Trace to Ace: Shapes
This is the first in what I hope will become a series – one which combines the art of drawing, Chinese and other subjects. This particular book focuses on recognising and counting shapes. It is perfect to help young learners become more familiar with shapes, colours, numbers, counting, Chinese, Social Studies and more. Children can learn how to draw by tracing over the shapes that make up the different illustrations in the book (many of which are Caribbean-theme, by the way). In this way, without even realising it, they will become familiar with a technique that many professional artists use when producing artwork – reducing images to basic shapes. The book also includes sections which deal specifically with Chinese. Teachers need not feel intimidated by this. There is ample information in the introductory sections to help them feel more comfortable about helping their students start exploring Mandarin in a fun way.