Pitter Pattern

by Joyce Hesselberth, Joyce Hesselberth (Illustrator)

Overview

Patterns are everywhere! How many can you find?

This gorgeously illustrated book from Joyce Hesselberth, the creator of the acclaimed Mapping Sam, expertly introduces readers to basic patterns in nature, music, sports, art, language, and math. Pitter Pattern is an exceptional mix of fiction and nonfiction perfect for home as well as classroom sharing. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Pitter, pitter, pat! Pitter, pitter, pat! Hey, it’s a pitter, pitter, pattern!

Lu and her friends love spotting patterns in their daily activities. Lu learns that patterns can be found at soccer practice, during her piano lessons, in dance class, at snack time, and even at the park! How many patterns can you spot as Lu goes about her week?

Patterns are an important building block of preschool and early elementary education, and Pitter Pattern includes examples of patterns found in music, weather, time, play, shapes, nature, math, and language. The accessible and playful illustrations feature additional patterns for engaged readers to discover. An expert blend of fiction and nonfiction, this beautiful and innovative character-driven picture book is an ideal read-aloud for classrooms, family story times, and for fans of Hervé Tullet, Lois Ehlert, Steve Jenkins, and Joyce Sidman. Includes backmatter about the patterns in the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062741233
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/11/2020
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	175,685
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

11/25/2019

The creator of Mapping Sam astutely explores another basic concept in this introduction to patterns. Hesselberth incorporates auditory and visual patterns into her pithy text and mixed-media pictures, the latter of which are chockablock with geometric shapes. Walking in the rain—wearing clothing and holding umbrellas featuring variegated fabric patterns—three children hear the regular rhythm of the falling drops: “Pitter, pitter, pat! Pitter, pitter, pat! Hey, it’s a pitter, pitter pattern!” The author puts another spin on the notion of patterns by spotlighting kids’ schedules according to the days of the week, revealing patterns within patterns. Each Monday, at soccer practice, teammates kick the patterned ball between cones (“In, out. In, out”); at Tuesday’s piano lesson, the keyboard displays a consistent configuration of keys, and the tune playing, a recurring beat. Inquiring “Are there patterns here?” Hesselberth also urges readers to find examples in scenes portraying fauna and flora, aquatic life, and cityscapes. A concise concluding explanation of repeating and growing patterns may well encourage curious kids to flip back to the start and identify samples of each type on these diverting, layered pages. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

The puzzle-like spreads invite readers to consider what type of patterns appear on each page and then to anticipate an element and fill in what comes next.”  — Booklist

“Geometric illustrations are chock full of patterns to spot . . . There's lots to discover.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Hesselberth incorporates auditory and visual patterns into her pithy text and mixed-media pictures.”  — Publishers Weekly

“An exploration of patterns that are easily observable in the natural and manmade world . . . A strong choice for group sharing.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“In this concept book, Hesselberth follows Lu and her family through a week where each day is full of patterns . . . A picture book that invites discovery, inside and outside the pages.” — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

An exploration of patterns that are easily observable in the natural and manmade world . . . A strong choice for group sharing.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

The puzzle-like spreads invite readers to consider what type of patterns appear on each page and then to anticipate an element and fill in what comes next.” 

Booklist

In this concept book, Hesselberth follows Lu and her family through a week where each day is full of patterns . . . A picture book that invites discovery, inside and outside the pages.

Horn Book Magazine

The puzzle-like spreads invite readers to consider what type of patterns appear on each page and then to anticipate an element and fill in what comes next.” 

Booklist

An exploration of patterns that are easily observable in the natural and manmade world . . . A strong choice for group sharing.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

02/28/2020

PreS-Gr 1—Readers follow a young girl named Lu through her week as she experiences patterns in a variety of ways. From visual patterns to musical patterns, from patterns in nature to man-made creations, there are patterns to uncover on each page. Since this book doesn't concentrate on a specific kind of pattern, certain pages may be too complicated for the designated age range. Patterns are incorporated visually into the background as well as foreground, in addition to the pattern concepts being told on each page. The last page includes an explanation of what a pattern is and more detail about the different kind of patterns Lu discovers. VERDICT This title is too complicated for your standard picture book concepts, and not an easy read aloud. It's best shared one-on-one or available in a classroom setting.—Shana Shea, Windsor Public Library, CT

School Library Journal

2019-10-09
"Pitter, pitter, pat! Pitter, pitter, pat!...Hey, it's a pitter, pitter pattern!"

Spots (on a dog), nested diamonds (on the wallpaper), houndstooth (on clothing)—there are so many patterns to see! At first, Hesselberth presents sequences textually with visual support as main character Lu, with light-brown skin and dark-brown hair, helps her friends (a short, black-presenting child and a tall, white-presenting child) remove their wet boots. Then the days of the week carry the narrative along to next Sunday, when Lu can see her friends again. There are patterns to identify in each day's activity, like the pentagons on a soccer ball, beats in a musical piece, and intricate quilt patterns. Guided identification transitions easily into open questions ("Are there patterns here?") for nature scenes viewed with Lu's interracial family. Geometric illustrations are chock full of patterns to spot, but the sweeping two-paged spreads are never overwhelming, partially thanks to strategically juxtaposed colors. Hesselberth includes backmatter on pattern types (repeating vs. growing) and places to find patterns (nature, time, etc.) to prompt further discussions. The text and essential pictures offer bountiful opportunities for reader interaction, whether one-on-one or in a group setting. Young ones can verbally identify or point to their discoveries or participate in rhythmic clapping and repetitive dance moves. There's lots to discover as well as several methods to access the lesson.

Never pedantic, this book encourages a fun, developmentally appropriate way to look at the world. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews