Starred review from August 2, 2021
Using hand-painted paper to create brilliantly hued, shape-based forms that appear against a clean white backdrop, Higgins (Bikes for Sale) economically examines ways to observe color, shape, pattern, and position. On the opening spread, two true statements describe a berry’s position relative to a shape. On the spread’s verso, the berry of the title—a red diamond with a green stem—is suspended precisely above a yellow circle. On the recto, a second berry appears over a green square. “Circle under berry,” the first line reads; “berry over square,” states the second. A page turn builds on the concept, presenting four objects stacked in a vertical line and words that convey both position and differing elements (shape, color, or object) of each—“circle over berry/ under orange/ over square.” Soon, the elements begin to vary between shapes, colors, and animals (a frog, a guppy, a pig), drawing readers’ attention while achieving real grace as the items resolve into origami-like forms. Via “a stack of shapes” that “can make you think/ and wonder what you see,” Higgins offers seeds of conversations about naming and classification. Ages 2–4. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Ruben Pfeffer Content.
Starred review from August 1, 2021
Nine basic shapes in vivid shifting colors are stacked on pages in various permutations. This visually striking and carefully assembled collection of shapes, which seems to have been inspired by an Eric Carle aesthetic, invites young children to put their observation, categorization, problem-solving, color, and spatial-relation skills to work, pondering shapes and compositions--and even learning about prepositions in the process. As the text says, "a stack of shapes can make you think and wonder what you see." First, readers see a circle under a strawberry (the red diamond with a leafy, green top and yellow-triangle seeds) and then that berry over a green square. The orange oval made to look like a fish is added to a stack of three shapes to become "yellow over diamond under guppy over green." And so on. The metamorphosis of many of these simple shapes into animals (a yellow circle becomes a lion; a green square, a frog; a pink heart, a pig; a yellow diamond, a chicken) will surprise and delight children. Questions are directed at readers: Is a square with two round eyes and semicircle feet a "frog or square or green?" Why, all of the above! The text possesses a pleasing rhythm and subtle rhymes, positively begging to be read aloud: "circle next to berry / square by bear by sweet // blue up high / pig down low / yellow in between." (This book was reviewed digitally.) Satisfying, engaging, and sure to entertain the toddlers at whom it is aimed. (Picture book. 2-4)
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September 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 Higgins' striking exploration of shapes, colors, and patterns features minimal (sometimes rhyming) text paired with simple shapes and objects emphasizing their relative placement. For example: ""circle over berry / under orange / over square"" is depicted by an orange oval on top of a yellow circle on top of a strawberry on top of a green square. Arranged in patterned stanzas, the first two lines provide simple comparisons (""yellow under diamond / diamond over green"") followed by a more complex spread that introduces a new item (""yellow over diamond / under guppy / over green""). Vocabulary is limited at first, with additional positions, colors, objects, and the occasional question appearing later. The artwork is particularly distinctive, comprised of brightly hued, stylized shapes and objects created from cut-and-collaged, hand-painted papers digitally assembled on white backgrounds. Illustrations are usually centered on each page, only occasionally veering off, as does a grasshopper hopping away. With largely predictable text this makes an appealing choice for emerging readers; the emphasis on prepositions will aid English language learners as well.
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September 17, 2021
PreS-K-This artful concept book for toddlers and early preschoolers delves into shape, color, pattern, and vocabulary, all set within the context of spatial reasoning. Each spread features a series of vibrant shapes hand-painted and digitally collaged on a white background-a technique that feels reminiscent of the signature illustrative style of Eric Carle. With its rapid-fire introduction of abstract concepts-"Yellow under diamond/ diamond over green/ yellow over diamond/ under guppy/ over green"- the aims of this work are lofty and largely miss the pedagogical mark. Its vague patterning may be too subtle for even the most precocious preschoolers. Combined with arbitrary pairings, e.g., "octagon this/ rectangle that/ emerald left/ goldenrod right," and an unusual vocabulary, this elevated attempt at concept exploration is confusing. VERDICT Despite vibrant art, this book lacks a focus on one or two concepts to build spatial recognition with obvious patterns. Not recommended.-Sarah Simpson, Westerville P.L., OH
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2021
On the verso of the first crisp spread in this deceptively simple concept book, a yellow circle sits below a red diamond capped with green and speckled with three small seed-like yellow diamonds; in short, "circle under berry." On the recto, a similar diamond-berry rests atop a vivid green square: "berry over square." Rearranged on the next page (with an orange oval added at the top), they become: "circle over berry / under orange / over square." Shuffled again later, that oval morphs into a guppy, and the berry becomes simply a diamond once again. Each ensuing spread introduces and rearranges shapes and colors to create a whimsical game of perception and classification. An octagon becomes an octopus, a trapezoid a dragonfly; true to the book's word, the "pieces make a puzzle full of colors / shapes / and words." Like Ehlert's explorative Color Zoo (1989), this book opens the door for children to engage with color, geometry, and prepositions, too, just for good measure. And how could they resist, with a rhythmic text that makes use of such lush language; why look for yellow, green, and pink when you could find goldenrod, emerald, and magenta? A triumph of design and a beacon of possibility. Grace McKinney
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2021
On the verso of the first crisp spread in this deceptively simple concept book, a yellow circle sits below a red diamond capped with green and speckled with three small seed-like yellow diamonds; in short, "circle under berry." On the recto, a similar diamond-berry rests atop a vivid green square: "berry over square." Rearranged on the next page (with an orange oval added at the top), they become: "circle over berry / under orange / over square." Shuffled again later, that oval morphs into a guppy, and the berry becomes simply a diamond once again. Each ensuing spread introduces and rearranges shapes and colors to create a whimsical game of perception and classification. An octagon becomes an octopus, a trapezoid a dragonfly; true to the book's word, the "pieces make a puzzle full of colors / shapes / and words." Like Ehlert's explorative Color Zoo (1989), this book opens the door for children to engage with color, geometry, and prepositions, too, just for good measure. And how could they resist, with a rhythmic text that makes use of such lush language; why look for yellow, green, and pink when you could find goldenrod, emerald, and magenta? A triumph of design and a beacon of possibility.
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)