WHAT IS A TRIANGLE?

Young children discover triangles in the unlikeliest places in this latest addition to Dotlich’s shape book series (What is Round, What is Square, 1999, etc.). Short, playful verses list the multitude of everyday objects that are shaped like a triangle. “A bright folded napkin, / a teddy bear’s nose, / the part of a hanger that wears your clothes.” Dotlich focuses on familiar, kid-pleasing items, from pizza slices to paper planes. Effectively combining the obvious with the subtle, such as pairing a block with a tree or a sail with a segmented kite, she simultaneously introduces the basic shape for beginners while expanding the concept of triangles for older learners. Ferrari’s vibrant photographs feature clean compositions, clearly focusing on the items mentioned in the accompanying verse. The full-bleed, painted backgrounds, ranging from bright fuchsia to lime green, form a vivid backdrop for the photos, with visible brush strokes in the paintings adding some texture to the pages. The final two-page spread offers readers an opportunity to test their skills and locate the triangles among the buttons, balls, blocks, and a myriad of other small objects scattered across the pages. Once again, Dotlich and Ferrari make learning about shapes a colorful, fun experience for the littlest reader. (Picture book. 2-6)