Which One Doesn't Belong?: Playing with Shapes

by Christopher Danielson

Talking math with your child is simple and even entertaining with this better approach to shapes!

Written by a celebrated math educator, this innovative inquiry encourages critical thinking and sparks memorable mathematical conversations. Children and their parents answer the same question about each set of four "Which one doesn't belong?" There's no one right answer--the important thing is to have a reason why. Kids might describe the shapes as squished, smooshed, dented, or even goofy. But when they justify their thinking, they're talking math! Winner of the Mathical Book Prize for books that inspire children to see math all around them.

"This is one shape book that will both challenge readers' thinking and encourage them to think outside the box."-- Kirkus Reviews , STARRED review

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Stem, Science, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 12, 2019

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how standardized tests project that there is only one answer on a multiple choice question even if more than one of the choices seem plausible? Yeah, well this book spits in the face of that and I love it.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Which One Doesn’t Belong: Playing with Shapes by Christopher Danielson. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2019. $16. 9781580899444

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

This book features pages with four shapes and the simple questions of which shape doesn’t belong and why. It provides an example at the beginning with lots of interesting perspectives. It asks readers to be creative and think outside of the box. The pages seem to get more challenging as the book goes on and will require even more creative thinking.

Don’t get me wrong, this book requires some excellent thinking skills. That being said, its boring. I think most students would rather solve who do-its, riddles, and puzzles. I can see a teacher using this book selectively as a challenge at the start of a shape lesson, but as a whole I think a student would read this book and feel like they were doing homework.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold, a kid's book by a master educator. What a treat!

The Goodreads Blurber has brought a concise description of the Method Behind the Sanity. To change one word from the famous quote from "Hamlet." I'll quote it below.

First though, a fun fact: The original quote about "method to his madness" came from the character named Polonius:

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.” That said . . . .

HERE'S THE METHOD BEHIND THIS DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE BOOK

Written by a celebrated math educator, this innovative inquiry encourages critical thinking and sparks memorable mathematical conversations. Children and their parents answer the same question about each set of four "Which one doesn't belong?" There's no one right answer--the important thing is to have a reason why. Kids might describe the shapes as squished, smooshed, dented, or even goofy. But when they justify their thinking, they're talking math! Winner of the Mathical Book Prize for books that inspire children to see math all around them.

I just love it when the author writes:
"All these answers are correct." And then he explains why.

FIVE STARS for the rare treat of a kid's book that is so pedagogically sophisticated.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each page of shapes is accompanied with questions that help children practice critical thinking, utilize mathematical vocabulary, and identify sameness and difference. When there is no "right" reason, children will feel empowered to speak up and share their answers in a group setting. A great book to begin the school year and encourage class participation from the start.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Christopher Danielson's How Many? and this one is also fun. But it's also maddening!!! Connor and I looked at it together and tried to find a difference for each shape on every page and we FAILED! It was really hard!! Still really fun though and I would love to dive in with a kiddo.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Math should be playful! Divergent thinking is a skill that crosses disciplines, and this book is a great introduction. There are four shapes that share both commonalities and differences, and readers are encouraged to explain their thinking, regardless of the one they select. Bravo, Christopher!

Disclaimer: The author is one of my mathematical heroes.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for kids learning geometry. Each page presents 4 shapes and asks which one doesn’t belong. The best part is you can make a case for any of the shapes based on different features (sides, edges, size, etc). This lets kids really think about and play with mathematical ideas. I would definitely use this with my 3rd graders.

[K C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would never have a favorite children's nonfiction book. I lied. I don't even like math but iIreally love this book. It encourages kids to expand on the notions of what adults might think to be obvious and shows the reader how all ideas are important and valued. It also just lets kids get really creative and helps them verbalize their reasoning.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookaday #19. Love the open endedness of this book, asking the reader to pick the one that doesn’t belong, and then to justify the answer. The author note at the end honors all sorts of math vocabulary including smooshed, dented, curvy, and cupcake! Can’t wait to use this with PreK and their shapes unit, or even older students talking sides, angles, and other properties.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do NOT read this book if you are a Type-A, perfectionist, who needs to have a clear cut, precise, CORRECT, answer to every problem in life, and you need to SOLVE things.

This will drive you NUTS.

Math-Schmath. I'm just saying.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about this book is that there is no wrong answer as long as you can say why you think it is the answer!
I am sure my answer, and your answers are different! BUT you have to say WHY!
Great thinking and logic exercise!

[Lannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with patterns hasn’t ever been this fun! There was much joy and value found in watching your child’s thinking process in real time, and the opportunity for them to come up with more than one right answer, often ones I didn’t catch! Great exercise in “there’s not always one right answer.”

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asks readers to support their answers for which shape doesn't belong.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to get people thinking about similarities and differences.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic book to prompt discussion on the ideas of different and same.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept. I can see this working well with 1st or 2nd graders. I'm not sure my preschooler would get it...he still likes one clear-cut answer.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great concept book offering a unique approach to thinking about shapes.

[Lagobond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool book that encourages observation, thinking, and discussion rather than presenting "ironclad" facts for kids to parrot. I love it.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome. You get four shapes and there’s now right answer as to which doesn’t belong, there’s just your answer and explanation.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Gracie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A million stars because it’s a game. It’s so fun!"

[Randi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really neat concept that I look forward to reading again with my kiddo when they’re a bit older.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady]

n/a. 07/29/21 Bookwalk

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book that encourages discussion and defending a position. May be too complicated for pre-school, but at least a great lap book.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be using this book to have math talks with my students

[Beau Manglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Concept Skill: Shapes
Reprint from 2016

A great practice in critical thinking, utilizing mathematical vocabulary, and utilizing sameness and difference. When there is no "right" reason, children will feel empowered to speak up and share their answers in a group setting. A great book to begin the school year and encourage class participation from the start.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to encourage mathematical and logical thinking, conversation, and play. My three year old enjoys discussing the different pages, and can make coherent arguments for some figures, but there's enough depth here to challenge me as well! This book will last for years of mathy conversations.

[Brenda Kahn]

When I first pulled this out of my review box, I thought, "Cute! I will just zip through this and send it to someone I know with pre-schoolers." Nope! Didn't zip through it. Couldn't! This was hard but fun! Then, I thought that I am keeping the book to use with my sixth graders as an exercise when I tell them that I want them to go beyond, "It was good," when describing a book they enjoyed (or didn't). Why? So, yeah, math teachers, heads up; but LA teachers, any teacher hoping to instill critical thinking skills, take a look!

[Boom! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book that encourages individual thinking. There are no wrong answers and kids can think out of the box. My kids have spent hours flipping through this discussing what think think certain shapes are out of place and they don't argue because every answer is correct!