When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins [Hardcover]

Rhonda Gowler Greene (Author), James Kaczman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A line is thin. A line is narrow -- curved like a worm, straight as an arrow. Squares, circles, triangles, and many more shapes abound in this lively book. With jaunty, rhyming text, young readers are invited to find different shapes on each busy, vibrant page. Once you start looking for shapes, you won't be able to stop! The perfect book for little ones beginning to distinguish shapes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"In this clever and fun introduction to assorted shapes, Greene and Kaczman collaborate effectively, clearly expounding an oval, square or octagon through bouncy rhyme, familiar examples and clean-edged artwork," wrote PW. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. Ten shapes are presented in picture and verse. Along with the familiar circle, square, triangle, diamond, rectangle, octagon, and oval are the less frequent star, heart, and crescent. Each shape has its own verse and double-page spread packed with visual examples. There are even some extras for observant children to discover. The watercolor-and-ink illustrations are bold and clean, with ample color; however, a texturing technique occasionally results in a slightly murky appearance. At no time does this texturing obscure the text or interfere with line or shape. Those tired of bright primary colors in children's books may find the muting a nice change. A fine addition to units on shapes and a perky read-aloud.?Jody McCoy, Lakehill Preparatory School, Dallas, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395786061
• ISBN-13: 978-0395786062
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,117,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When a Line Bends...A Shape Begins, April 6, 2006

By 

Heather D. Mihalek (Washington, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins (Paperback)

I teach 3rd grade and purchased this book to introduce geometry. It really seems to interest the students. I had originally borrowed the book from a friend who teaches Learning Support, and she found it to be useful for introducing geometry.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from ultra, December 14, 1998

By 

Scout Stevenson (newton, ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins (Hardcover)

In an industy where hundreds of childrens books are introduced almost every month, this one impressively stands out among all the other casualties for content and especially illustration. This is a rare case where illustration style and story does not try to partonize parents and their children nor does it come across as an over-intellectualized wanna-be childrens book. I can't wait to have children so I can read and reread this book to them.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars book review, books about teaching art to kids, January 6, 2009

By 

L. M. Freda (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins (Paperback)

This book is lively and fun with great illustrations and wonderful rhyming words. I purchased it to help teach elementary school children about two of the elements of art: line and shape. It did the job very well and has so many examples in the course of the poetry that it is one of the books you can easily read over and over.