Shapes and Shapes: TOON Level 1
Toon Books Series
What’s inside...
Shapes and Shapes is an engaging and colorful journey into the world of geometry through the adventures of various characters exploring different shapes in their environment. Respected art professor Ivan Brunetti uses his artistic skills to make shapes come alive, offering young readers a basic yet exciting art and math lesson. The book highlights the nature and logic of shapes, laying a foundation for geometry and illustration for readers of all ages.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite shape in the book and why?
Can you find something in our room that looks like one of the shapes you saw?
How do you think the square feels being all the corners it has?
If you could be a shape, which one would you be and why?
What can we create together using some of the shapes you learned?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, point to the shapes in the book and then to similar shapes around your home to make the connection tangible.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, focusing on using the shapes they learned.
Use a playful tone to make the discussion more engaging and fun, possibly turning the identification of shapes into a small game.
After reading, collaborate with your child to build something using items of various shapes found around your home.
Validate your child’s thoughts and feelings about different shapes by discussing their perspectives in detail, which encourages them to express themselves more freely.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Recognition of Shapes
Explanation: Through engaging visuals and simple narratives, the book introduces children to various shapes, making it easier to distinguish and name them.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this knowledge in everyday life by identifying shapes in their environment, such as circles in clocks, squares in windows, and so on, enhancing their observational skills.
Example Lesson: Categorization Skills
Explanation: As children encounter different shapes in the story, they learn to classify and group objects based on their characteristics, which is a key cognitive development skill.
Real-World Application: This skill helps children in sorting and organizing objects, crucial in activities like cleaning their rooms or organizing their toys.
Example Lesson: Following Directions
Explanation: The narrative encourages children to trace shapes or point out specific shapes as directed by the text, fostering the ability to follow instructions.
Real-World Application: Following directions is vital in school settings, during games, and in daily tasks, promoting discipline and the ability to carry out tasks efficiently.