Odd Squad: Creature Encounters

Gr 2–4—This PBS Kids series features child secret agents who investigate odd happenings using math skills. Partners Olive and Otto are the key investigators, with Olive as the seasoned pro and Otto her protégé. The chief, Ms. O, is the rule enforcer who assigns the missions. The bumbling scientist Oscar invents incredible machines to help the duo solve problems. The main characters are charming and portrayed by fine actors. The large and diverse supporting cast are equally endearing. This disc contains five episodes. In "6:00 to 6:05," reading an analogue clock is the key to helping the agents go back in time via Oscar's time machine to stop the dinosaurs from destroying Odd Squad headquarters. "How To Interrogate a Unicorn" has the agents visiting the local library and charting commonalities to figure out why some characters are escaping from their books. "The Trouble with Centigurps" gives a nod to Star Trek's "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode. Otto inadvertently sets one of these furry creatures free, and it quickly multiplies into 100. Oscar helps Otto round up the creatures and put them in boxes of multiples, from 10 to five to two. Teachers will find this a fun way to supplement math curriculum. Kids will enjoy the series for its comic situations and smart characters.