WINGS, WAVES & WEBS

An introduction to patterns, as seen in nature.

Starting with spots and stripes, this book walks young readers through a variety of patterns they can find in the world outside. Though the concepts build in sophistication (exploring ideas such as radial symmetry) and the narration even dips into more abstract topics (a spread about the pattern of ocean waves notes that sound and light waves are invisible), the text is always clear and concise. With each spread devoted to a pattern type, the prose defines the pattern and explains why some occur in nature (e.g., the mirror symmetry of a butterfly’s wings help it fly, while “snugly-tiled hexagons” make a honeycomb a “safe and sturdy” home for honeybees). The illustrated examples of each pattern type (mostly isolated images on solid backgrounds) are just as accessible as the text. Simple and bright, the artwork pleases the eye as much as it invites young readers to try their hands at copying patterns in their own drawings. The end result is a thoroughly grounded introduction that takes readers a step beyond shape recognition. The final spread depicts a cheerful nature scene and encourages readers to identify as many patterns as they can. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A surefire way to get children excited about observing their world.