Odd Squad Villains: The Best of the Worst

K-Gr 5—With elaborate sets, special effects, costumes, and fine actors, viewers will barely realize that there is a math lesson in every episode of this popular PBS series. The Odd Squad is a government organization run by children who investigate strange occurrences. Each agent has a different specialty and humorous quirks. Ms. O, a tough taskmaster with a soft heart, is in charge. Four episodes follow agents Olive and Otto as they deal with various villains. In "Now You See Me," Odd Todd throws invisible ink on Odd Squad agents and townspeople, but Otto and Olive use patterns and clues to obtain a gadget that will make everyone visible again. "Flatastrophe" finds the duo pitted against Fladam, Destroyer of Cubes, and gives viewers a lesson on what a cube is and the meaning of two dimensions. While the math is basic enough for first or second graders, the high quality of this production and the humorous characters and situations will appeal to older children as well.