Perfect Square

Michael Hall (2011), 40 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

There once was a red square who was perfectly happy with his “four matching corners and four equal sides.” However, during the week this perfect square is altered and transformed. Each day something new has happened to him. On Monday is was punched with holes, on Tuesday torn into scraps, Wednesday shredded, Thursday shattered, Friday snipped, Saturday crumpled and ripped … yet each time he transforms into something new and picturesque. This unexpected journey is so much fun … and full of surprises. Graphic designer, Michael Hall makes minimalism sing; combining simple shapes and a few choice words Hall’s pictures brings form and color to life. His storyline is clever and sharp and the cumulative text is almost Eric Carle-esc. Children are treated to an array of shapes, a rainbow of colors, and an imaginative premise … by the book’s end they’ll be both entertained and inspired! A great read-aloud book for parents and educators. Take advantage of this book's creative premise and offer preschoolers a fun follow up craft where they can make their own square designs (learn motor skills) and narrate its transformation (practice narrative ability); integrating these types of early development skills is essential for building pre-reading skills in children 0-4.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Press Here by Hervé Tullet, Shadow by Suzy Lee, or It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw

Other books by this author: My Heart is Like a Zoo