The Shape of My Heart by Mark Sperring and Alys Paterson is the perfect book to share with children. The book is filled with brightly coloured shapes that you can find all around you. Once you start trying to spot them you won’t be able to stop!
There are shapes that chirp and tweet, shapes that you might like to eat, shapes that pass us by every day and the shapes of our eyes, mouths, toes, hands and eyes.
And finally…
this is the shape I love you with. This is the shape of my heart.
The Shape of My Heart
would make a lovely gift from a parent or grandparent to a child and the heart theme makes it an ideal gift for Valentine’s Day. Did you know that February 14th is International Book Giving Day, a day dedicated to getting as many new, used and borrowed books into the hands of as many children as possible? Follow the links to read more about International Book Giving Day or to pledge your support.
When we read the story we spent a long time pointing out different shapes, shapes we know, shapes that are new and the colours in the book too. It is a great book for playing ‘I-Spy’ with! This was the first time I think I had ever talked at length to Burt about the shapes of our day and the hundreds or even thousands of shapes we see all the time that we never stop to notice. It was interesting to find out which shapes appeared in his day, what was important to him. It gave me some insight into his view of the world, which I constantly have to remind myself is different to my own perspective.
Talk about
The Shape of My Heart is an enjoyable book to turn the pages of and simply talk about what you can see but it can also be a fantastic springboard for exploring shape and colour. You could then go onto look at the human body and find out about internal organs, particularly the heart.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- What is a shape?
- What shapes do you know?
- What shapes do you see every day?
- What are your favourite shapes?
- Where is your heart?
- Does your heart really look like a heart shape?
- How do we know what our hearts look like?
- What does your heart sound like?
- How can you make your heart beat faster?
- Where does love come from? Does it come from the heart or do you think it comes from other things or other places?
Crafts and activities for kids
The Shape of My Heart inspired us to do some heart-shaped printing and we also looked at the shape of ourselves in our Silhouette Heart Picture featured on Red Ted Art.
Have a look at the Pinterest Board full of crafts and activities for kids…
Or take a look at these activities to accompany reading the book:
- Read and Create The Shape of My Heart Shape Walk
- Damson Lane for Red Ted Art Silhouette Heart Picture
- Red Ted Art 25 Valentine’s Day Heart Craft Ideas
- Libraryland The Shape of My Heart felt board / flannel board
- Pink Oddy Your Hand In Mine Craft
- Science Sparks Valentines Science Activities
- Kids Chaos Hand Hearts
- Domestic Goddesque Heart Tarts
What have you been reading this week?
That looks like a lovely book. My daughter would love to look at all of the different colours and shapes.
Mummy of Two recently posted…After school activities
Lovely
There are quite a few books like this, I’ve kept all my favourites from my own children’s pre school years.
TwinsplusTwo recently posted…“Wiggling” the Wires
What a gorgeous book! When both of my two were in the EYFS they went on shape hunts around school - I remember it being the highlight of the week for both of them
Jenny from Cheetahs In My Shoes and Just Photos By Me recently posted…Ulnar Nerve Transposition Recovery - 1 Year On
It is a great activity to make shape ‘real’ for children. I’m glad your children enjoy doing them too.
What a gorgeous book, the illustrations look great and I love the sentiment behind it. Thank you for sharing
globalmouse recently posted…Landmark Trust – The Old Parsonage, Iffley, Oxford
What a lovely book; this sounds beautiful and one I think I will have to buy now!
Mummy Glitzer recently posted…Wednesday Words
There are some really wonderful children’s books and I like this one for it’s bright colours. Making a note of this one.
Sam recently posted…Elsa Beskow - pretty little books
This book looks lovely! Another great one I had not heard of before.
Linked up my latest book post too
anna recently posted…Orion Early Reader: The Little Nut Tree
What a gorgeous book! I LOVE your craft too. x
Emma recently posted…Living Arrows 4/52
Thank you Emma
What beautiful illustrations, thank you for sharing this. I’m going to check out book giving day now too
SeasiderClare recently posted…#TeamHonkRelay heading to Norwich!
Looks like a lovely bright, engaging book. Love the craft idea too. Thanks for sharing.
Emily recently posted…Making hemp milk at home (recipe and review)
Thanks for the link love. Love the look of that book- the shape I love you with?- *sobs!
Domestic Goddesque recently posted…Fairtrade Banana Date Flapjacks
*passes tissues*
I didn’t know about International Book Giving Day! Since it’s on Valentine’s this would indeed be perfect!
Liz Burton recently posted…Muddy Puddles
What an amazing book, I need to look into this International Book Giving Day
Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…National Puzzle Day #Giveaway {Ends 14/02/14}
Amazing book amazing colours!
otilia recently posted…Middle-Eastern Cooking with the Family
Emily says
Great review. A brilliant recommendation for Valentine’s Day - and any time in fact! Can’t wait to read it with my boys. Thanks!
Sounds like a lovely book - I especially like the illustrations. They’re amazing. I’ll look out for this one as I think my little boy would like to read it too.
Healthier Mummy recently posted…7 tips for a healthier work-life balance for parents – and the chance to win tickets to the Work & Family Show
Sounds like the sort of book Aaron would simply love. x
Liska recently posted…My 3 Year Old Boy Loves Books
We love this book and have read it many times. it’s so colourful and great and looking at different senses, a perfect gift for valentines day x
Lori recently posted…ARE YOU WILD ENOUGH? // PROJECT WILD THING
Thank you for pointing that out as we haven’t explored that at all! I love books that just keep on giving x
This book sounds beautiful…the shape I love you with, has me all covered in goosebumps.
VaiChin recently posted…Gravity Defying Builds
Oh this is so lovely and thought provoking. I love your questions - particularly no. 10 X
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer recently posted…Laptop Love.
This sounds like a lovely book, and the illustrations are wonderful. The questions and crafts are a fantastic accompaniment. I do wonder where young children thing love comes from x
Vicky recently posted…Lets Talk About Pets: which pet is best for you and your family? - small mammals
Alys Paterson says
Wow, what a lovely review! So happy you enjoyed the book and that it sparked off a conversation about shapes…and love! It’s music to my ears! X
Thank you so much for commenting Alys we really love the book and your illustrations have real meaning to my little one x
What a sweet little book - I love it The illustrations are beautiful. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…JUST EAT: Review
I definitely recommend it, especially for younger children.
Love the bright colours… some of kids books come with pastel illustrations which are not so good
Agata Pokutycka recently posted…How to get paid for your opinions
Interesting read and i love the craft acitivities too.
Helen recently posted…Happy 1st Birthday Peakle Pie!
Oh loving the look of this book!! Would be ideal for my little one!
Foz recently posted…How NOT to bake brownies
What a beautiful book! I think the last page might get my tears going though, I can’t read ‘guess how much I love you’ either! Whoever knew kids books were so emotional?!
Such an cute book. I’ll have to pick it up!
Paul H recently posted…The Acer Z120. Nice phone, shame about the bugs!
I love your choice of books Kirsty, I’ve added an older child’s book this week because it’s brand new and I think teens and preteens are going to love it. I hope that’s ok?
Mari recently posted…Penguin’s Childrens books and Half Bad by Sally Green
Absolutely wonderful, thanks Mari x
I’ve not heard of this before but it sounds like such a great book for toddlers. Wonderful timing too for Valentine’s!
Actually Mummy… recently posted…Giveaway: Gorgeous bespoke girls tutu party dress from Dainty Dizzy
what a lovely post - and thank you for featuring KidsChaos hand hearts xx