Multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen conspire again on a slyly funny tale about some very sneaky shapes.
Meet Triangle. He is going to play a sneaky trick on his friend, Square. Or so Triangle thinks. . . . With this first tale in a new trilogy, partners in crime Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen will have readers wondering just who they can trust in a richly imagined world of shapes. Visually stunning and full of wry humor, here is a perfectly paced treat that could come only from the minds of two of today’s most irreverent — and talented — picture book creators.
Review by Tanaya Lowden
This slyly funny picture book about some very sneaky shapes had me laughing within the first three pages. It’s clever, with fun and quirky characters, and strong, captivating illustrations.
In Triangle, Triangle is about to play a sneaky trick on his friend, Square. Or so he thinks! This tale will have little ones wondering who they can trust in this richly imagined world of shapes.
Triangle is visually stunning, with a different kind of colour palette than usually seen in picture books. It made for a unique reading experience, and is definitely something to look forward to in the last two books in this picture book trilogy. Not only will your little ones learn about trust, but they’ll also get a lesson in shapes and sizes as they follow Triangle on his journey to trick Square.
From the bestselling author/illustrator duo that is Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, Triangle is a must read for your little ones.
About the Author
Mac Barnett is the author of several books for children, including Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen, a Caldecott Honor Book and winner of a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, a Caldecott Honor Book and winner of the E. B. White Read Aloud Award. He is the co-author, with Jory John, of the New York Times best-selling series The Terrible Two. Mac Barnett lives in California.
About the Illustrator
Jon Klassen is the author-illustrator of I Want My Hat Back, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book; This Is Not My Hat, winner of the Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal; and We Found a Hat. He is also the illustrator of two Caldecott Honor Books, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn, both written by Mac Barnett. Jon Klassen lives in Los Angeles.
Industry Reviews
Picture-book lovers will find much to like in Triangle (Walker), the latest collaboration between Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, and the first in their new trilogy. Klassen's spattered mint-green, bark-brown and rust-pink shapes impart depth and humour to this story of friends Triangle and Square's practical joke feud - and Square's valiant attempt at styling it out when things backfire. * The Guardian *
"The images are deceptively simple; the characters inhabit a world of triangles, squares and the "shapes with no names". Each is rendered beautifully. As with Klassen's solo work, the eyes reveal everything about the characters, bring two basic shapes-on-legs to life." * Irish Times Weekend *
It's what you would expect from this pairing and then just a touch more genius. If you're not already aware of their work, we suggest you rectify that immediately. Filled with original storylines, uncomplicated but meaningful text, a discernible humour and instantly recognisable artwork, there's everything to appreciate about their work.[...] A story with a perfectly simple premise executed to perfection in the only way Barnett and Klassen know how. * Picture Books Blogger *
"Mac Barnett's wily story and Jon Klassen's eyes-tell-all illustrations make Triangle a really fun read-aloud for preschoolers, early elementary kids, and their adults." * Boing Boing *
"Klassen's restrained earthy palette and minimalist scenes (those eloquent eyes again), are in perfect harmony with Barnett's even sparer, deadpan text allowing readers to step into the narrative landscape and fill for themselves, the host of gaps left by the book's genius creators. Prankish play or something more sinister? I come down on the side of the former. This book is the first of a planned trilogy from this formidable team: I eagerly anticipate the next one ... and the next." * Red Reading Hub *
