We Are the Shapes

Puns propel this quarrelsome story about a circle’s efforts to improve the antagonistic relationship between triangles and squares. Relying equally on geometry and typecasting, wry narration presents squares as “even,” “honest,” and “reliable” and triangles as “odd,” “edgy” and “creative.” While three-sided polygons embrace “different” as “fun,” their four-sided rivals think “different is odd.” Along comes circle—a figure that quintessentially doesn’t “have sides.” Circle’s optimism offers a welcome respite from the other shapes’ argumentative dialogue, and while initial efforts to get the lot to “roll with their differences” fall flat, a clever conclusion demonstrates the round character’s skill at “turning things around.” Set against blank white backdrops, spare drawings animate the shapely subjects with basic facial features and expressive brows. While punning provides occasional humor, the manufactured conflict infuses this geometric tale with a lingering negativity. Ages 4–6. (Sept.)