Which one doesn't belong? Playing with shapes by Christopher Danielson

This is one shape book that will both challenge readers’ thinking and encourage them to think outside the box. Kirkus Star review

I do love to browse the non fiction shelves in the library I visit each week - I always find so many quirky books.  If I was using this book with a class I would copy each page to display - one per week over a term and then invite the children to talk about their 'answers'. Actually the author explains there are no 'right' answers here - you just need to be able to justify your ideas.

This brightly coloured book has four shapes on each page with the question - which one doesn't belong. This book was published in 2019 but it is still available in paperback for a good price. 

Bookseller blurb: Written by a celebrated math educator, this innovative inquiry encourages critical thinking and sparks memorable mathematical conversations. Children and their parents answer the same question about each set of four shapes- "Which one doesn't belong?" There's no one right answer--the important thing is to have a reason why. Kids might describe the shapes as squished, smooshed, dented, or even goofy. But when they justify their thinking, they're talking math! Winner of the Mathical Book Prize for books that inspire children to see math all around them.

There is also a version of this book available with a teachers guide:

In the companion teacher's guide, (9781625310811) Danielson shows how to facilitate rich discussions and teach mathematical argumentation using Which One Doesn't Belong? He models how to listen closely and respectfully to students' ideas about shapes. Danielson synthesizes research about how children learn geometry, discusses the role of geometry in the mathematics curriculum, and gives plenty of practical advice about different ways to implement Which One Doesn't Belong? in classrooms.

Christopher Danielson has a PhD in Mathematics. Take a look at his webpage. He is clearly a very passionate educator. In this video (3 minutes) he talks about the inspiration for Which one doesn't belong? and as a bonus you can see inside the book. 

I am keen to look for this book too:

My first book of Patterns by Bobby and June George art by Boyoun Kim

Recently someone posted a question on a forum asking for picture books for an inquisitive three year old. Books with a rich vocabulary. I think this book would be perfect but it will also appeal to older readers - much older readers! When I received this book as a gift I showed it to a twenty-five year old who enjoyed the concept of this book and confessed to not knowing the names of some of the patterns explored in this book. She was intrigued by the beautiful book design and presentation of the concept of pattern.

In forty pages this book explores combination of lines, diamonds, circles, squares, circles and teardrops.  And then reveals patterns with names like stripes, plaid, chevron, harlequin, argyle and paisley. There are three sections to each pattern - the shape, the pattern and then a bright page showing the pattern in action. These pages are sure to lead to some good discussion and lively questions.

Take a look at the book trailer here. This book comes from two Montessori educators. I highly recommend this for children aged 1-3. Take a look at work of the illustrator Boyoun Kim.

Concepts of order, repetition, part and whole, colors, and shapes are all effortlessly introduced and applied. The page turns are perfect and will have little ones excitedly yelling out what patterns the shapes make. The Picture Book Review

Square by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Square is the second book in a set of three. You can probably guess all the titles Circle, Triangle and here is Square. One very interesting thing I noticed after reading reviews of the Shapes Trilogy is the wildly divergent audience suggestions. Kirkus say Square is for 10+, Triangle is for ages 2-4 and Circle is for 4-8.  I wonder if these were the ages Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen anticipated for these three wonderful books.  In my view these three books could easily be enjoyed by children in Kindergarten right up to adult readers.

Square is such a deep book. How amazing. It has very few words. It does not use a complex vocabulary and has only two shapes as the characters. For me, though, this is not a simple book. It is a book about work (is it futile?), creativity, self esteem and point of view. There would be so much to discuss here with a class of older students.

Square is working hard. His 'job' seems to follow the same routine every day. He seems okay with his life. Perhaps he doesn't question why the blocks need moving each day. Along comes Circle. She sees his blocks and declares they are a work of art. Square in not sure about this new idea. Circle praises the talents of Square and commissions him to make a circle. Square tries so hard but making a perfect circle from one his blocks proves impossible. Square feels like a failure but Circle sees the world in a different way. She sees wonder in his work - a circle of stones with a puddle in the middle which provides a perfect reflection.

"You are a genius,' said Circle.
But was he really?"

I love the shape of Square - it is a square, of course, but with rounded edges. I love the cover made from thick card the kind you usually find on board books. And I love those expressive eyes which seem to look straight at the reader.

Walker Books have made a set of teaching notes based around all three books. Watch this video where Mac and Jon talk about their books. Here is an interview with Mac and Jon.

Read some reviews.

• Publishers Weekly
• The Book Sniffer

This book takes a sweeter turn from its prankish predecessor in that Square works hard to create something for Circle, only to feel like he failed; but when Circle sees what he created, she is “beguiled” once more by his genius.  School Library Journal

For all its brevity, chockablock with philosophical topics to ponder and debate. Kirkus

The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen

Here is a list of things you need to know :

• The Blue Balloon is not a new book (first published in 1989)
• The Blue Balloon is near the top of my favourite picture books of all time!
• The Blue Balloon review is number 700 for my little blog and today is the 7th day of the 7th month I am such a fan of number sequences like this
• The Blue Balloon is a book for all ages.  It is a book to treasure and read over and over again.
• If The Blue Balloon is a book you have not yet discovered rush out right now and grab a copy - you will not be disappointed.
• The Blue Balloon is the first book which features the cute dog Kipper - he went on to star in a whole series of books nearly all of which you can find in our school library.

"One day after my birthday party Kipper found a soggy blue balloon in the garden." This is the opening sentence.  Perhaps this balloon is nothing too special but the next sentence tells us "the balloons at my party were red and white." And so a day of pure balloon fun begins.  Featuring flaps and fold outs this balloon is subjected to all sorts of rough treatment but it always survives and as an added delight changes in the most marvellous and truly magical ways.

I am so happy The Blue Balloon emerged on the top of my reading pile in time to celebrate review number 700.

You might also like to read my review of another Mick Inkpen gem - Nothing.

Dot by Patricia Intriago

Have you seen the wonderful book Press Here by Herve Tullet?  Well here is another wonderfully innovative book called Dot by Patricia Intriago.  Intriago seems like the perfect name for the creator of this intriguing book.

Dot is filled with dots - and also filled with surprises.  Can you think how to illustrate a a page that says "This dot is yummy, this dot tastes bad."?

I was looking for a book to share with over 80 preschool visitors who came with their parents and siblings to see my library this week.  I read Open this little Book which was okay but I wish I had used Dot - it is a special book with deceptively simple black and white illustrations (and a few in colour).  I must also say the ending is utterly perfect.

I am going to make a collection on pinterest of really special picture books like Dot that simply cannot be categorized - picture books that make you go wow!  Another one to add to this would be 1 is for one which is a long time favourite of mine.

Here is some of the text from dot just to inspire you to look for this book and see how each page is illustrated.

Dot
Stop dot
Go dot
Slow dot
Fast dot
Up and down dots bounce around
Loud and quiet dots make different sounds.