Title: Seeing Symmetry
Author/Illustrator: Loreen Leedy
Publication Info: Holiday House, 2012
Intended audience: Grades 1-3 (NOTE: Meets Common Core math standards for Grade 4.)
Genre: nonfiction picture book
Themes/topics: math
Opening and synopsis:
“Butterfly wings have it. Triceratops had it. The word MOM has it.When you know what to look for, it’s easy to start…seeing symmetry.”
Symmetry is all around us: on our bodies and in plants, animals, the alphabet, art and more. Leedy’s dynamic illustrations make it easy for students to “see symmetry” on the page and in their world. Check out her book trailer:
Why I like this book: Symmetry is a math concept you have to see to believe. Leedy’s images clearly show both line and rotational symmetry and help students understand key concepts like “line of symmetry” and “asymmetrical.” Her backmatter is extensive and includes notes, activities, a glossary and an explanation of why symmetry is something students should know.
Resources: Seeing Symmetry includes two activities in the backmatter. There are instructions for making a Symme-TREE by folding paper in half and drawing a tree along the fold line. Students can cut out and decorate their tree for an example of line symmetry. She also has instructions for making a paint blot picture by putting blobs of paint on a sheet of paper. Children fold the paper in half one way and then the other to complete the picture. Leedy also has a wealth of resources (many free) on her TeachersPayTeachers Web site.
Every Friday bloggers review “Perfect Picture Books.” Find a complete list of book reviews organized by topic, genre and blogger at author Susanna Leonard Hill’s site.
Kirsten W. Larson 
This looks awesome, Kirsten! And the cover reminds me of the William Blake poem – Tiger tiger burning bright… – which mentions symmetry. I love these very visual depictions of concepts. Thanks so much for adding this one!
Ok, I’m having flashbacks to my college English literature survey class. 🙂 This is a fantastic book. While it’s over Cooper’s head, he loves looking at the illustrations.
Ooh a 2012 and so rich in art and math. You found a great one, Kirsten.
Loreen Leedy is a master. I love pretty much everything she’s done.
Kirsten, this looks great! You could really have some fun with all things symmetrical, and not! Thanks for adding to the list!
A2Z Mommy and What’s In Between
Wow, I love this book! Sounds like a concept book. What a great way to teach kids about summetry! The video was a lot of fun to watch. And your activities are wonderful!
Nice choice.
I’m glad you think so Pat. I’m behind on PPBF, but I can’t wait to see what you’ve posted.
This book sounds fantastic… thanks for sharing! I love things to be symmetrical, and yet somehow I never thought of it as being a mathematical principle! I learn so much from your blog posts.
I never thought symmetry was a mathematical concept either, but I’m finding that art and math are so closely related…
I agree. This book is wonderful! I reviewed it too and compiled a folder of extension ideas on Pinterest. Thanks for your review.
Feel free to share the link to your board (can you do that?). So far I’ve avoided Pinterest as I would be on there all day long. But I am SO tempted.
Enjoyed this as I enjoy art. Reminds me of my student art days. thanks Kirsten, Lovely choice.
I’m glad you enjoyed. I can’t wait to see what you were up to for PPBF. We’ve been out of town, so I’m just catching up.
We have been playing with butterfly wing symmetry. Tree symmetry sounds fun too. thanks for the introduction to this book.
The activities look fun and simple to do even if you don’t have the book. I’m looking forward to making some SYMME-TREEs too.
You find some amazing concept books, Kirsten! I too thought of Blake’s poem, like Susanna!
You two are just revealing what culturally literate ladies you are.
I always was (and still am) a fan of symmetry. I like the cute trailer! 🙂
I’m sure you are past symmetry in school, but perhaps your sister would enjoy the book, Erik. The activities are fun.
This book looks really interesting…and great to integrate into the classroom! Thanks for sharing…
It would be wonderful to integrate into a 4th-grade math lesson. Thanks for stopping by, Kerry!
Great choice, Kirsten! I love when things balance…so I love the concepts in this book. The resource/activities look like fun…wonderful book for a class project, I think. 🙂
I think teachers could have a lot of fun with this one, especially since activities are included and many more are available online.