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Math is NOT Dry and Boring
What is the Shape of My Ears? follows a miniature horse and a miniature donkey as they discuss how the shape of their ears and find similar shapes around their farm home. What was the inspiration for your story?
What a great question!
In other words, why Pearl? Why Duke? Truth be told, I have a host of critters to choose from!
I knew prior to writing the storyline, it would be a challenge to explain the meaning of triangle, starting with the term angle.
With this in mind, I needed a character who is clever, someone who could “think outside the box” to break down the meaning of triangle then apply it in ways that make sense to early math learners.
Pearl—hands down—landed the part!
Duke, her faithful sidekick, may not be the perfect student, but he’s willing to follow Pearl’s lead.
Minus grazing!
Your stories focus on math concepts, a subject that not all children are excited about. What is about math that excites you and makes you want to write books for children on this subject?
Safe to say, I understand why many people across age groups find math to be dry, boring, and often question its relevance. However, I truly enjoyed math stemming back to my elementary years, and I enjoyed teaching it. I tutored starting in high school well into my first year of college. However, across domains, geometry was the one area that I did not enjoy. Oddly enough, this became a focus in my research program as a graduate student—not geometry per se but (in part) the challenges that US students often face in learning geometric concepts from an early age. As a new venture in my academic career, I decided to shift gears so to speak and apply what I learned in my research (and the work of others). As is the case with many children’s books on mathematical learning, the goal is to engage children: give them reason to believe that math can be fun, and how it is so much a part of our everyday lives. In the words of Silkie and Pearl, you just need “to look closely.”
The art in this book is fantastic and draws the readers in, making the math concepts less intimidating. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Gabriela Vega?
Unlike writing an article for an academic journal, there are many challenges to writing a children’s book, particularly for a debut, self-publishing author. The learning curve is nothing short of steep! That said, I credit Gabriela for our accomplishments with the series—What Is the Shape of My Egg? 15 honorable mentions and awards to date!
She is incredibly talented in addition to her outstanding work ethic and willingness to take on challenges.
Do you have more adventures and learning experiences planned for the Farm Friends? If so, what can young readers look forward to in the future?
We do! What Is the Shape of My House? is set to be published for 2025. This final book of the Shape Friends series focuses on squares and rectangles. Fern, a Nigerian dwarf goat, is the main character. I will be posting updates on my website by year end. A supplemental activity book that will feature all of the characters in the series is a possibility as well.
Author Links: Website
A horse’s ears?
A cat’s ears?
If you’re thinking triangle, that’s correct!
BUT … there are all sorts of triangles.
Triangles can be long, short, skinny, fat—even stubby!
In What Is the Shape of My Ears?, the second title in the Shape Stories with Farm Friends series, children are introduced to the properties of triangles. The storyline stars Pearl (a clever miniature donkey) and her sidekick Duke (a humble miniature horse) who questions why ears―whether long or short―can still be the same shape. Together, the “Minis” explore the basic elements of triangles and learn that when you look closely, you find triangular shapes are EVERYWHERE!
What is the Shape of My Ears?
Learning to recognize triangles is a crucial milestone in children’s development, enhancing spatial perception and introducing fundamental mathematical concepts. Lisa M. Weckbacher’s What is the Shape of My Ears? addresses this beautifully through the engaging story of Pearl the miniature donkey and Duke the miniature horse. Over breakfast, these farm friends discuss their responsibilities in keeping the farm safe by listening for predators, a task at which Pearl excels. Duke believes Pearl’s success is due to the shape of her ears, prompting a conversation about the differences in their ear shapes and leading to an exploration of triangles, their angles, and their identification in the environment.
Weckbacher’s storytelling provides an excellent framework for explaining geometric concepts. Her clear and engaging narrative is complemented by charming illustrations that reinforce the roles of lines and points, making the learning process enjoyable. Set on a picturesque farm with a variety of animals, the story remains captivating through the characters’ humorous observations and their learning journey.
The friendly interaction between Pearl and Duke, marked by mutual respect and eagerness to learn, sets a positive example for young readers. The book also includes additional sections for parents and teachers, offering tips on explaining different types of triangles and distinguishing between triangles and pyramids, making it a comprehensive educational resource. One notable aspect is the introduction of new vocabulary, which may be challenging for some children. However, these terms are well-explained and visually represented, aiding understanding. Weckbacher’s meticulous attention to detail enriches readers with insights into spatial thinking and the significance of ear positions in donkeys. This thoughtful approach makes What is the Shape of My Ears? an ideal book for fostering a love for both reading and mathematics.
What is the Shape of My Ears?, by Lisa M. Weckbacher, is a delightful and educational story that will captivate young readers. Its blend of engaging narrative, charming illustrations, and clear explanations makes it an excellent resource for parents and educators. This book is perfect for children who are beginning to explore geometric concepts and for anyone looking to instill a love of learning and curiosity about the world around them.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0D4HLM54V
Properties Of Shapes
What Is the Shape of My Egg? invites children on an enchanting voyage with Silkie the chicken, unraveling the mysteries of geometry through farmyard adventures, empowering lessons, and endearing camaraderie. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration was actually quite simple. For some time, I have wanted to write children’s stories, but the question was about what? With a little help, I narrowed down my ideas to 1) my love for animals, namely my pets (though many), and 2) what I have learned as an educational researcher, particularly in the areas of mathematical learning and spatial abilities. I will say that integrating the two was no easy task. To date, my publications have involved a completely different style of writing—academic writing. So this book, and the others to follow, was nothing short of a challenge!
The focus on geometric shapes is tied to a recent study with my University of California colleagues. In brief, we explored differences in geometric shape knowledge between a sample of U.S. and Japanese children. Though there are a number of learning points to share, the one implication from the study is that communication about the properties of shapes matters as far as learning outcomes (i.e., above and beyond visual recognition of shapes alone). In other words, though children from an early age can readily identify a circle, do they actually know or can they verbalize the properties of circles (e.g., curved, round, no straight sides, no edges, no points, no beginning or end)?
Can you share any insights into the development process of the interactive exercises in the book, and how they are designed to help children embrace their developing geometric understanding?
The goal is to apply what children have learned in the aftermath of reading the book, ideally with an adult to help promote accurate learning and opportunity to talk about shapes. The shape hunt is merely one approach.
From a developmental perspective, tapping into multiple modalities to learn facilitates learning. With the shape hunt, children should be encouraged to look for, listen (as an adult provides direction as needed), and touch (e.g., trace) various objects that are the shape of a sphere or an ovoid. In addition, “spatial talk” (i.e., use of words such as left, right, above, below, far, and near) should also be encouraged. Spatial talk relates to the way we think about numbers (e.g., smallest to largest) as well as our ability to visualize mathematical information (e.g., properties of 2D and 3D geometric shapes). Taken together, I consider early exploration of shapes and space as a foundation for more advanced geometric concepts that will be introduced in later years.
You included insightful facts about the Silkie chicken breed in the book; was this a personal interest of yours, or was it chosen to add another layer of engagement with the story?
A very personal interest! As shared in the book, Silkie the chicken is a real-life character. For those who are familiar with the breed, it is so true that these chickens are delightful little critters. They make for wonderful pets—both inside and outside the home! I added Silkie chicken facts for those who are not familiar with the breed. So yes, it can be considered another layer of engagement, an added educational component to the book.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
What Is the Shape of My Ears? is the second title in the Shape Stories with Farm Friends Series. It will be available via pre-order November-December 2023. The main character is Pearl (a mini donkey), also a real-life character! In this storyline, Pearl teaches her sidekick Duke (a mini horse) about the properties of triangles. What Is the Shape of My House?, the third and final title, should be available spring 2024 along with a supplemental shape activity book for children roughly 3-5 years of age.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
EDUCATION and STEM
Discover the world of geometry with Silkie and the Sisters in What Is the Shape of My Egg? – the first delightful installment in the Shape Stories with Farm Friends Series.
This beautifully illustrated and engaging tale introduces young readers to the world of circles and ovals while incorporating essential spatial language (e.g., left, right, up, down) to boost their spatial thinking skills. Designed for interactive read-aloud sessions, children will be encouraged to explore and trace similar shapes at home or in the classroom, reinforcing their understanding of these fundamental geometric concepts.
As the adventure unfolds, What Is the Shape of My Egg? seamlessly transitions to a deeper exploration of two and three-dimensional circular shapes, providing interactive activities for kids to apply their newfound knowledge. The book also includes fascinating facts about the endearing Silkie chicken breed, adding an extra layer of fun and curiosity to the reading experience.
Based on real-life farm animals residing in Western Montana, the vivid illustrations and lively text capture the unique personalities of Silkie and the Sisters in this entertaining and educational read – perfect for young minds eager to explore the world of shapes!
What Is the Shape of My Egg?
What Is the Shape of My Egg? by Lisa Weckbacher is a charming and educational book inviting readers to embark on an enlightening journey alongside the endearing Silkie and her sisters. Silkie’s jubilation over her newfound egg-laying achievement initiates a voyage of self-discovery as her sisters Henrietta, Dreeka, and Dottie unveil the distinction between circles and ovals—a captivating exploration that ultimately imparts invaluable lessons.
Weckbacher artfully constructs a narrative that harmoniously intertwines a captivating storyline with fundamental lessons in farm animal familiarity and geometrical comprehension. The book’s narrative casts a spotlight on circles and ovals, supplemented by the integration of spatial vocabulary. The narrative seamlessly segues into an understanding of two and three-dimensional circular shapes, reinforced by interactive exercises that empower young minds to embrace their developing geometric understanding.
This children’s book is a literary gem tailored for collaborative read-aloud sessions. The synchrony between narrative and visual aids is fantastic. Gabriela Vega’s brilliant illustrations, resplendent with the allure of the farm setting, give young readers a tangible connection to the narrative’s context and characters. Weckbacher also includes insightful facts about the Silkie chicken breed, a charming embellishment that encourages young minds to enjoy the pursuit of knowledge.
Beyond its educational underpinnings, What Is the Shape of My Egg? is a story of camaraderie, cooperation, and empathy, courtesy of Silkie and her sisters’ encouraging interactions. The narrative conveys the significance of lending a helping hand and collaborating, imparting vital social lessons to its young audience.
What Is the Shape of My Egg? is an exceptional picture book that will ignite children’s curiosity, inspiring inquiries about the intricacies of their surroundings. This children’s book will enliven classroom discussion on geometric principles. I heartily recommended it to parents and educators alike.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0C16PFL9F
LITERARY TITAN 