Think Like the D-Sqaud

LoveReading4Kids Says

Billed as a “critical and creative thinking book for every kind of mind”, Phil Weiss’ Think Like the D-Squad begins with an engaging “Not-so Typical Author’s Note” in which Weiss shares personal detail on how his premature sons, “two kids who weren’t supposed to survive”, grew up into “two young men who figured out how to think their way through a world that wasn’t designed for them”, and background on how he, diagnosed as autistic later in life, was written off in school despite playing sanctioned backgammon tournaments against adults outside educational institutions.

Such is the inclusive context of a unique book that blends mystery fiction with non-fiction to create a toolkit kids could use to solve problems in the real world. The D-Squad of the title is a crew of four canines (based on the author’s own dogs) who approach solving problems in their own distinct way.

Dash narrates the story in a lively, darting conversational style that directs the reader to “Notice what’s actually happening (that’s Sully). Wonder wildly, without filtering (that’s Baz). Test your ideas against the real world instead of arguing in your head (that’s me).

And every so often, Zoom Out — stop solving the problem long enough to ask whether it’s even the right problem (that’s Phoebe)”. Underpinned by the belief that “just because a kid has a learning difference doesn’t mean they aren’t entitled to the best”, the book is packed with interjections that break the fourth wall and take readers on thinking tangents.

Given its detail and scope, Think Like the D-Squad is best tackled in bite-size chunks, with science boxes and invitations to try new skills adding to its interactive vibe.

Joanne Owen, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador

About Think Like the D-Sqaud

Sully stopped showing us his finds. Baz blames a raccoon. Dash wants proof.

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