Review by Booklist Review
This large-format book explores symmetry, a topic particularly well suited to visual expression. While the verbal explanations are certainly helpful, the digital illustrations are fundamental to understanding the concepts. After introducing a group of apparently dissimilar objects and asking what they have in common, Leedy demonstrates line symmetry, in which one half of a picture, shape, or word is a mirror image of the other. Next up is rotational symmetry, in which an image rotates around a point. Additional pages illustrate examples from nature, art, and even holiday decorations while asking children to spot the symmetry. The extensive back matter includes a glossary, craft activities, and notes more fully explaining certain concepts. An appended note states that the book meets the Common Core State Standards for fourth-grade mathematics in geometry. Parents and teachers will want to know that, but kids will be drawn to this colorful book for the challenge and the fun of it all.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Using an abundance of colorful, eye-catching computer-generated illustrations and simple descriptive phrases and sentences with key words that pop out in large red lowercase type, Leedy introduces the concept of symmetry. She describes the two types-line and rotational-and their application to animals and nature; the human body; art; letters of the alphabet and words; architecture; and common items. Prompts at the bottom of many pages refer readers to the two pages of appended explanatory notes. Instructions for two activities and an explanation of why symmetry is an important concept in mathematics are included. A publisher's note states that the book ".meets the Common Core State Standards for fourth-grade mathematics in geometry" regarding identification of line-symmetric figures. While the picture-book format belies the sophistication of the subject, Leedy has provided a clear and detailed explanation of a core mathematical concept that will be useful in classrooms. Lynn Peppas's Symmetry (Crabtree, 2009) has simpler text, partially in story format. Nancy Kelly Allen's Is It Symmetrical? (Rourke, 2011) is a very simple introduction to line symmetry. Both are for younger children.-Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Heights Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
After reading this book a few times, it will be hard not to see symmetrical items everywhere you look. Starting simply, Leedy points out that "if you can fold a shape exactly in half, it has symmetry." Easy peasy. She goes on to show how you can picture lines of symmetry dividing the bodies of different animals (sea turtles, penguins, lizards) and how letters of the alphabet and full words can also be symmetrical. Her many visual examples, complete with the imaginary line of symmetry drawn in, will help young math students understand the concept. Things get a little challenging when examining the more abstract idea of rotational symmetry. Luckily Leedy provides many examples in art, quilt patterns, and the natural world. Throughout the book (in tiny font) the author asks readers to think beyond the page, presenting riddles that are answered in the appended notes; suggested activities and further explanations (including a glossary) extend the text. Though all pages are colorful, lively, and easy to understand, the illustrations of holiday symbols seem more like clip art than illustration and sometimes are contrived to fit the theme. But as an encouraging, accurate book about symmetry, this is an excellent offering for young mathematicians. robin l. smith (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An entertaining assortment of dozens of diverse and colorful examples from quilts to kites to cupcakes invites the reader to discover both line and rotational symmetry. The cleverly designed cover and title page provide an example of "flip" or mirror symmetry right off the mark. The book moves on to a clear and simple explanation of the line of symmetry--an image of a folded-paper sea turtle is followed by an image of a real sea turtle--and provides many examples, including individual letters and even words that exhibit symmetry. Leedy moves on to a discussion of rotational symmetry, with various spinning designs. Throughout, the approach is clear, direct, simple and encouraging. One double-page spread of holiday symbols and decorations seems unnecessarily narrow and a bit commercialized, but overall, the layout, diagrams, font sizes and use of color set this overall above a mere textbook treatment. The backmatter reinforces the lesson with the following: two pages of notes provide extensive discussions of the specific forms of symmetry in the main text, and there are two activities (folded shape cutting and a folded paint-blot design), a brief glossary ("Symmetry Words") repeating the vocabulary and concepts introduced in the text and a one-page discussion of the importance of symmetry in math. Useful and accessible. (Informational picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
