Squares & Other Shapes

Squares & Other Shapes with Josef Albers (Phaidon) HB RRP $14.95 

ISBN 9780714872551

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

Focused on Albers’ modern series Homage to the Square, the second book in the First Concepts with Fine Artists series, Squares & Other Shapes, introduces young readers to shapes. From wobbly rectangles to sunny side up squares and bouncing circles, the most basic shapes are highlighted within Albers’ modern masterpieces.

Seeing various types of shapes in different formats creates a unique learning opportunity for the youngest readers. Squares sit within squares, circles come in many colours and sizes and triangles are oblong as well as flattened to reinforce the concepts of shapes. In addition, the back page with facts about Josef Albers life allows adults to expand on the lesson with information about the artist and his art.

These early concept board books are the first two in the First Concepts with Fine Artists series from Phaidon featuring famous artists and their art. It’s fantastic to see beautiful artwork re-imagined in a context suitable for the youngest eyes and in a way that helps them take their first steps into the art world. The next title in the series entitled Birds & Other Animals with Pablo Picasso will be published in Spring 2017.