Box Meets Circle

April 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 1-When Circle meets Box, the two shapes decide to hang out. Unfortunately, the new friends find that it is impossible for them to share certain activities. Circle wants to jump "up and down and all around," but Box is not able to join in. He suggests more sedentary activities like sitting. However, Circle cannot sit. Is the relationship doomed? The friends put their heads together and find a way they can play together. Hartline, a Pixar Animation Studio artist, draws simple graphic doodles that are cute and expressive. VERDICT A slight but appealing story that shows the value of working out differences and finding common ground. A solid read-aloud or read-alone for most collections-Susan Small, Salve Regina University Library, Newport, RI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2018
Can a box and a circle really be friends?When a circle and a box decide to play, their different colors (blue and yellow, in a likely ode to the classic Leo Lionni selection) are not a factor, nor are their genders (unstated), but their different shapes and dimensions do present a bit of a conundrum. The simplified, animated illustrations are the focus here, and the minimal text appears in a bouncy, sans serif type color-coded blue for Box and yellow for Circle. "We should do something together," says Box. Circle suggests they jump--and is wildly successful at big and little hops in different directions--but Box can't do it without falling flat. Perhaps they can simply sit (here, Box showcases its special talent), though this doesn't work so well for Circle, who has a tendency to roll away. Is there a way to find a solution so they can work together and enjoy doing what they each are good at? Itself the result of a partnership between Pixar Animation Studios and Disney Worldwide Publishing, this upbeat selection provides a natural tie-in to math lessons regarding 2-D and 3-D shapes, presents difference as a positive, and offers hints for conflict resolution. A spirited take on shapes, compromise, and friendship. (Picture book. 3-6)

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January 1, 2019
The Pixar animator's simple story involves Circle and Box, who want to "do something together." Circle jumps, but Box can only sit; Circle tries to sit but rolls away. After nearly ending the story prematurely ("'The end?' 'This can't be the end'"), they combine their singular talents. Hartline gives an impressive amount of expression to his smiley-faced, stick-limbed sphere and cube.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)