Hamster Champs (Angles): The car drives away and suddenly its just Hector the cat and three clever hamsters – Pipsqueak, Chuckles and Moe. The hamster champs offer to show Hector their new stunt, which requires they leave the safety of their cage, only if Hector promises not to chase them. “All right,” he says, “But if I get bored…watch out!” Using a protractor to measure a 30-degree angle, the hamsters set up a ramp made out of a board supported by blocks. Then they get in a toy car on the couch and race down another ramp—this one made of pillows – which gives them enough speed to climb up the board and briefly fly in the air. Wheee! Hectors not impressed. So they try again with a 45-degree angle. But the 60-degree angle is too steep. Hectors getting bored! He wants a larger angle. Guess what happens when the champs try a 180-degree angle? Learning about angles helps children identify and describe different geometric shapes. Illustrated by Pedro Martin.