Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

I Spy Shapes in Art (Hardback) - Common

Rate this book
Key Features Description From the author of I SPY - AN ALPHABET IN ART; and I SPY - NUMBERS IN ART, another title containing a selection of fine art paintings from artists worldwide and throughout history, combined with a simple game of shape spotting. I spy with my little eye...a square, a diamond, ten circles Each magnificent painting in this book has a different shape for you to find - some are easy, but some are difficult. And when you have found them all, there are lots of other interesting things to spot. Lucy Micklethwait has selected a wonderful range of fine art by painters. With a gloriously reproduced piece of art on each spread, this title is the ultimate... Show More From the author of I SPY - AN ALPHABET IN ART; and I SPY - NUMBERS IN ART, another title containing a selection of fine art paintings from artists worldwide and throughout history, combined with a simple game of shape spotting. I spy with my little eye...a square, a diamond, ten circles Each magnificent painting in this book has a different shape for you to find - some are easy, but some are difficult. And when you have found them all, there are lots of other interesting things to spot. Lucy Micklethwait has selected a wonderful range of fine art by painters. With a gloriously reproduced piece of art on each spread, this title is the ultimate picture-puzzle challenge for children, making art accessible and fun. Standards 1.G.A.2 Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, etc.) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prism, etc.) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. 1.G.A.2 Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, etc.) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prism, etc.) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. Product Details Item #: NTS551211 9780545512114 Paperback Book 40 1 - 3 Lexile 450L Guided Reading GR Level F DRA 10 Key Features Item #: NTS551211 9780545512114 Paperback Book 40 1 - 3 Lexile 450L Guided Reading GR Level F DRA 10

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2004

1 person is currently reading
113 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Micklethwait

22 books13 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
42 (28%)
4 stars
57 (39%)
3 stars
43 (29%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Cheryl.
12.6k reviews479 followers
December 11, 2022
I very highly recommend this (and/or, I assume, others in the series) as birthday presents to children turning one or two. Or artists of any age. And everyone should find at least one at their library. Very simple, which gives it the tightest focus possible.

I particularly loved seeing works I was not familiar with. Winslow Homer, Hockney, Klee, and O'Keeffe were represented by new-to-me pieces. And I'd never known Peter Blake at all, iirc.

But best of all is that this would be any easy game to play with your littles. 'Reread' the book, spying other shapes. Go to a museum and take turns spying details for the others to find. Or even do the same on a walk around the neighborhood. This game can definitely played by all ages!!

Unfortunately it is difficult to find in US. Do check your libraries, but if you must be content with a scanned copy, join me in appreciating Open Library for preserving some in their ever-growing accessible archive.
Profile Image for Lisa Vegan.
2,900 reviews1,308 followers
October 24, 2010
I just love the books by this author. The last one I read was set up as this one was, with fourteen paintings, but it was to find colors, not shapes: I Spy Colors in Art. The 2 books would be perfect to read together. So far, my favorite art books for children by her are A Child's Book of Art: Great Pictures First Words and A Child's Book of Play in Art.

This one is a bit of a challenge for younger kids. Some of the shapes are ones they might have to learn, but it’s a terrific way to teach them. I found all the shapes quickly but I can see it being a true task for young kids. And, then it’s fun to look for all the other shapes that are in each painting.

Micklethwait is a genius at choosing paintings that will appeal to both children and their adults, and simply viewing the paintings in this book is enjoyable and educational too.

In the back of the book there’s a list with a bit more information about the paintings. I’m eager to read through most of this author’s books and I’ll keep them in mind for giving as gifts. They’re really wonderful.

I’m giving this book an extra start because I think it’s the best “shapes” book I’ve seen.
Profile Image for Astiazh.
174 reviews38 followers
August 26, 2019
به نظرم این کتاب همه چیز برای یه کودک داره
از شکلهای هندسی تا رنگ و اندازه ها و نقاشی و خلاصه انواع بازی و آموزش که میتونید با کودکان کار کنید.
هدف این مجموعه تمرکز روی تصاویر و پیدا کردن تصویر و شکل مورد نظر است.
که میتوان بعد از پیدا کردن آن کلی در موردش با کودک گفتگو کرد.
Profile Image for Ietrio.
6,932 reviews24 followers
October 12, 2016
Cute concept to try to develop the eye of the young reader to find the simple geometric forms in the classical art.
Profile Image for Luciana.
845 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2021
I so enjoyed looking at this book!

What I love about it is not only finding specific shapes but trying to find that specific shape inside a work of art. Some shapes are easy to find, others not, but each page can generate discussion about what other objects/shapes/colours you can find in the work of art. An interesting way to introduce children to fine art & the old masters!
440 reviews3 followers
March 7, 2019
Love. There's such a nice variety in the different pieces of art, and I can look at the pictures with my baaaabbbbbyyyyyy.
Profile Image for Jeani.
1,168 reviews
July 30, 2019
This is splendid! Would love a board book version.
521 reviews
August 4, 2020
Excellent way to introduce children to works of art.
Profile Image for Maki.
920 reviews
October 13, 2020
Introduces kids to art and reteaches shapes through famous art pieces.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,538 reviews5 followers
August 30, 2021
Through a simple game of search for the shapes, the author helps children explore many masterpieces of art. This book is clever and an interesting and engaging way for kids to learn about art.
Profile Image for Bix.
68 reviews15 followers
June 16, 2008
A clever, artful concept book that presents a series of fine art reproductions, and asks readers to identify particular shapes within each painting. Serving as an introduction to shapes for younger children, this book will also introduce older children to modern art. Featuring a list in the back of the book with title, artist, and current location of each painting, this lovely and intriguing volume will appeal to children ages 4 and up."

SPL Summary: "Presents objects with the shape of a heart, a triangle, a square and other shapes through paintings by such artists as Magritte, Escher, and Matisse."

SLJ: "PreS-Gr 2. Micklethwait's contributions to the literature of art appreciation for children are many; here she uses the "I Spy" format to encourage youngsters to seek out particular shapes in reproductions of paintings. The 19th- and 20th-century works are mostly European and American in origin. Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Matisse, M. C. Escher, and Andy Warhol are among the artists represented. A colorful, clean design is coupled with a large font, making this a book that new readers will be able to enjoy independently. Captions with titles and artists are provided below the text... a welcome introduction to visual literacy for the youngest clientele."

Booklist: "PreS-Gr. 2. Micklethwait's latest title uses stunning reproductions of artworks to introduce... shapes. Preschoolers will be able to search for ovals, squares, hearts, and more within large, sharp images of famous art... The concept may be simplicity itself, but children will want to return again and again to the inviting pages, where they can point out everything else that they "spy" within the richly detailed images. Language arts teachers may also want to use this with older children as a springboard for story-writing exercises. A handsome offering with appeal to a wide age group."
Profile Image for Jennifer Kim.
80 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2013
This book is a fun and interactive way to introduce young children to shapes and colors. The repetitive nature of the sentences make it easy for children to follow along and the colorful pictures that correspond to it make it a sure favorite for young children. This book draws children in to actively search for the shapes that are mentioned. It also gets young children familiarized with shapes that are used in geometry.This book reminds me of the giant "I Spy" books that I so enjoyed when I was younger. This book would be a fun read for children of any ages, but I might be more inclined to use it with children in the lower elementary grade levels.
Profile Image for Janet Squires.
Author 8 books63 followers
Read
September 30, 2015
Built on the "I Spy with my little eye" games familiar from driving trips, Micklethwait encourages her young readers to find shapes in 14 famous paintings from artists ranging from Warhol to Matisse. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn to look at art in a new way and introduce some of the world's best known talents.
406 reviews
February 26, 2009
While it isn't the first book I'd use to introduce shapes, many of them my two year old could do. As an adult, it's certainly one of the more interesting shapes books I've seen and it kept T's attention, too, as she looked for shapes.
Profile Image for Holly.
137 reviews65 followers
June 15, 2010
I love this series of books and so does my child. I love exposing my kiddo to various genres of art. After one read, my son was picking out the shapes and pointing to others as he found them in on the page. I want the entire series on my bookshelf at home.
73 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2013
Shapes are found all throughout the art demonstrated in this book. Spying shapes in art is a great way to show students that shapes/math concepts are everywhere. However, I would not use this book when first introducing shapes because of the excessive stimuli and, at times, lack of clarity.
Profile Image for Jessica.
68 reviews
May 23, 2008
It is very neat how there are artworks from various famous artists and it challenges readers to find certain shapes in the actual works of art. I like how it integrates math with art.
Profile Image for Beckett.
17 reviews
August 24, 2010
We got this book from the library. I think it would be a good purchase for later.
Profile Image for Theresa.
8,230 reviews130 followers
July 19, 2013
showing the art forms and naming shapes for ememgent reader
4 reviews
September 4, 2015
Basic, but a fun introduction to look at shapes in art. Really meant for a 2-3 year old.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.