Peg + Cat : The camp problem by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson

Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9780763699222
(Age: 5-8) Peg + cat: The camp problem is an engaging story designed for 5-8year olds. The Peg + Cat series has an undercurrent of mathematics equations which easily slide into the stories and essentially enable children to learn about maths without even knowing it! This story surrounds Peg and her pet Cat who are dealing with a homesick friend at Camp Niniwawa. The maths topics include colour patterns and counting in 5 and 10s.
I used this book as a homework reader with my 7 year old and was pleasantly surprised both with the story and the mix of familiar and challenging words. The chapters were the perfect length for his reading level/ability (level 16) and would work either to be read in one sitting or across a series of days.
During the story we were able to stop and focus on the mathematical concepts, practising counting by 5s to 100, and used the colour pattern chapter as a stepping stone to more complex pattern scenarios. The maths level is around that for a 5 year old but easily extended.
I really liked this aspect of the book as it was such an easy pathway from literacy to numeracy. There are a variety of other titles in this series, where Peg and her trusty sidekick Cat use maths to solve problems. These would be great to be used in a class situation, to concrete concepts and enlighten students who may be finding particular base level number concepts hard. Mr. 7 year old gave it 3.5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain