[The aim of the book] is to acquaint children in exciting and stimulating way with some of principle concepts of geometry, to teach them how to find bearings in simple geometrical situations and to discern geometrical patterns in the world around them.

In this post we will be looking at a book from which I have many fond memories. This book is titled Lets Play Geometry by L. N. Shevrin and V. G. Zhitomirsky. The book is written in the style of A Book About Stars and Planets which we have seen already.

The back cover of the book says:

Through fascinating stories and rhymes, young readers are introduced to some elementary geometry. The book is made up of adventures which bring in the theory, and some exercises to develop the topics. It is written in a simple and attractive language, and is particularly well-suited to 5-8-year olds

The book is intended for children and to be read to them by an adult. The activities “hands-on” and “minds-on” that are suggested in the book are amazing. I had a copies of this book in English and Marathi, and also know that there is a Hindi translation. I do not know if there are other translations in Indian languages.

The book was translated from the Russian by Alexander Repyev and was first published by Mir in 1985. Thanks for Gordon to bring this copy to my notice and all credits to gnv64 for the book.

You can get the book here.

Update: Added Internet Archive Link | 04 December 2015

TO PARENTS and Grandparents and the Adults Who Will Read This Book to Children

1. This book is designed for children from 6 to 8 years old, but it might be of interest both to five year olds and to older primary school pupils.
2. The book can be used in any of the following ways: family reading, group reading in infant schools, and recreational reading in lower junior schools.
3. The book is no-study book. It does not provide a systematic and complete introduction to Geometry. Its aim is to acquaint children in exciting and stimulating way with some of principle concepts of geometry, to teach them how to find bearings in simple geometrical situations and to discern geometrical patterns in the world around them.
4. Despite its “easiness”, the book contains fundamental scientific facts. Therefore using the book calls for active involvement on part of adults. At times it may be necessary to expand on those points that appear to be difficult, and to comment on drawings and pictures emphasizing some details.
5. Since the book contains many new ideas and facts, it should be read step by step and the “dosage” should be reasonably graded. Granted the reading “doses” are substantially dependent on the individual ability of the child, but according to our experience a daily session should not be longer than 30-40 minutes (especially with group readings).
6. Each term for a new concept, when it first appears in the text, is printed in red. It would pay to stop in those places, concentrating on the new term, repeating it several times, checking and rechecking the response. It does not matter if a child has not remembered all the new words and definitions at once. What is more important is that he or she listen attentively and understand.
7. It is a good practice to begin each session with recapitulation: recall the previous events and the definitions of the earlier concepts.
8. The tasks and the worksheets are important. They will make for a deeper understanding of the mathematical contents of the book and development of some practical skills with geometrical figures. Children should not overlook these questions and exercises.
9. Some of the exercises are far more difficult than those inserted into the body of the text. Some even introduce new concepts. It is up to the instructor to decide whether or not the student can handle them and they should not insist on carrying out the exercises in strict succession, especially if this will generate “adverse emotions” in the students.
10. Your sessions will require coloured pencils, paper, a ruler, a pair of scissors, a pair of compasses, a set-square, sticks, and some Plasticine. All these should be prepared beforehand and used as required.
11. With group reading, some sort of competition could be stimulated (who will be the first to answer a question, or handle a task), or discussions conducted, and so on. Such possibilities are not to be overlooked!
12. Enjoy the book!

Authors,

Moscow 1984

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