EYE SPY SHAPES

A series of colorful photographs and computer generated illustrations lead junior sleuths on a search for shapes in this companion to Eye Spy Colors (1998). MacKinnon’s simple text covers the basic shapes: circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, and stars. The phrase “I spy with my little eye. . .” begins each section, with a riddle on the facing page providing clues to the answer. Clear, crisp photographs show children engaged in an activity involving the shapes, e.g., “a shape that makes houses and towers. . .” is accompanied by a picture of a little boy inside a large, square box. A cut-out in the featured shape is intended to encourage children to peer through to the next page but is more gimmicky than effective; serving more to frame the phrase “I spy” when the page is turned than revealing anything intriguing to readers. When children turn the page to discover the answer, the text asks readers to locate as many examples of the featured shape that they can find in the picture. Photographs of familiar objects—such as a folded towel, a gift-wrapped box, dice, and a puzzle (for squares)—further reinforce the concept. The busy pages and lack of any traditionally drawn or labeled shapes may confuse a younger toddler just learning about the different shapes. However, this is ideal for an older toddler already familiar with these shapes. A playful, challenging book that encourages preschoolers to discover the shapes in the world around them. (Picture book. 3-6)