Shapes and Shapes Review

Shapes and Shapes

By Ivan Brunetti

5/5

*Thank you to the author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review such a work of art.*

Okay, take it from me... this book should be added to every preschool and kindergarten's curriculum as a required book.  Kids of all ages, from toddlers to elementary-aged students, will adore this book and the way it teaches shapes.  I am a pediatric speech therapist and find that kids love to play around with shapes.  I've never known how to channel their interest in shapes until reading this book.  So, this book aimed towards young children actually taught me a thing or two, (and I'm not ashamed to admit it!)  I think this author/cartoonist is absolutely brilliant.  Not only does he teach children about less common shapes (e.g. octagons, half circles, etc.), he also introduces 3-dimensional shapes like cubes and cones.  What I love most is that Brunetti teaches how to identify shapes in everyday things- from glasses to planets to baseball diamonds... he points out that everything is a shape.  And just like the children in his book, I continued to look for shapes in everyday objects after reading.  (Sidenote: I love that he includes a mini space lesson in this book.  Kids will love to review the planets as they read those pages...because what child doesn't love space?) I also think this book will inspire children to experiment with drawing and with putting shapes together to create what they want.  It sure helped me learn how to draw a simple car by using common shapes (something I'm thrilled to know how to do as my 2-year-old constantly asks me to draw him a "caw").  Overall, I'm really excited about this book.  I'm glad it is supposed to released soon as I want to buy a copy for my own 2 children.