Line Leads the Way

Shapes vie for a chance to guard an unspecified treasure in this alliterative introduction to geometry. An announcement sets the scene (“WANTED/ NEW TREASURE KEEPER”), prompting a variety of forms to answer the call, each exhibiting its own mode of travel (“Square strutted in equally spaced steps”). Line’s journey proves less than straightforward as the character gets all knotted up. At the audition, a creaturely librarian listens as the hopefuls explain why their attributes suit them for the role. Despite taunts from fellow applicants, the book’s title presages Line’s triumph, which Purdie Salas leavens with a winning twist about the value of imperfection. Caldarella’s colorful naif renderings give the story’s shapely characters clown-like features and playful accessories. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)