulary. Throw those words in there! However, the flow of the writing in this first book is stilted in several places, the dialogue doesn't sound realistically contemporary, and there is an overuse of phrases that "tell" instead of show that bog down the story. I counted five instances of the phrase "he proceeded to . . ." and there seemed to be an attempt to purposely use alternatives to the more simple (and therefore "invisible") "said" and "asked" after quoted dialogue - which, unfortunately, only calls attention to itself and makes the reading "clunky." (Ex: writing "Dusty questioned" as the "tag" after something that Dusty said that was clearly a question - and it was clear that it was Dusty speaking, so the tag really wasn't needed.)
Final words: This book - and the planned series - has so much potential. I would love to see it develop further and find its way into the hands of educators and parents, but most importantly the children who would most benefit from these concepts. I wish there had been a series like this when I was in grade school; it would have prepared me better for my high school geometry class, the only class I almost failed in all my high school years! I actually did the Cat-tivity myself, and had lots of fun designing my own patio garden! I hope the Blackburns continue with their plans, and perhaps consider gearing the books to a younger age market and review how to make the writing and dialogue more natural and appealing to their audience. Thanks for the opportunity to read it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
November 23, 2023
Marvin the Math Cat and the Mysterious Patio Garden is a really cute book and as an adult, it took me a while to do the questions! I wish I had this book when my kids were little. they love stories, and they would have loved this book!
The beauty of Marvin the Math Cat and the Mysterious Patio Garden is its ability to seamlessly blend education and entertainment. It's not simply a storybook, but an engaging tool for learning. The story is captivating, drawing children into a world of adventure and intrigue. It keeps young minds stimulated and eager to turn the next page.
The characters are relatable, and their journey provides a subtle yet effective platform for introducing mathematical concepts. The questions incorporated into the narrative are thoughtfully designed, challenging enough to stretch the mental muscles of young readers, but not so hard as to discourage them.
The illustrations are a bonus, vibrant and visually appealing, contributing to the overall charm of the book. In essence, Marvin the Math Cat and Dusty's Secret Quest offers more than a story - it's a fun, interactive way to nurture a love for mathematics in young children. It's a resource I would recommend to any parent looking to give their child a head start in mathematics.
The beauty of Marvin the Math Cat and the Mysterious Patio Garden is its ability to seamlessly blend education and entertainment. It's not simply a storybook, but an engaging tool for learning. The story is captivating, drawing children into a world of adventure and intrigue. It keeps young minds stimulated and eager to turn the next page.
The characters are relatable, and their journey provides a subtle yet effective platform for introducing mathematical concepts. The questions incorporated into the narrative are thoughtfully designed, challenging enough to stretch the mental muscles of young readers, but not so hard as to discourage them.
The illustrations are a bonus, vibrant and visually appealing, contributing to the overall charm of the book. In essence, Marvin the Math Cat and Dusty's Secret Quest offers more than a story - it's a fun, interactive way to nurture a love for mathematics in young children. It's a resource I would recommend to any parent looking to give their child a head start in mathematics.
March 19, 2024
Fun and educational
This book gives kids reasons to want to learn math through examples of its usefulness in real life. The author does this by weaving a fun story around how we used math all the time.
This book is educational, but also engaging enough to keep kids interested in the story.
This book gives kids reasons to want to learn math through examples of its usefulness in real life. The author does this by weaving a fun story around how we used math all the time.
This book is educational, but also engaging enough to keep kids interested in the story.
October 16, 2023
Very Cool Book
Just what a middle schooler needs. The envisioning of the angles and geometric figures are usually tough for kids to grasp. Even I could understand what the Blackburns were solving in Martin's story. Great work
Just what a middle schooler needs. The envisioning of the angles and geometric figures are usually tough for kids to grasp. Even I could understand what the Blackburns were solving in Martin's story. Great work
April 9, 2025
Great read that kids and parents can enjoy together
Great book for encouraging kids to read and enjoy math. The characters are fun and the book provides real examples to make everything feel relatable.
Great book for encouraging kids to read and enjoy math. The characters are fun and the book provides real examples to make everything feel relatable.
May 18, 2024
A good, cute way for kids to realize some ways for math to be needed in the real world. And this book involves cats!
July 1, 2022
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.
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.
June 8, 2022
This is a book that perhaps would be more suited to a slightly younger group of children rather than the approximately seventh graders it was aimed at. However, there are words that would not lend itself to a young audience. The first one that comes to mind is succulent. Most younger children would be stumbling over that word and others. But the older set of children might find Dusty and Marvin just a little bit too young. The two cats may not keep the attention of an older child.
All that said, it was a cute book which teaches math without letting the child know he/she is being taught math. I'm anxious to see what follows this book. This is to be a part of a series, and I look forward to see if the authors can narrow the books down to a specific age range, then write to only that range.
I was given a copy of this book by Book Sirens for a review, which is in my own words. My apologies to the authors for the time it took for me to get to it on my TBR
All that said, it was a cute book which teaches math without letting the child know he/she is being taught math. I'm anxious to see what follows this book. This is to be a part of a series, and I look forward to see if the authors can narrow the books down to a specific age range, then write to only that range.
I was given a copy of this book by Book Sirens for a review, which is in my own words. My apologies to the authors for the time it took for me to get to it on my TBR
May 4, 2022
Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden by Heather & Nick Blackburn is a cute and book that helps the reader understand math in a fun way. The illustrations and descriptions of Marvin’s adventures make it interesting for kids. Marvin’s and his friend Dusty are given the job of building a patio garden. To do that they have to use math to figure out how much supplies to buy. This shows them how math can be used in the real world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 24, 2022
Marvin the Math Cat & the Mysterious Patio Garden is a great read for kids who need a little encouraging with learning math. The book has great illustrations and follows Marvin and his friend Dusty along on an adventure where of course math is involved. I do not think the targeted audtion of 6-8th graders is the right age group, I would of guessed 4th or 5th graders.
I got Marvin the Math Cat as an ARC from the Author for my honest thoughts, I picked the book for my 6-year-old, it kind of went over her head so many kids a little older than that.
I got Marvin the Math Cat as an ARC from the Author for my honest thoughts, I picked the book for my 6-year-old, it kind of went over her head so many kids a little older than that.
March 27, 2022
I had high hopes for this book as a math teacher. I thought it could potentially be used to present math content to students in a new and different way. It felt cheesy, though. The math was easy to follow, but the age group of the students doing this level of math will make fun of it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews