The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid is a great read about the work and life of the renowned architect and designer. Author-illustrator Jeanette Winter guides readers on a journey exploring Hadid’s vision in her architecture, and introduces them to Hadid’s struggles and passion as she stays true to her creations – even when discrimination causes others to miss the beauty of her work.

The illustrations, colours and placement of the text all add to readers feeling immersed in Hadid’s experiences and vision. The simple sentences are placed in unorthodox positions, helping readers see regular forms in a different way. The illustrations show the meeting of nature and built structures aligned beside each other. This is an excellent way to see the connections between them.

The book connects to the Visual Arts curriculum for Grade 2 and up, serving as an example of how to create works of art that express feelings and ideas inspired by community or observations in nature, as a guide to use a variety of materials to respond to design challenges, and/or as a sample to identify and describe an art form they may see in their visual experiences (e.g., architecture). It also can be used to assist through STEM skills and connections by both describing and investigating practical applications of science and technology concepts and a way to address real-world problems. This book is also a great introduction to spatial sense in math, showing how Hadid explored and took on the challenge of recreating the shapes of nature in her architecture.guide to use a variety of materials to respond to design challenges, and/or as a sample to identify and describe an art form they may see in their visual experiences (e.g., architecture). It also can be used to assist through STEM skills and connections by both describing and investigating practical applications of science and technology concepts and a way to address real-world problems. This book is also a great introduction to spatial sense in math, showing how Hadid explored and took on the challenge of recreating the shapes of nature in her architecture.

The World is Not A Rectangle can be read at any grade level because of its many different messages and layers. From persevering and believing in our dreams to understanding how our roots help make us who we are, this book affirms the idea that children should believe in themselves, even when their ideas do not conform to the norm.

Barbara Myers is a member of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local.