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Math Is CATegorical ®
Windows, Rings, and Grapes - a Look at Different Shapes
In this humorous look at shapes, Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable introduce circles, ovals, triangles, squares, and rectangles. The comical cats of the wildly popular Words Are CATegorical series explain how to identify each shape and provide loads of examples. Peppy rhymes and kid-friendly examples make shaping up a snap!
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First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 19, 2017
Text: 3 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars
Nonfiction picture book that teaches shapes. Part of Brian Cleary's Math is CATegorical series, but more basic than the other books in this series. Not sure who is the audience for this one, since it covers only basic shapes of circles, ovals, triangles, squares, and rectangles, which are typically learned in pre-school, yet this book/series is recommended for early elementary school students. For that age group, the book needs to include more detail and unusual shapes (diamond, crescent, pyramid, cylinder, octagon, etc.).
Illustrations: 3 stars
Nonfiction picture book that teaches shapes. Part of Brian Cleary's Math is CATegorical series, but more basic than the other books in this series. Not sure who is the audience for this one, since it covers only basic shapes of circles, ovals, triangles, squares, and rectangles, which are typically learned in pre-school, yet this book/series is recommended for early elementary school students. For that age group, the book needs to include more detail and unusual shapes (diamond, crescent, pyramid, cylinder, octagon, etc.).
December 22, 2017
This rhyming text has some silly critters teaching you all about shapes.
Not great: Explicitly says squares aren't rectangles.
Also, the initial description of ovals is pretty good (although it seems to explicitly say that circcles aren't ovals), but eggs and race tracks don't really match that definition (eggs have one end bigger than the other and race tracks have straight-aways, which the book even points out).
Like that they show some triangles that aren't equilateral. Wish more of the squares and rectangles were in a different orientation so that kids would see that it doesn't matter if the point is down.
Not great: Explicitly says squares aren't rectangles.
Also, the initial description of ovals is pretty good (although it seems to explicitly say that circcles aren't ovals), but eggs and race tracks don't really match that definition (eggs have one end bigger than the other and race tracks have straight-aways, which the book even points out).
Like that they show some triangles that aren't equilateral. Wish more of the squares and rectangles were in a different orientation so that kids would see that it doesn't matter if the point is down.
December 22, 2017
Talks about circles, ovals, triangles, squares, and rectangles.
I liked that it showed some different triangles (not all equilateral), but they weren't in many different orientations. All the squares and rectangles are showed with sides parallel to the sides of the book, as well.
The definition for rectangle that's used here seems to explicitly exclude squares. Similarly, the definition of oval excludes circles.
The examples of ovals are weird. The book points out that there are pretty straight sections in a race track but still calls them ovals, and and it uses eggs as another example of ovals.
I liked that it showed some different triangles (not all equilateral), but they weren't in many different orientations. All the squares and rectangles are showed with sides parallel to the sides of the book, as well.
The definition for rectangle that's used here seems to explicitly exclude squares. Similarly, the definition of oval excludes circles.
The examples of ovals are weird. The book points out that there are pretty straight sections in a race track but still calls them ovals, and and it uses eggs as another example of ovals.
August 25, 2021
An adorable rhyming book to explore the traits present in certain shapes. A great book to reinforce and help kids master these preschool concepts.
November 28, 2022
Informational
K-2
I really enjoyed reading this book because it involves the math concepts of shapes. Throughout the book, it talks about each of the shapes. Gives descriptive words throughout the book about the shapes.
K-2
I really enjoyed reading this book because it involves the math concepts of shapes. Throughout the book, it talks about each of the shapes. Gives descriptive words throughout the book about the shapes.
October 28, 2012
I loved this book. It is a great way to teach shapes, and the characteristics of different shapes. With a fun poem like story, this book discusses various beginner shapes such as circles, ovals, triangles, squares, rectangles. With each shape there are also many examples of everyday items. For example, this book describes a a triangle as three lines that come together and have three points and angles. It also talks about the prefix tri- discussing that this means three and providing examples of a TRIcycle and a TRIceratop.
February 27, 2010
We've really enjoyed the books from this author/illustrator team. This one, however, wasn't our favorite. The verse didn't flow as smoothly and they stuck with basic shapes. What about a hexagon, a trapezoid or a rhombus? Still, it is an entertaining tale and an effective way to teach math concepts to younger children.
April 19, 2012
Who this book is for: PreK-3rd
Activity: Shapes; Students can explore the classroom and take pictures of various shapes they find!
Reflection: This book is great to get kids thinking about all the shapes around us! Also, enforcing the math vocabulary!
Activity: Shapes; Students can explore the classroom and take pictures of various shapes they find!
Reflection: This book is great to get kids thinking about all the shapes around us! Also, enforcing the math vocabulary!
July 15, 2013
This is an early elementary book about shapes. It has cute rhymes and pictures to draw a student in. It is way under my grade level but it would be good for kindergarten or first grade.
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September 12, 2014
Andrew said he really liked it because he loves math. He wants to know more about 3D shapes, and this book only had 2D shapes, so we give it only 3 stars. It is a cute concept and reminded me of Dr. Seuss.
March 28, 2012
A fun book with beautiful illustrations that teaches about different shapes. Uses humor, fun words, and rhyming to teach shapes. Would be great for Pre-K or Kindergarten. Bright and Colorful.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews