Love, Triangle

Circle and Square are best buddies: "Circle admired Square for all his good points," writes Colleen (the Super Happy Party Bears series). "Square loved that his best friend really knew how to rock and roll." But soon after Triangle arrives on the scene, Circle and Square are ditching each other and vying for his attention. "I'm suddenly craving pizza," says Circle, gazing at Triangle like a fan boy and waving away Square's offer of grilled cheese. Square and Circle may be plane figures, but the plaintiveness of their jealously and sense of abandonment is something any kid will recognize. The emotional sting is made tolerable thanks to the happy marriage of funny (and almost nonstop) geometric wordplay ("Circle and Square's friendship was bent out of shape") and Shea's freewheeling cartooning. The story does lose its way at the climax, though, as Circle and Square (somehow) pull Triangle apart while fighting over him and (somehow) put him back together with a bit of research and a catapult. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Susan Hawk, Bent Agency. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 2--Circle and Square's close friendship of many years hits a snag when a new student joins their class; neither is ready for the addition or the change in their relationship. Cheery, orange, "bold and exciting" Triangle creates a wedge between the two pals. It's difficult for either to avoid his magnetic energy and new ideas--a craving for pizza or a bit of reading about the shape of boat sails, mountains, and the Egyptian pyramids. Within a short period of time, "everything seemed to become triangular." Strategic placement of eyes or glasses with squiggly lines on cartooneish faces within simple geometric shapes highlight a range of emotions for each personality as jealousies arise to a crisis point. While art emphasizes the geometric differences between the friends and their shapes, text adds humor through wordplay: "Everything became pointless"; "Square tried a different angle"; and their "friendship took on a shape of its own." VERDICT A cautionary tale for young readers, this book gives new insight into developing relationships while bringing new acquaintances into a friendship circle. A solid general purchase for all libraries.--Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX