cover image Wednesday

Wednesday

Anne Bertier, trans. from the French by Claudia Z. Bedrick. Enchanted Lion (Consortium, dist.), $17.95 (48p) ISBN 978-1-59270-152-0

Starring a vivid orange circle and a crisp-edged blue square, French artist Bertier’s meditation on geometrical shapes has a timeless feel. The book’s design and printing, in pure hues on creamy matte pages, make it a pleasing object in and of itself. Little Round and Big Square meet every Wednesday to play. “Butterfly!” cries Big Square, dividing itself into two triangles to create a bowtie-like insect. “I’m a butterfly, too!” cries Little Round, showing off its own semicircular “wings.” After a minor disagreement (“You’re showing off. I’m not playing anymore”), the two discover that the game is even better when they cooperate: “We’re a hat, a boat, a bowl! This is so great!” Whether the square is contributing sections of itself for a boat’s sail or the handles of a bowl, the contrast between orange and blue makes every page pop. Cheery, upbeat writing and pared-down subject matter make it a fine choice for a younger audience, who will enjoy picking out the forms in each spread—and then, perhaps, experimenting on their own with paper and scissors. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)