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Snowflake Seashell Star: Colouring Adventures in Numberland
This book offers a joyful contemplation of mathematical patterns has long been part of the human experience, from the philosophers of Ancient Greece to the artists of the Renaissance, via Islamic design and Hindu mandalas. Now, Alex Bellos, the bestselling author of Alex's Adventures in Numberland, takes you on a calming and colourful journey into the magical world of mathematics. Snowflake, Seashell, Star is full of intricate and divinely beautiful illustrations, using patterns such as loops, waves and spirals, created by Alex Bellos in collaboration with his friend and mathematical artist, Edmund Harriss. Stretch your artistic talents and embrace mathematics' aesthetic and conceptual exquisiteness. In 80 glorious images Alex will teach you how to convey the wonder of mathematics through colour and design. Snowflake, Seashell, Star is an incredible celebration of the overlaps between mathematics and art, learning and play, concentration and calm.
120 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2015
27 people want to read
About the author
Alex Bellos
70 books379 followers"I was born in Oxford and grew up in Edinburgh and Southampton. After studying mathematics and philosophy at university I joined the Evening Argus in Brighton as a trainee reporter. I joined the Guardian in 1994 as a reporter and in 1998 moved to Rio de Janeiro, where I spent five years as the paper’s South America correspondent. Since 2003 I have lived in London, as a freelance writer and broadcaster.
[...]
In 2003 I presented a five-part series on Brazil for the BBC, called Inside Out Brazil. My short films about the Amazon have been broadcast on the BBC, More 4 and Al Jazeera International."
[...]
In 2003 I presented a five-part series on Brazil for the BBC, called Inside Out Brazil. My short films about the Amazon have been broadcast on the BBC, More 4 and Al Jazeera International."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 15, 2015
A stunning book to colour and contemplate and the maths is enlightening - yes there is maths /geometry behind this images but you don't have to be a mathematician to enjoy; patterns of the universe are incredible! (And this would make a great gift.)
February 26, 2016
Alex Belllos ist ein bekannter Autor von Sachbüchern zur Mathematik und Rätselentwickler.
Das Ausmalbuch ist im Format etwas kleiner als die Bücher von Johanna Basford, Klappenbroschur, Anhang der die mathematischen Hintergründe erklärt. Circa 2/3 des Buches sind Ausmalvorlagen, Muster, die aus der Natur vertraut sind wie die Spirale, die Sonnenblumenkerne in der Blüte bilden, den so genannten Koch’schen Schneesturm, Muster angeordnet wie Parkett-Teile, Fraktale, unregelmäßige Formen und Vielecke. Einige Muster wirken unendlich wie die Bilder M.C. Eschers. Im restlichen Drittel findet sich das Verbinden von Zahlen auf hohem Niveau. Beim Tridoku wird jeder von 9 Zahlen eine Farbe zugewiesen und das quadratische Muster so ausgefüllt. Auf anderen Seiten wird für jedes Feld eine von 6 Farben ausgewürfelt oder eine Münze für die Farbwahl geworfen. Wie eine Fläche mit 5 oder 6 Farben am besten ausgefüllt werden kann, ist für Mathe-Fans wie Mathe-Verächter gleichermaßen spannend. Wenige Muster sind zu kleinteilig zum Ausmalen und könnten evtl. kopiert und vergrößert werden. Die Papierqualität ist sehr gut, beim Ausmalen mit Buntstiften drückt nichts auf die Rückseite durch.
Das Ausmalbuch ist im Format etwas kleiner als die Bücher von Johanna Basford, Klappenbroschur, Anhang der die mathematischen Hintergründe erklärt. Circa 2/3 des Buches sind Ausmalvorlagen, Muster, die aus der Natur vertraut sind wie die Spirale, die Sonnenblumenkerne in der Blüte bilden, den so genannten Koch’schen Schneesturm, Muster angeordnet wie Parkett-Teile, Fraktale, unregelmäßige Formen und Vielecke. Einige Muster wirken unendlich wie die Bilder M.C. Eschers. Im restlichen Drittel findet sich das Verbinden von Zahlen auf hohem Niveau. Beim Tridoku wird jeder von 9 Zahlen eine Farbe zugewiesen und das quadratische Muster so ausgefüllt. Auf anderen Seiten wird für jedes Feld eine von 6 Farben ausgewürfelt oder eine Münze für die Farbwahl geworfen. Wie eine Fläche mit 5 oder 6 Farben am besten ausgefüllt werden kann, ist für Mathe-Fans wie Mathe-Verächter gleichermaßen spannend. Wenige Muster sind zu kleinteilig zum Ausmalen und könnten evtl. kopiert und vergrößert werden. Die Papierqualität ist sehr gut, beim Ausmalen mit Buntstiften drückt nichts auf die Rückseite durch.
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January 1, 2016This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
You’d think it might get a bit samey with so many adult colouring books out there (I’ve reviewed some here, here and here), but this one offers something different again for me.
You get some freedom here, and I think this book is designed for bright colours. Not all of the images are right there for you to colour – you might need to draw lines, or decide on a numbered colour scheme. Others are the traditional different coloured animals fitted into each other which you shade from one side to the other.
If I was to take a guess, if you have a somewhat arty mathematician in your family, this could be a good gift. I’m thinking scientific people of any kind here (just to generalise this
You’d think it might get a bit samey with so many adult colouring books out there (I’ve reviewed some here, here and here), but this one offers something different again for me.
You get some freedom here, and I think this book is designed for bright colours. Not all of the images are right there for you to colour – you might need to draw lines, or decide on a numbered colour scheme. Others are the traditional different coloured animals fitted into each other which you shade from one side to the other.
If I was to take a guess, if you have a somewhat arty mathematician in your family, this could be a good gift. I’m thinking scientific people of any kind here (just to generalise this
December 13, 2015
You'd think it might get a bit samey with so many adult colouring books out there (I've reviewed some more on my blog), but this one offers something different again for me.
You get some freedom here, and I think this book is designed for bright colours. Not all of the images are right there for you to colour - you might need to draw lines, or decide on a numbered colour scheme. Others are the traditional different coloured animals fitted into each other which you shade from one side to the other.
If I was to take a guess, if you have a somewhat arty mathematician in your family, this could be a good gift. I'm thinking scientific people of any kind here (just to generalise this ;) ). Or keep it for yourself. It's so pretty!
You get some freedom here, and I think this book is designed for bright colours. Not all of the images are right there for you to colour - you might need to draw lines, or decide on a numbered colour scheme. Others are the traditional different coloured animals fitted into each other which you shade from one side to the other.
If I was to take a guess, if you have a somewhat arty mathematician in your family, this could be a good gift. I'm thinking scientific people of any kind here (just to generalise this ;) ). Or keep it for yourself. It's so pretty!
July 31, 2016
I love this book: I am not a huge fan of coloring in and of itself, but here I get to play around with using various mathematical rules and concepts. Coloring purists may not appreciate the variety and imaginative aspects of what Bellos has done here, but I certainly do.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews