This is a tale of two unlikely friends: a young owl and wise, old frog. Mr. Owl wakes up in the night struck by a thought that won’t leave him alone: what makes the wind go ‘round the bend? He had been blown from his home when he was but an owlet, carried by a storm to a quaint little village called “Chirpy Town,” and he needed to know why. In Chirpy Town is a helpful frog who always answers his questions, and he knows now that Mr. Frog is the only one who can explain the mysterious wind! Told in verse, Why the Wind Blows ‘Round is a fun yet educational tale full of fun facts about the seasons, rivers, and, of course, the wind! Children of all ages will love the catchy rhyming and animal characters.

An entertaining, eye-opening guide to what math and physics can reveal about sports. How can sprinter Usain Bolt break his world record without expending any additional effort? What dates of birth give rise to the best professional athletes? Is it better to have the inside or outside lane during a race? Drawing on vivid, real-life examples, mathematician John D. Barrow entertainingly explores the eye-opening, often counterintuitive, insights into the world of sports that math and physics can give us. For example, we learn that left-handed boxers have a statistical advantage over their right-handed opponents. Through clear, detailed, and fascinating mathematical explanations, Barrow reveals the best techniques and strategies for an incredible range of sports, from soccer and running to cycling, archery, gymnastics, and rowing.