SO MANY CIRCLES, SO MANY SQUARES

Hoban’s wordless concept book of circles and squares is graced with thrilling full-color photographs but marred by a small, rude gesture in one picture. Most of the objects pictured are of familiar man-made objects, and most come with an urban flavor—manhole covers, construction blinkers, shop windows, storm sewer grates. Some of the photographs are quite funny—one shows a couple of kids with boxes on their heads; other photos have the quality of found objects—the back of a garbage truck, a side view of an airport luggage carrier. The caveat: A shot of traffic lights and a “One Way” sign includes a small poster of the symbol known as “the finger.” Perhaps only city children will notice; aside from that, this is a tidy book, and one that puts across Hoban’s undeviating message to look, and see. (Picture book. 3-7)