Circles

by David A. Adler, Edward Miller (Illustrations)

Wheels, clocks and coins. Balls and buttons. Circles are everywhere, and one of the basic geometric shapes. In a book bursting with color and cheer, students can learn the fundamental properties of circles. Terms such as sector, chord and arc are clearly defined. Hands-on activities demonstrate how to find the radium, diameter, and area of a circle. With this handy and lively guide kids can avoid spinning their wheels and get on the road to becoming geometry pros.

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, School, Stem, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son’s favorite shape is a circle, and my method for us picking out library books is solely based on the cover / it looking like a picture book; which I realize is not a great method. That being said, this book is probably best for kids who are at an age where they can pay attention to learn math and do a craft at the same time. I skipped a lot of the craft aspect because I didn’t feel like explaining to my son why we weren’t actually cutting and drawing on paper. The illustrations are beautiful and I do think it’s a great way to learn about circles but based on my assumption of what it was about, I’m giving it 3/5 stars ⭐️ is that fair? Maybe, maybe not. Anyway, would probably recommend to fellow nerd kids alike!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure, it's easy to recognize circles. We know the shape from wheels, clocksm and coins; balls and buttons.

But this book adds useful concepts. Clarity too.

For me, the most exciting concept was introduced on Page 14. Sectors!

Readers like me learn that if you draw a first radius within a circle,
And then you draw a second radius within that same circle,
you've got sectors.

First, you can look at the space between those two radii. Like a slice of pizza!

The smaller one is a minor sector. While the larger one is a major sector.

And how to quiz yourself on your understanding of this? David supplies us readers with a winsome handful of ladybugs.

FIVE STARS. I'm liking books written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Edward Miller.

[CarolineDearman RDNG4130 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about circles, all types–spheres, cylinders, and cones. It talks about all the different parts of a circle like its radius, diameter, and even things I'd never heard of like the chord of a circle. I shows real life examples too of each of these features of circles.

I did not like this book. I feel like I was reading a picture book that appears to be for kindergarteners but contains the information for a middle-school math class. I don't see where any student would want to read this for fun.

I think this book can only be used in an upper-level math class. It could be used as a lesson plan maybe for a lesson on circles or perhaps a review for a test.

[Elissa Genry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all about circles, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. It starts off simpler, discussing the radius and the diameter of a circle, and progressively talks about harder material such as tangent, circumference, and the formula for pi and for area.

I enjoyed this book because it was very informative, but the colors in the book really created a more fun atmosphere for the reader, so the reader was not super overwhelmed with too many words and information.

This book could be used in a classroom to teach about circles and to discuss the different formulas for a circle.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Adler who has written over 200 hundred books for children, was a former math teacher. Having loved geometry myself, I highly recommend this title as Adler’s definitions and how to find various measurements connected to a circle are perfect and easily understood. Edward Miller’s illustrations are simplistic and brightly colored making them easily understood. Recommended for the struggling geometry student and homeschoolers.

[Kristen Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Circles" by David A. Adler teaches young children all about the circles attributes. It talk about diameter, radius, circumference, and much more. It also teaches the children how to find these attributes and measure them.

This is a great book for children learning about shapes and their attributes. It would be great to read this to the class, and measure the attributes all together.

[Whole And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to practically understand all things circle : diameter, radius, circumference, chords, segments, sectors, arcs and pi. Short practice exercises included to solidify the learning. Very good for honing in on just circles.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Radius, diameter, pi, circumference...everything you every needed to know about how to measure a circle. Explained in terms that even an adult can understand!

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

great for older ones, I was hoping for preschool level book as was recommended

[Julia]

Unexpectedly complicated math about circles (everything from spheres to cords and tangents). Try again in like ... 10 years?

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out nice and introducing some mathematical concepts but ended with trying to teach pi. Got advanced quick. Might be helpful for more higher elementary students or even middle school.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of a series that teaches kids all sorts of complicated subjects in a way that is easy to understand. There is simpler language that is accompanied by illustrations that allow kids to have fun while they learn. Kids are taught the fundamental properties of circles and couples fun activities that facilitates active learning. Terms are clearly explained through thoughtful and clear definitions and pictures, which will allow a deepen of learning and will engage all sorts of learners. A must for any teacher or parent that is trying to teach the concept of circles.

