Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Völker invites readers to reflect upon shapes in this interactive picture book that's, per a closing note, inspired by a real museum. Introducing a shape-based institution and its curator, pink-skinned, blue-haired Alma (Alma's dog also follows along), an unseen speaker proceeds to offer easy-to-understand definitions of geometric terms (a line, triangle, and circle), 3D shapes, and more, as Alma works to curate an exhibition. Interludes prompt reader engagement: "Alma has to find all the triangles in her collection so that she can put them in the museum. Can you help her find the triangles?" Spare text has a pleasing clarity as well as a playfulness ("The shapes that wiggly lines make are not neat and tidy"). Blocky, clean-edged artwork with occasional spatter textures energizes narration through unexpected design composition. After the exhibition's opening night, a city skyscape of buildings with illuminated windows hints that shapes are everywhere. Ages 5--9. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--In this lively picture book about shapes, readers encounter cartoon-style illustrations that lend movement to the text. Brightly toned formations are depicted with the premise of being displayed as a museum exhibit. There is an abundance of shapes, colors, numbers, and letters to identify on every page. Younger readers could pick out basic forms while more advanced concepts, such as position, curves, and angles, will appeal to slightly older readers. The text encourages exploration through one of the main tenets of early literacy: looking for shapes everywhere in everyday objects. Several pages include questions or prompts that enhance interactivity. VERDICT Recommended as an essential purchase for the early reader crowd.--Alison Schwartz
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Take a tour and learn about the art of various shapes. Pale-skinned, bluish-gray-haired Alma, curator at the Museum of Shapes, and her dog Max are planning an exhibit--with a little help from readers. They start with the simplest shape, a point, and build out from a line to an angle to a triangle to other shapes, eventually including an octagon. Along the way, readers learn about curved shapes such as circles or semicircles, as well as three-dimensional shapes. Of these, shapes like cones and cylinders both have circles as their base. Different shapes combine to form items readers will recognize from real life, such as a sailboat and a leaf. Wiggly lines can create objects, too, such as an oak leaf or cooked spaghetti. Völker periodically poses thought-provoking questions to readers, asking them to find all the triangles on a page, to pick a favorite shape, or to determine if a sunset is made up of one circle or two semicircles. Once Alma sets up the exhibit, it's time for opening night. Völker observes that even outside, the city's skyline is filled with amazing shapes. This geometric primer is an immaculately balanced combination of geometric information, "I spy" elements, and interaction. The pale backgrounds and consistently clean lines make the different elements pop, whether depicted in bold, light, or variegated shades. Backmatter notes that the idea for the book originated at the real-life Museum of Concrete Art and Design in Ingolstadt, Germany. A visual treat guaranteed to entrance budding mathematicians.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
