Shaping Up Summer

Gr 2–4—This title combines simple rhyming prose with nature and geometry concepts. Each page poses a question about the scene, interspersed with small text boxes that further explore geometric concepts that are included in the scene. For example, on a page picturing a spider and its web, readers are asked to identify pictures hidden in the web as well as to count all of the squares. Many geometry concepts are covered, from the simplistic (identifying easy shapes) to the complex (learning about lines of symmetry, mapping, and 3D shapes). Toward the end of the book, there's additional information on the animals pictured throughout (narwhals, coyotes, puffins, etc.). The illustrations are vibrant and will keep any child interested in turning the page to see what happens next. As far as the math concepts, the book is noticeably missing a glossary of terms. Students may need guidance to get full use of this title; those who are unfamiliar with these geometric concepts may not even realize that the book is a learning tool. Recommended as a general purchase for all libraries.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA