Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Friendshape
Written By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrated By Tom Lichtenheld
Scholastic Press, 2015
Suitable for: ages 3 to 5
Theme/Topic: Friendship, concept: shapes
Opening Spread: The opening spread is the title page which introduces you quickly to the shapes.
First spread: What’s so great about having Friends?
[Triangle] We’re glad you asked!
[Rectangle] See, the great thing about friends is …
[Circle] Everything!
Brief synopsis: Friends shape who we are.
Resources: Cut out your own version of rectangle, circle, square, and triangle. A family can act out the story with the shapes featured in the book. Study the story and create images using your shapes. Use the story to discuss your favorite friendship qualities (and maybe the areas you need to work on in your day).
Why I Like This Book: Friendshape shapes (couldn’t resist) a sweet, simple message about friendships. The shapes carry the story from the jacket flap cover to The End. I also love that the endpapers are the four colors of the shapes.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
I’ll include these links of recent blog posts at other sites … you know in case you want to read another blog post.
Contest Win Left Me Feeling a Little Deflated
Quilling in Style with Stacy S. Jensen
There is an art in making concept books fun as well as informative and Amy has that skill!
I know. She has mad skills in this department. Many children (and their parents) benefit from those skills.
what fun! Art, math, and friendship all squoze together with some fun wordplay.
It really is a wonderful marriage of the shapes.
In true friendship fashion, I have to ask, which one are you? I feel like a square, but I like green!
I will be the triangle to your square. I’m a bit angled and like threes.
I’m always amazed at what new twists authors come up with. This is one of them. Clever!
Yes. This one really shows how a brilliant a book can be. It’s deceptively simple.
Amy and Tom’s books are tops on my bookshelf – always!
<3 <3 <3 this one – so clever!
Hmmm – guess the <3 heart emoji is feeling a little dejected in the comments. 😉
Hmm. In Friendshape… the shapes form the word love. I’ll keep that image.
I know they make a wonderful team.
It’s hip to be square!! (Couldn’t resist). A very sweet book!
Ha ha. I’m glad it is or I would be left out.
Me too, Stacy! We are hip. 🙂
This looks adorable.
On a related note, my wife often calls me a square.
It is a fun book Mike. A square is a good friend to be.
Thanks for telling me about this. I hadn’t heard of it. I will check it out.
Hope you find it Rosi. It’s a cute book.
Are there any jokes about fitting square pegs into round holes? And what about those of us who are more amoebic in shape? 😀 Looks like a sweet book. Cheers!
No jokes like that (but I have story with that joke in it – I’m so cliché. Hmm. Perhaps there will be a sequel for other shapes.
I Love anything Tom Lichtenheld and will put this on hold at my library. Thanks so much for this review. I think it is a great selection. 🙂
Hope you enjoy it.
Count me among the Lichtenheld and Rosenthal fans. I haven’t seen this one yet. You are always on top of the new titles. 🙂
I just stumbled across this one. That’s on “on top” I am. 🙂
Well that’s bad of me… I was sure I had left a comment and now I see I haven’t…. I am finally getting around to all my fav blog friends. this is super cool choice for PPBF, Stacy. Thanks for sharing.
I love the teamwork between Rosenthal and Lichtenheld. I haven’t seen this new concept book, but it certainly is another winner! Thanks for sharing.
Sorry, I’ve been gone for more than two weeks and missed many reviews. Hope to catch up.