The Shape of You

Starred review from July 17, 2023
Shapes become the vocabulary used to suggest a child’s experience of the world in this evocative picture book. From a rectangular door to a square kitchen table, geometric observations initiate the book’s conceit before text segues into subtlety with descriptions of the shapes made by light, thinking, wind, warmth, and more. Simple grammar yields philosophical meanings in Thi Van’s incantatory lines: “The shape of learning/ is a question.” Sato’s collages layer vibrant colors, textiles, and embroidery, successfully visualizing that which feels elusive. In one scene, a child and caregiver, who both cue as East Asian, snuggle beneath a blanket while reading: “The shape of a good story/ wraps around tight.” Another spread, responding to the notion that forms can change, presents a big and small hand clasping: “The shape of my fingers/ will always fit yours.” When a final shape centers love, it makes for a tender closing moment that encapsulates the story’s caring ethos. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from April 1, 2023
A picture book that invites readers to consider shapes of all kinds. A lively young child and a grown-up, both of whom present Asian, with beige skin and dark, wavy hair, experience their world in all its forms. Văn's simple yet evocative verse explores the shapes of tangible, concrete objects like the Earth ("a sphere"), the characters' front door ("a rectangle"), and their kitchen table ("a square") as well as the shapes of abstract concepts like thinking ("the shape of thinking is quiet"), friendship ("a dog"), and surprise ("best when it hides what's inside"). The author trusts young readers to understand such heady material. The grown-up is never far from the child's side, ready to answer a question or reassure but also encouraging the little one's curiosity. Sato's enchanting illustrations craft a recognizable world filled with crayons, toys, a lovable puppy, and more, all made from textured fabrics and other materials that, when sewn together, evoke warmth and love. Striking scenes, like a luminous rose sunset and deep space, with its dark, impenetrable purples, matter as much as a smaller yet equally powerful moment of sadness that leads to a reassuring cuddle. The closeness between the characters enables the child to grow and learn and change--as the book closes, both are confident that "The shape of my love will always be you." (This book was reviewed digitally.) Destined to become a classic. (Picture book. 3-6)

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November 17, 2023

PreS-K-Shapes are everywhere, from the huge expanse of the round earth to the small cube of ice in a glass of water. But while some shapes are predictable and obvious, others are more subjective, like the shape of the wind or the shape of love. But no matter what kind of shape something takes, or whether it changes or stays the same over time, it is an important component of the boundless universe. Throughout this picture book, shapes are presented to readers in a lyrical, poetic way, and rather than explaining every shape directly, the narrative often leaves space for interpretation and discussion. Paper collage-style illustrations layering fabric and other textures depict a child and a caregiver interacting together in several contexts in a safe environment that is just the right size for them. Children and their caregivers reading this book will delight in the possibility and wonder that emerge from the page in each moment, especially as they search for secrets and fill in the voids intentionally designed to inspire deeper reflection. The text itself is beautiful to both read aloud and to hear, but it is secondary to the illustrations due to its overall brevity and the small size of the font. Together, however, the images and the words flow beautifully, creating a memorable story to share with a loved one. VERDICT This thoughtful book incorporates early math concepts into a tale of the love and beauty that exist between a child and their caregiveres.-Mary R. Lanni

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