Triangle for Adaora: An African Book of Shapes

by Ifeoma Onyefulu

When Adaora asks to see something in the shape of a triangle, her cousin goes on a search through his African village where he shows her various shapes on the different plants, animals, and other things around them.

Genres: Mathematics, Africa, Picture Books, Childrens, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, exploration, learning about a place and some things and people in it, and a great journey to practice shapes.
Very good for very young readers.

[Jenny D]

Adaora and her cousin travel through their African village in search of a triangle. They identify many different shapes on their travel. Have students recreate the journey by looking for shapes in the classroom. As a whole class activity, work to identify as many geometric shapes as possible around the classroom. Then, break students into groups and assign them shapes. Have students cut out pictures from magazines, find pictures on the internet, search around school and home, or go on a nature walk to try to find their shape. If multiple searches are used, have them compare: are there more of their shape in school or in nature? Why do they think that is?

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, and it does illustrate a different culture then our own, but it is a single other culture. I have a hard time with this category, because it seems not to demonstrate the interaction of more then one culture if the book is just about a different place where things are different. Maybe international?

Anyway, this is an interesting shape book, all about where shapes can be found in the items common to a culture far away, and it includes information about the items and their use.

[Jenilyn Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for one of my kindergarten lessons about shapes. I had intended on going another direction with trying to find a different type of book, but I ended up really liking this one. I liked it because not only was it about shapes, but it talks about African culture as well and teaches some new vocabulary. So in one book, you can cover math, language arts/reading, and some diversity as well. The kids seemed to like it too.

[Carlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can use this book for a kindergarten lessons about shapes. I liked it because not only was it about shapes, but it talks about African culture as well and teaches some new vocabulary. So in one book, you can cover math, language arts/reading, and some diversity as well. The kids seemed to like it too.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in Great Britain, A Triangle for Adaora beautifully reflects community life in an African village. (The text is non-specific, but I think the setting is Nigeria, the author's homeland.) Using shapes as a vehicle, the text introduces a range of cultural elements for children to learn bout and make comparisons within their own cultural experiences.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's books. I love it when my preschooler wants to read it.
As a fan of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novels and short stories, it's great to see a few of the things that show up in her books in vivid pictures.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another integrated book that can be used within the classroom. It is set in African culture, but uses dialogue from children. The children talk about daily life and discuss shapes and how they are incorporated into their daily life.

[Jessica Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because not only was it about shapes, but it talks about African culture as well and teaches some new vocabulary. So in one book, you can cover math, language arts/reading, and some diversity as well.

[Cya]

African shape book.I would use to point out shapes in everyday life(connections). Also for a multi-cultural lesson to show how people live.

[Ashley Greenfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another excellent book to use with integrated curricula; this book could be utilized in math, language, and/or social studies lessons.

[Kelly Triplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book to use with integrated curricula; this book could be utilized in math, language, and/or social studies lessons.

[Lucy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and more shapes than I expected!

[Elizabeth]

I think I've yet to find a picturebook teaching shapes that I was really satisfied by. This one, however, does have a narrative framework (a child taking some responsibility for another child) and incorporates teaching about elements of Nigerian village culture along the way.