[Launa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Math. This book takes a geometrical look at circles. The author does a great job explaining all the geometry terms, such as the differences in spheres, cones, and cylinders. This would be a great teaching tool for all grades.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geometry Picture Book – This book provides many classroom applications for grades 3-12. Adler and Miller do an excellent job of explaining circles and the specific vocabulary that gives the reader an understanding of the shape. The information begins with an overview of circular three dimensional figures: sphere (ball & earth), a cylinder, a cone; in addition to ovals and spirals. The author explores concepts of a circle: width, length, center, point, symmetry, diameter, radius, minor sector, major sector, chord, arc and tangent. He also teaches more depth concepts of the circle when he presents finding the circumference, the area, and pi. The cover of the book is very visually appealing. The colorful yet simple illustrations that Miller provides inside the book help the reader to comprehend the vocabulary and formulas relating to the circle. This not your usual informational picture book.

STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES & CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS:
1) Provides information on the geometric shape of the circle that will apply to grades 3-12.
2) Level of vocabulary and formulas used in the book apply to a wide range of learners.
3) Uses easily accessible items such as paper, pencil, ruler (English measurements, not metric), scissors, round dish, and can to give the reader hands on activities to do to create better understanding of the concepts.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I wish I had been able to use this book when I was completely baffled by geometry back in high school! In its pages, David Adler demystifies geometric concepts such as area, radius, and diameter in simple terms and with activities that demonstrate the concepts he has introduced. This hands-on approach is quite effective, especially since he incorporates real world examples of circles, spheres, cones, and cylinders, among others. The last pages list many useful objects that are circles. As he concludes, we really do "live in a world of circles" (p. 31). The digital artwork makes the circles and the math visually interesting, and the glossary insures that readers understand the terms that are introduced in the book's pages. If I'd had this book with me back in my younger days, I'd have understood this part of geometry much more clearly, something that never happened despite my best efforts. Clearly, I needed practical examples and hands-on experience with geometry. Teachers might want to consider adding this one to their library because of its simplicity and thoroughness. Of course, as is usual with this author, there are additional free materials and resources available online.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Adler has the happy ability to clearly explain math topics. In this book he explores the concept of circles. He defines circles, and shows things that are circular, but are not actually circles--cones, cylinders, spheres. Then he dives deeply into circles themselves and defines all of the elements any geometry teacher would want--radius, circumference, diameter, sectors, chords, segments, arvcs, and tangents. This is all accompanied by hands-on activities that clearly illustrate each point. Pi is explained, and various ways to reinforce the concept are introduced. A teacher could easily just walk students through the book, step-by-step, to cover all important factors. Bright illustrations by Edward Miller are vital in Adler's explanations. This is a terrific book that should be in every elementary school and, frankly, wouldn't be out of place at the middle schools.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit more advanced than the cover would have you believe - but very, very informative. The book covers the definition of a circle (and compares/contrasts with spheres, cones, ovals, and more) as well as all the major geometric components. It explains radius and diameter, but also chords and arcs in simple terms and gives lots of examples and even some exercises. It also covers circumference and area and gives a quick crash course on pi.
An excellent book for an early grade school student.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great! It's pretty advanced math for a picture book, but I don't think there's a single wasted word. Adler gets right to the point and very effectively illustrates those points. I learned about chords, which I don't remember ever learning about!

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool little book that breaks down circles -- definitely too advanced for preschoolers. But what I appreciate is that it's interested in precision. I've noticed preschool STEM just throws precision out the way. At least mention it, y'all.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and informative introduction.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about circles begins by explaining things that are round - like spheres, cylinders, cones and spirals - before defining and explaining circles.

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love geometry and this book is a great first start for the young mathematician.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belongs in nonfiction collections.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great text for all math classrooms that cover shapes and geometry....