My First...... (My First Book of Shapes - Peter Patilla)

Member Name: tb4ms

Product:	My First Book of Shapes - Peter Patilla
Date:	30/01/09 (128 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Introduces a range of shapes to young children.

Disadvantages: Not the most exciting of books

This is one of a series of early years non-fiction books published by the Oxford University Press, aimed at anywhere from 3 years upwards.

- Content and Format -

There are 12 double page spreads, within which the following shapes are introduced:
Squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, hearts, diamonds, stars, ovals, semi-circles, pentagons and hexagons.

Each shape is given a double page spread. On the left hand page the shape is shown in many different sizes and orientations and the right hand page has drawings of two children, a girl and a boy, using objects of that shape whilst playing or looking at everyday objects e.g. they are posting rectangular envelopes, eating triangular pieces of pizza whilst putting up triangular bunting etc.

The final double page is made up of all the shapes that have been shown in the book and includes a question to the reader; 'Can you name these shapes?'
A good quiz for the end of the book, to assess what the children have absorbed and learned.

- My opinion -

Given the bounty of children's books relating to shapes that are on the market at the moment, this one is certainly not the most exciting.
It has no pop up or lift-the-flap opportunities which usually always holds children's interest a little more and makes the experience more enjoyable.

Whilst it introduces a wide variety of shapes, the illustrations are a little dated in comparison to the more recent publications and it's age (published in 1998) is showing a little.

Nonetheless, for a basic book that you want to use to introduce children to shapes around us, then it isn't bad at all. It does what it intends 'to help children recognise and name different shapes'.

- Price -

My copy is a hardcover, ISBN: 0-19-910482-4 and was originally £5.99 but is currently available from amazon for £1.03.

- Other books in the series -

My first ....
~ alphabet book
~ counting book
~ book of colours
~ book of time
~ book of opposites

- Verdict -

I first bought this book in the late 90s and I still use it today with younger children, alongside the more recent, brightly coloured publications.
As stated earlier, it certainly does what is intended and is a good, basic introduction to 2D shapes for children.

Summary: A good basic introduction to 2D shapes for children but there are better recent publications.