All About Patterns (All About Noticing)
What’s inside...
Elizabeth Rusch’s nonfiction picture book invites children to become pattern detectives in their everyday lives. From stripes on a zebra to beats in a favorite song, readers discover how repeated designs appear in nature, art, architecture, music, and math. Cheerful, layered cut-paper illustrations by Elizabeth Goss encourage close looking, while lively, conversational text teaches the building blocks of pattern recognition and inspires kids to create patterns of their own.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which pattern in the book surprised you most and why?
How do patterns help animals stay safe or be seen?
Can you find a pattern right now in our home or neighborhood?
How does music use patterns you can hear but not see?
Tip: Role play these questions
Turn a walk into a pattern scavenger hunt.
Clap out simple rhythms together, then add complexity.
Create artwork using repeating shapes or colors.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Look closely at the world.
Explanation: Each spread asks readers to slow down and notice details.
Real-World Application: Better observation helps in science, safety, and art projects.
Example Lesson: Math is practical and beautiful.
Explanation: Spirals, stripes, and rhythms tie numbers to real objects.
Real-World Application: Children see value in learning math concepts at school.
Example Lesson: Creativity grows from patterns.
Explanation: The book invites kids to remix shapes, colors, and beats.
Real-World Application: Encourages original art, music, or Lego builds using repetition.
Example Lesson: Different cultures share pattern language.
Explanation: Quilts, mosaics, and textiles across the world use motifs.
Real-World Application: Fosters respect and curiosity toward diverse traditions.