What Is a Triangle? (Harper Growing Tree) [Paperback]

Maria Ferrari (Author), Rebecca Kai Dotlich (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Harper Growing Tree

Your 2 1/2-year-old is starting to recognize patterns and shapes in a complex visual world.

Tips for reading and sharing:

Help your child trace the edges of the triangles on each page and count the sides out loud

Encourage your child to find other triangular shapes at home

Make it fun! Point out different shapes on signs, vehicles, and buildings around your neighborhood

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Like its companions, What Is Round and What Is Square (both HarperCollins, 1999), this book features a rhyming text ac-companied by colorful photos of common objects set against bright backgrounds. The roof of a house made with blocks, a wedge of cheese, and a toy boat's sail are clear examples of triangles for toddlers. Issues arise, though, when pizza slices with curved edges, a birthday hat, and an ice-cream cone are also presented as triangles. While all of these shapes can be considered "triangular," they are not, in fact, triangles. Young children who learn to call them all triangles will have some unlearning to do when they begin to study geometry. Better to give them blocks to hold as they learn the names of shapes than a book that is not mathematically sound.
Ellen Heath, Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 2-4. This colorful book from the Growing Tree series introduces young children to triangles, not by explaining what they are, but by showing examples in clear, colorful photographs and naming them in the short, rhyming text. Among the objects shown, which are generally familiar to the young, are a sandwich cut into triangular quarters, a piece of candy corn, an ice cream cone, a cat's ear, a turnover, a musician's triangle, a slice of pizza. Of course, many of these items aren't technically triangles at all, but that's pretty typical of books for preschoolers on shapes. However, those who feel that fuzzy math (okay, fuzzy geometry) is good enough for young children will be pleased with the book, as it is quite good in every other way. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: HarperFestival (August 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0694013927
• ISBN-13: 978-0694013920
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,460,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing concept book, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: What Is a Triangle? (Harper Growing Tree) (Paperback)

By far, this is the most delightful, intriguing concept book that has come along in a long time. A perfect rhyming pattern coupled with creative objects and fantastic photographs make this book a winner for toddlers learning the basic concept of what a triangle is.

5.0 out of 5 stars Three times the fun!, December 14, 2000

By 

Diane Z. Shore (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Is a Triangle? (Harper Growing Tree) (Paperback)

Colorful photographs,recognizable objects and rhythmic verse combine for a three way winner in this delightful concept book guaranteed to put the FUN in fundamental learning. The toddler "I SPY" at the end is a special bonus. A must for any preschooler's library.