Friendshape

PreS-Gr 1—Never have circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles had such personality! Author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld's picture book has become a fully animated, joyfully scored video. Rosenthal narrates, but children voice the shapes, who bounce and wiggle adorably when they laugh. Their outlines give and bend, suggesting a wide range of movement, and their simple facial features move expressively. They wrinkle when they have a disagreement and straighten when it's over. In fact, the shapes never stop moving, and sound effects and upbeat whistling and woodwind music enhance the action. This production makes a charming title sparkle with life. It's heartwarming when the shapes form the word love and humorous when, as the credits roll, the shapes make amusing comments. Even parents will chuckle when Michael Bacon is credited for his music and one of the shapes says, "We're only two degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon!"