Nathali Kengne

Title: Shapes in Transportation

Author and Illustrator: Rozines Roy and Gregory Roy

Recommended Grade Level: K - 1

Common Core Standards Addressed: CCSS K.G

Identify and describe shapes (squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, cubes, cones, cylinders, and spheres).


1. Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

2. Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.


3. Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, “flat”) or three-dimensional (“solid”).

Analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes.

4. Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts (e.g., number of sides and vertices/“corners”) and other attributes (e.g., having sides of equal length).


5. Model shapes in the world by building shapes from components (e.g., sticks and clay balls) and drawing shapes.

Summary: This book is about seeing shapes in real life while on a road trip to visit friends who live in the city. So, while travelling by car, they look for shapes along the way such as at the end of the street was a stop sign, which is an octagon. A shape with eight sides.  They noticed the speed limit sign which is a rectangle with four sides. A whole bridge which has a shape of a trapezoid. A school bus parked at the school, the size of a truck, the railroad crossing until they made it in their friend’s apartment building in good time and in good shape!

Rating *****: I give a five star to this book because This book can be used to teach Geometry in a fun way. It promotes recognition of shapes on road, street signs, bridges, and buildings. It stimulates critical thinking and provides an understanding of math in real world. Also how shapes are used outside of the classroom.  The images are very engaging and the display shows real pictures. The content can be applied to meet the need of all children learning abilities.

Classroom Ideas: For kindergarten students, this book can be used to foster vocabulary acquisition through an activity called what’s my shape. The students will develop oral descriptions of shapes based on properties by naming shapes and their attributes (Straight or curved sides, number of sides, right angles, and so on). Another activity will be to shape hunt. Students will find items in the classroom that have same shapes attributes or at home and bring in to school. For Art, students might use shapes to create a train, paper boat. Students might sort shapes to develop ways that two Dimensional of shapes are alike and different. Finally, students might build shapes using straws, wooden blocks or building blocks.