Shaping Up Summer

January 15, 2014
Flatt and Barron's fourth and final entry in the Math in Nature series rounds out the seasons with a look at shapes in the summer. From 2-D to 3-D, Flatt explores all sorts of shapes, though only rarely do either the text or the gorgeous cut-paper collages reflect shapes actually found in nature. Moles dig out tunnels in the shapes of rectangles, triangles and squares, while ghost crabs use the sand excavated from their holes to build spheres, prisms and cylinders. A spread depicting a beaver's dam asks readers to find 3-D shapes with various numbers of faces. From shapes, Flatt moves on to explore such relational concepts as above, below, under, over, beside, etc. A pond scene challenges readers' knowledge of symmetry; dolphins turn, flip and slide; and two final scenes ask readers to look at placement. Barron's artwork continues to be the major draw, as this latest shares the flaws of the other books in the series. The rhythm and rhyme are inconsistent, sometimes dropping altogether, and the book lacks an answer key. The audience isn't clear--those who are drawn to picture books may find themselves in over their heads, as the concepts and vocabulary are not explained. This entry also mixes math with a bit of science, with murky results. Backmatter gives a brief paragraph of information about each featured animal. If reading with a caring adult, children can show off what they know and extend their learning, though there's not much realistic about the nature. (Math picture book. 5-7)

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April 1, 2014

Gr 2-4-This title combines simple rhyming prose with nature and geometry concepts. Each page poses a question about the scene, interspersed with small text boxes that further explore geometric concepts that are included in the scene. For example, on a page picturing a spider and its web, readers are asked to identify pictures hidden in the web as well as to count all of the squares. Many geometry concepts are covered, from the simplistic (identifying easy shapes) to the complex (learning about lines of symmetry, mapping, and 3D shapes). Toward the end of the book, there's additional information on the animals pictured throughout (narwhals, coyotes, puffins, etc.). The illustrations are vibrant and will keep any child interested in turning the page to see what happens next. As far as the math concepts, the book is noticeably missing a glossary of terms. Students may need guidance to get full use of this title; those who are unfamiliar with these geometric concepts may not even realize that the book is a learning tool. Recommended as a general purchase for all libraries.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

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