WHAT COULD IT BE?

Geometric shapes surround us. With a little imagination, children can recognize and identify them in the various objects they encounter in their daily lives.

The formula is simple: a young, light-skinned child introduces each shape, drawing it against a crisp, white background, and then poses the question, “What else could it be?” In the following double-page spread, a number of real-world examples of the shape appear in a busy composition; the text provides three color-coded prompts, while the illustration provides many additional examples to spot. Shapes come to life in settings both familiar (backyard, living room, bedroom, and kitchen) and relatively exotic (ski resort, seaside). Simple shapes—circle, square, triangle, and rectangle—precede the more-difficult outlines of hexagon, oval, and octagon. A brief explanation of the number of sides for each polygon is missing, a lapse in this introductory book. Pen-and-ink drawings colored brightly in what looks like gouache depict basic structures in each setting. An addendum with suggestions on downloading, creating, and using shape templates to make art includes the publisher’s Australian website (not functioning at time of review).

Quibbles aside, this is an easy-to-interpret interactive addition for the concept shelf.