MTH 116: Geometric Shapes in Picture Books: Analysis Tools

The basic components of analysis to consider:

• What are the names given to shapes? 

• What is the language used to describe shapes?

• How are shapes depicted or constructed (ex: are geometric shapes that must contain right angles shown with rounded corners, such as musical triangles?)

• What are the definitions provided for shapes? Are accurate geometric terms used to describe shapes? (ex: when a square is not included as examples of a rectangle, children miss out on understanding what a square and rectangle actually are and how to define them.)

• Are there examples provided?

• Does the book text or image confuse 2-D shapes for 3-D objects? (ex: is a door really a rectangle, or is it shaped like a rectangle because we can trace four

• What is the orientation of shapes? (especially triangles). Most shapes are presented horizontally, making it difficult for children to recognize the same shape if its orientation has been modified. 

• Is there inclusion of non-mathematical shapes (hearts, stars, diamonds, cones, etc) in a book trying to teach geometrical shapes?

• Is there a poor variety of shapes? Usually shape books only show circles, squares, triangles and rectangles, making the family of geometric shapes not diverse or comprehensive, which could be “dumbing down” by limiting the variety of geometric shapes.

Grid created by Teri Holford, 2019, Creative Commons