El ala de la polilla

by Ed Emberley

He aquí una divertida
manera de descubrir que
un triángulo es así
▲
un rectángulo es así
▭
y un círculo es así
●

Aunque a veces también tienen
otros aspectos.

El mundo está lleno de formas y figuras.
Mira a tu alrededor. ¿No las ves?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

47 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

American artist and illustrator, best known for children's picture books.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text adds to the fun in this instructive book about shapes. It looks a little dated by today's standards, but Emberley's fans will enjoy his intricate artwork.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read the 2001 remake that Emberley did of this book, The Wing on a Flea: A Book about Shapes, and in doing so I found that this original 1961 version is much longer with entirely different text and illustrations. While I prefer the vibrant illustration style of the 2001 version, the pictures here have their own charm. And I find the text flows much better here than in 2001.

This version has enough spark to earn an extra star over the 2001 take.

[Tara Thieleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory book about 3 shapes for toddlers. Cute 60’s style line drawn illustrations and a fun rhyme scheme for adults who are reading aloud to children. Seems like it would make a great song.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In April 2010, I reviewed the reissued version of The Wing on a Flea by Ed Emberley. That's the 1988 reissue with completely new illustrations and edited text. While interning at Holy Names I came across the 1961 version, a book that is more in keeping with how I remember Emberley's books being.

The Wing on a Flea (original) introduces children to basic shapes: triangles, circles, squares and rectangles. Except for the red cover, the only colors inside are white, black, blue and green. Mostly it's black line drawings on white paper with a few highlighted shapes or areas done in either blue or green.

For me, Ed Emberley means how to draw books, all of which use basic shapes to build complex shapes. The Wing on a Flea does the same thing by showing many different things that use triangles, circles, squares and rectangles. Each shape has a dozen or so examples, all woven together artistically and poetically.

The 1961 version is by far the superior of the two versions. It's beautiful to look at and delightful to read. The examples are interesting with just enough complexity to inspire young readers to draw their own illustrations of triangles, circles, squares and rectangles.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

They just brought this into the bookstore. I LOVED Ed Emberley drawing books growing up. This is a clever shape book and the illustrations are really unique.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous concept book about shapes.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una simpática manera para que los lectores más pequeños practiquen sus primeras lecturas y, simultáneamente, jueguen con las formas geométricas básicas.

[Susan Eubank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite nature-centric for our "Shapes in Nature" story-time, but a great book for a broader audience.