Airports rely on an almost uncountable series of mathematical decisions. Some of them are collected in Numeracy Counts at Manchester Airport, a good anthology of real-life problems for pupils in Years 5 and 6. From converting currency to organising the turnaround times of an airliner, there are hours of attractive activities through which pupils have to think their way, often combining linguistic strategies with data handlig or measurement. Timetables with 24-hour clocks, pie charts about holiday destinations, maps with distances to be gauged all form part of a stimulating book.

Numeracy Counts at Manchester Airport costs pound;10 plus VAT plus pound;1 pamp;p, and is available from Manchester Airport Education Service, co P O Box 80, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7EQ. Tel: 01937 541010. Website: www.manchesterairport.co.uk Tom Deveson