03/01/2020
PreS-Gr 2—In this inviting concept book, children use their bodies to make different shapes. Brilliantly clear, eye-catching photographs showcase gross motor skills in action: "Luisa can make a circle with her arms." The performance portraits pop against bold colors like orange, green, and yellow, and the featured shape is highlighted in painted background patterns. Some shapes can be made individually ("Jasmine can make a little triangle with her fingers"), and others take teamwork (a rectangle is made with four friends lying down, positioned head to toe). Different camera angles and perspectives are artfully used to great effect, like the aerial shot of five kids sitting with straight legs out to make a star shape. The cheery, conversational text encourages children not only to recognize shapes in their world but also to make connections between themselves and others, and playfully prompts more abstract thinking ("I know, let's make up some new shapes of our own"). The personalities of the 12 diverse participants shine through, and their portraits and names are introduced in the front matter. VERDICT A kinetic celebration of body and mind.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.
2019-11-24
This Australian concept book involves the whole body.
Twelve children bend, twist, and join limbs to form various shapes, all photographed against large, patterned pops of color. Readers are introduced to each child by name on the title-page spread. The kids start simply, with circles and triangles. Some shapes are accomplished alone (a circle with one's arms overhead or a "little" triangle with one's fingers). But most shapes are a collaborative effort. (Whenever one child's toes nearly touch another's face, the apprehensive looks are priceless.) Walker expertly photographs from various angles, though the overhead shots are by far the most clever and amusing. The shapes start to get more complicated (a star, a diamond) until interpretations become a bit looser and more creative. Children standing side by side holding hands are a wavy line, and two others hiding behind Ari with arms straight out becomes a six-armed "Ari-tangle." Orpin's backgrounds and frames often echo the shapes in case extra reinforcement is needed. The children are racially diverse with names hinting at ethnic diversity as well, and playful touches (tongues out, gleeful smiles) expertly capture childlike exuberance.
A treat for all learners, kinesthetic or otherwise. (Picture book. 3-6)
Twelve children bend, twist, and join limbs to form various shapes, all photographed against large, patterned pops of color…Some shapes are accomplished alone (a circle with one's arms overhead or a "little" triangle with one's fingers). But most shapes are a collaborative effort. (Whenever one child's toes nearly touch another's face, the apprehensive looks are priceless.)…The children are racially diverse with names hinting at ethnic diversity as well, and playful touches (tongues out, gleeful smiles) expertly capture childlike exuberance. A treat for all learners, kinesthetic or otherwise.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In this inviting concept book, children use their bodies to make different shapes. Brilliantly clear, eye-catching photographs showcase gross motor skills in action…The cheery, conversational text encourages children not only to recognize shapes in their world but also to make connections between themselves and others, and playfully prompts more abstract thinking…The personalities of the 12 diverse participants shine through…A kinetic celebration of body and mind.” —School Library Journal
“Grab a friend—or two or three—and challenge yourselves by bending, stretching, and twisting into a variety of geometric shapes. Color photographs show a multicultural team of smiling children working together, using their fingers, hands, arms, legs, and whole bodies to create basic shapes like squares, triangles, diamonds, and stars. With this interactive guide that encourages healthy, creative play through imitation, just follow the examples to shape up, or practice identifying sight words and patterns.” —Foreword Reviews
“[M]ore than a book about shapes. It is, but it’s also a book that is subtly about movement and exercise, about friendship and co-operation, and about how much fun learning about and experiencing all of those things can be.” —Baby Librarians
“Charismatic, collaborative and creative shapes made with engaging kids who twist, turn and work together. A bold and bright book that will get you moving and inspire kids to create their own shapes. A perfect classroom read aloud and activity.” —Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Librarian Review, Neill Public Library
