Author(s): Catherine Ross Sheldrick
Format: Hardback
No. of Pages: 192
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Language: English
Date Published: 2014-10-01
Dimensions: 241 x 272 x 20.32mm
Publication City/Country: Ontario, Canada
Edition: New
Illustrations: Illustrations, unspecified

The three books in the popular Shapes in Math, Science and Nature series, Squares, Triangles and Circles, are now available in one amazing compilation. The design has been refreshed, and the text by Catherine Sheldrick Ross has been lightly updated. What makes the compilation so unique and just plain interesting is how many topics it manages to cover for each of these three most basic shapes. For example, squares are explored not just in terms of what they are, how they are drawn and their geometry equations, which are all described in-depth, but also through ancient legends that feature squares, language expressions that use the word square (?back to square one?), illusions done with squares, city grids designed with squares and famous city centers that are squares (think Red Square in Moscow). There are also numerous ideas for hands-on-learning activities ---projects, puzzles, experiments --- that relate the text to everyday life.

The imaginative artwork by award-winning illustrator Bill Slavin manages to clearly convey the sometimes difficult concepts in the text, while keeping the visuals fun and humorous enough to hold the interest of young readers. It's easy to see why the books in this compilation have been perennial favorites with educators. It includes engaging, well-written, interactive content that helps make geometry and measurement concepts graspable and even enjoyable, while also offering opportunities for lessons on a range of subjects from science, technology and engineering to social studies, art, and architecture. There is an extensive table of contents, glossary, and index for reference.