Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s The Shape Trilogy (Triangle, Square, Circle) books have been written as self-contained stories, but they do link together. In the stories packed with humor and unique illustrations, the shapes are familiar to everyone, but nothing really tells what their personalities are going to actually be like. As you read the stories it unfolds how the characters are differentiated by very simple traits and you are able to come know the each of the shapes. The striking simplicity in their illustrations, humorous, thoughtful offerings that emphasize the importance of keeping your eyes and mind open to wonder where others see only rubble and rocks.
This invitation was pretty simple to be in alignment with the imagery of the books. On a piece of poster board or butcher paper you can draw the three shapes with a black marker. Provide your child(ren) with an array rocks in a tinker tray. After reading the stories invite your child(ren) to recreate the characters with loose parts.
Invitations such as this give opportunities to work on spatial awareness. As they manipulate the loose parts to fit inside the shapes they are enhancing their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and shape recognition.