So I'm always looking for good books on simple concepts for kids. Colors, patterns, textures . . . you name it. An arsenal of decent concept books ensures that we generally have something for parents and teachers in need. Now anyone can create a book of colors. A lot of people do. And some of them are surprisingly bad at it. I've seen books on color concepts where the viewer would be hard pressed to find the particular color discussed on the page. Most are merely decent additions to the field.
So imagine my delight to encounter Jane Brocket's Ruby Violet Lime: Looking for Color. Bright and vivid photographic images of fruits, vegetables, architecture and food bring colors to life in appealing and engaging fashion. Each page offers a range of photographs that demonstrate the different shades of a particular color. The author introduces the primary colors first, then the secondary, then black and white and the metallic colors. Each color is described with a set of adjectives, and a description of the range of shades that falls under its domain. The pictures make you want to reach out and touch, taste and smell them, they're so vivid and appealing. It's a great way to start a discussion of color with great visual examples.
Already delighted with this book I looked up the author and discovered she also had published Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What is Texture? Like her color book, this is chock full of bright and inviting images with a simple discussion of different textures a person might find and how they feel. Now, the color book is marvelous, but there are plenty out there. Texture books? Usually the only texture books are those board books with touchable panels. Yet Ms. Brocket successfully pulls off a book on texture that will be perfect for discussions with my son with no "touchable" panels. There aren't many effective texture concept books out there, and this one is a welcome addition.
Writing up this piece about my new find, I checked the author on Amazon. Lo and behold, there's another book coming in 2012. Spotty Stripy, Swirly: What are Patterns?
This clearly follows the format of her two previous books in this nonfiction concept series, and I can't wait to see it. As a librarian I always feel frustrated when a teacher needs "books on patterns". Most authors don't create pattern concept books. They're hard to find. I'm making sure this book finds it's way onto my shelves! And my kids' shelves as well!
Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad
We are the music-makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams.
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Jane Brocket's Clever Concepts
These books are all Common Core Aligned
Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for ColorPage Count: 31
Lexile: AD640L
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| This is an oversized book, so an entire page doesn't quite fit on my scanner. |
Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture?Page Count: 30
Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What Are Patterns?
Page Count: 32
Lexile: AD640L
Lexile: AD750L
1 Cookie, 2 Chairs, 3 Pears: Numbers Everywhere
Cold, Crunchy, Colorful, Using Our Senses
updated March 2014
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