If your library includes Kindergarten Readiness as a goal, then an important concept to cover is shapes. Plus, it is fun! There are both stories as well as concept books on shapes that even toddlers will enjoy. Two simple craft ideas: make Owl paperbag puppets using a triangle for the beak, circles for eyes, and rectangles for wings, or make a train engine out of shapes using a rectangle for the main portion, an upside down triangle for the spout, a square for the window, etc. Or try ideas found on Everythingpreschool.
Emberley, Ed. THE WING ON A FLEA. Using a rhyming verse and bright paper cutouts on black backgrounds, this charming book shows the basic shapes and where they may occur.
Serfozo, Mary. THERE’S A SQUARE. Another simple but charming rhyming story about shapes, this shows shapes as stick figure people.
Greene, Rhonda. WHEN A LINE BENDS … A SHAPE BEGINS. More details on what makes a shape are featured in this rhyming tale. The engaging illustrations include many of the shapes that kids can look for.
Carle, Eric. THE SECRET BIRTHDAY MESSAGE. Die cut pages feature shapes that lead the reader to a surprise in this clever story.
Henkes, Kevin. CIRCLE DOGS. Blocks of color take on characteristics of different common items in this imaginative story.
Micklethwait, Lucy. I SPY SHAPES IN ART. Works of modern art are used to demonstrate various shapes.
Rikys, Bodel. RED BEAR’S FUN WITH SHAPES. Even toddlers will grasp the concept of shapes in this sweet story of a bear who finds shapes in the house and outside in nature.