By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 26, 2013
A new crop of art books, inspired by geometric shapes, are making their way to bookstores near you. Here are a few of the most interesting ones we’ve come across.
by Kinsy McVay
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Paperback: 47 pages
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
What to expect: A talking line; shapes and drawings; creative artistic expression
In this whimsical book, readers are introduced to the concept of a line, one of the fundamental building blocks of a work of art. Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin. Their importance lies in that their presence can lead your eye around a composition and can communicate information through their character and direction. In the simplest terms, Kinsy McVay illustrates for young readers the many ways that a simple line can convey form and shape in a drawing. Stew, the horizontal line, finds ways to move and transform across the pages in a stark black and white landscape, sparking imagination and creativity. Just Line Around is also available in Spanish as “Entre Lineas.”
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 30 pages
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
What to expect: A young boy’s creative drawings; imaginative play
In Andrew Drew and Drew, author Barney Saltzberg introduces readers to the joys of doodling and drawing from imagination. The clever illustrations include flaps and pull out pages that change what is originally perceived into a new and wholly ingenious drawing.
Reading level: Ages 2-5
Hardcover: 33 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
What to expect: Colorful drawings about dots
Lots of Dots illustrates how our most common objects can transform in a vast array of objects—it just takes a moment to look and see the essence of a shape. Dots can be anything: wheels, balloons, bubbles, stars. The illustrations are lively and colorful and perfectly demonstrate how we are surrounded by dots. A perfect book for encouraging toddlers to look at and observe their surroundings.
by Michael Hall
Reading level: Ages 3-5
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
What to expect: Picture book; basic shapes; imaginative drawing
A perfect square is a thing of beauty with its “four matching corners and four equal sides,” until one day when it is transformed by the cruel hand of fate. The square gets ripped and crumpled and poked full of holes but it finds a way to make itself perfect and beautiful again. Perfect Square is a simple and enticing book about shapes and using one’s imagination to make the most of what can sometimes be imperfect situations.
Reading level: Ages 4-7
Paperback: 38 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
What to expect: Alphabet drawings; imaginative creations
In this new edition of a work originally published in 1963, readers follow a winding, curling, swinging string across pages and images. The string wraps itself around a large assortment of interesting characters until reaching the final page, when the link that ties the drawings together is revealed. A beautifully illustrated book that will captivate the youngest readers.
by Hervé Tullet
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Paperback: 54 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
What to expect: An “interactive” book about dots
This whimsical picture book is sure to be a hit with any age reader—my 5 and 7 year olds absolutely love it! The book requires simple interactions that result in unexpected and zany drawings. Pressing on a dot on one page results in more dots when the reader turns the page. Shaking the book results in a multiplication effect. You get the idea. The book is simple and colorful and perfect for teaching numbers, colors, and action/reaction effects.