A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book.
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Book Description
Best Value
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Michael Hall is the creator of the nationally best-selling picture book My Heart Is Like a Zoo, as well as the acclaimed Perfect Square. He is the co-owner and principal designer at Hall Kelley, Inc., and lives with his family in Minnesota.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Let the creativity flow as readers see what can become of a simple and very happy square.
April 10, 2011
Format:Hardcover
A square of construction paper and an endless stream of possibilities. From mountains to gardens, there's an unending supply of projects to be tried just by reading about the imagination of a simple square. And oh, the places you'll be transported all within the four sides of a square!
Not having read Michael Hall's previous book My Heart is Like a Zoo, I honestly had no idea what to expect when I picked this book up at ALA Midwinter a couple of months ago. I knew that everyone who had read his first book had absolutely raved about it, so I had high hopes. I certainly wasn't disappointed. This simple book that's based on the basic shape of a square leads to an imaginative series of things and places that will have kiddos not only excited for the next page of the book, but the next opportunity to try it out themselves. Perfect Square is a beautiful way to transport what you see on the page into minds of children and then into the projects they make with their own hands. Definitely a book for every home that children enter into!
Not having read Michael Hall's previous book My Heart is Like a Zoo, I honestly had no idea what to expect when I picked this book up at ALA Midwinter a couple of months ago. I knew that everyone who had read his first book had absolutely raved about it, so I had high hopes. I certainly wasn't disappointed. This simple book that's based on the basic shape of a square leads to an imaginative series of things and places that will have kiddos not only excited for the next page of the book, but the next opportunity to try it out themselves. Perfect Square is a beautiful way to transport what you see on the page into minds of children and then into the projects they make with their own hands. Definitely a book for every home that children enter into!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One square. Unlimited possibilities. One bright red square starts out perfectly happy. But then something happens. On Monday, the square gets cut up and punched with holes. Though no longer a perfect square, it transforms into something just as wonderful...a babbling, giggling, clapping fountain. On Tuesday, the square (now yellow), gets torn into pieces and turns into a garden. Each day of the week something different and extraordinary happens to the square and out of brokenness comes beauty. All the square's colorful adventures cleverly tie together into a perfect and inspiring story.
Colors, shapes, days of the week, but with a sophisticated theme that appeals to all ages, I can honestly say that this is one of the best books out this spring. With every page turn my kids wanted to know what was next for the ever changing square. And, inspired by the story, they wanted to have a try at transforming their own square. The book screams for a corresponding art project. I love how the story sort of comes around full circle, or rather, in this case, full square with a twist. The "rise to the occasion when forced to break out of your mold" message is probably, for the most part, lost on the youngest crowd but if you know a recent graduate, Hall's book with an adventurous, out of the box message, would make a thoughtful gift for all those ready to embark on a new path in life.
Colors, shapes, days of the week, but with a sophisticated theme that appeals to all ages, I can honestly say that this is one of the best books out this spring. With every page turn my kids wanted to know what was next for the ever changing square. And, inspired by the story, they wanted to have a try at transforming their own square. The book screams for a corresponding art project. I love how the story sort of comes around full circle, or rather, in this case, full square with a twist. The "rise to the occasion when forced to break out of your mold" message is probably, for the most part, lost on the youngest crowd but if you know a recent graduate, Hall's book with an adventurous, out of the box message, would make a thoughtful gift for all those ready to embark on a new path in life.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One perfect square is transformed over and over into a variety of creative pictures: a fountain, a park, a garden, and a mountain to name just a few of the transformations.
I ran across this book on a recent blogger hop. It was my "find" of the day.
This simple, yet beautiful book offers readers glimpse at art and inspiration. It inspires creativity with just a few simple changes. Hall's brief text allows the illustrations to tell most of the story. I especially like how the square reinvents itself rather than being transformed by a person or some other outside force.
Our school does not have an art program. I've set one of my goals for next year to include library lessons that will introduce the students to a bit of art. This book will be an excellent resource for an art project for Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Recommended for Preschool and up.
Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5!
I ran across this book on a recent blogger hop. It was my "find" of the day.
This simple, yet beautiful book offers readers glimpse at art and inspiration. It inspires creativity with just a few simple changes. Hall's brief text allows the illustrations to tell most of the story. I especially like how the square reinvents itself rather than being transformed by a person or some other outside force.
Our school does not have an art program. I've set one of my goals for next year to include library lessons that will introduce the students to a bit of art. This book will be an excellent resource for an art project for Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Recommended for Preschool and up.
Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Read Aloud
This book is great for library lessons. It's a quick but profound read aloud.
I'm reading this book with my kindergarten and first graders, and it's the perfect... Read more
I'm reading this book with my kindergarten and first graders, and it's the perfect... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Laura A. Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Class loved it!
I read this book to my kindergarten class today. At the end of the book my entire class erupted into spontaneous clapping and cheering for the book!!! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kari
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Book!
I read this book to my 3 and 4 year old preschoolers since we are learning about shapes. Wonderful book! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Megan Cummings
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Square
A red square gets cut up, so it transforms itself into a fountain, the scraps become a garden, changing colors, it becomes a park and keeps transforming until it is a square again,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Patricia H. Powell
5.0 out of 5 stars
What's not to like?!
A book to inspire any child, adult or artistically challenged person. The message is clear, the colors are appealing and my preschool students felt compelled to create their own... Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Masdeo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Four matching corners, four equal sides...
Trust me, Moms, your kids want to do this. Actually, older kids have great ideas for projects from this book -- it isn't just for little kids. Read more
Published 8 months ago by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely glorious picture book for opening children's minds, great...
It should be in every class and library in this country as well as lots of homes...and I simply can't believe the publisher is already letting it go out of print in its regular... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Gary
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creativity personified!
I love this book. Hall has created a masterpiece with this one. Everything about the book works beautifully. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Heidi Grange
4.0 out of 5 stars
A square transformed
A perfect square is transformed many times, but each time the square finds a way to find pleasure in its new shape. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Debnance at Readerbuzz
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read
This is a treasure and a must-buy. The illustrations are reminiscent of Eric Carle with vivid colors and multi-layer visual texture. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Young Mensan BookParade
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