Today’s list of books are books about shapes. Kids are little sponges and love learning new things. Shapes are always a favorite!
Ship Shapes by Stella Blackstone and Siobhan Bell is a bright, colorful and engaging book all about finding shapes. While the text is simple, it serves to support the reader’s efforts finding shapes throughout the book. However, what I like is that these illustrations are challenging, and not really illustrations at all. The fabric collages are so detailed and layered that the obvious shapes are easy to find. But many are hidden. So if you are reading this with an older child there is still some challenge.
Clay Quest Minis: Search for Shapes! by Helen Bogosian is a big hit with my son and me! I was lucky enough to receive this book from the publisher. It’s already come in handy on a ferry and waiting to be seated at a restaurant keeping my son happy and busy searching for shapes. This book is an activity book that has a simple rhyme and request for the reader to find 2 shapes on every page. The shapes are hidden in the adorable clay “illustrations”. But really they are photographs of clay sculptures that range in theme from a spider web to dinosaurs to princess crowns and more.
My son loves playing “Detective” and what I like is that the challenge is just right for his age group 2-3-year-olds. Younger toddlers will still enjoy it and it’s vibrant colors but to do it independently this is a perfect age. I try to find negatives with books that are sent to me from publishers for review, but I am having a hard time this really is a good shape book!
Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns is a funny story about a triangle that keeps adding more and more sides until he is confused, but your preschooler will be learning all about shapes while fun. The author is a bit of a superstar in the teaching world. However, I am a huge fan of not only this book but her methods in general. If you are a teacher, especially elementary-aged, and aren’t familiar with her you should be.
So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban is a picture book that is all about shapes in our environment. There is page after page of pictures of daily life, food, signs, etc – with the simple question of finding the shapes in the photos. It’s a great book to use as a launchpad into a shape hunt in your own home or around town. However, it’s worth a few looks because you will be surprised at the shapes you missed the first time.
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh is a cute book that not only helps teach shapes it is also entertaining! The three crafty mice use the shapes to protect themselves from one hungry cat. Finally using them to make scary mice to frighten the cat away! Kids love to help find which shapes are used in the illustrations. The older ones can even anticipate what the mice will make next!
Flip-a Shape: Go! by Sami will keep busy toddlers interested in all the shapes that are made with a school bus, boat, and more! The simplistic and bright illustrations coupled with the movements of the flip a shape, this book will be a hit with your toddler!
What other books about shapes would you add to this list? Comment below or share on my Facebook page!
For more quick tips on helping your child learn to read check out my book; Raising A Rock-Star Reader. It is packed with fun ideas for families, book lists, and advice for parents.
Ayn Colsh says
I use Mouse count and Mouse Paint all the time. Why don’t I have Mouse Shapes?? Thanks for some great book picks! Love the “Greedy Triangle”!
.-= Ayn Colsh´s last blog ..Ratfink! =-.
Sarah says
We love Mouse Paint–we’ll have to track down Mouse Shapes, too.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Made By You! =-.
tali says
thank you for all your recommendations.
I wanted to add another one to your list which is a family favorite:
color zoo by Lois Ehlert
tali
.-= tali´s last blog ..A tiger hand puppet – a tutorial for the Chinese New Year =-.
Lynn says
I linked to this post from my blog today 🙂
http://infantbibliophile.blogspot.com/2010/10/greedy-triangle-review-and-companion.html
Gretchen Taft says
I’m looking for books on shapes that include all sorts of polygons. Any ideas?
Gretchen Taft, Director
Memorial Library of Little Valley
Little Valley, NY 14755
memliblv@atlanticbb.net