{"product_id":"square-isbn-9780763696078","title":"Square","description":"\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart of the Shapes Trilogy, the books that inspired Shape Island from Apple TV+\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe beguiling second entry in the innovative shape trilogy by multi-award-winning, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is about Square. Square spends every day taking blocks from a pile below the ground to a pile above the ground. This book is also about Square’s friend Circle. Circle thinks Square is an artistic genius. But is he really? With the second story in a trilogy of tales about Triangle, Square, and Circle, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen nudge readers toward a more well-rounded way of looking at things. Understated and striking in its simplicity, this funny, thoughtful offering from two of today’s most talented picture-book creators emphasizes the importance of keeping your eyes — and your mind — open to wonder where others see only rubble and rocks.Square’s efforts to please are equal parts hilarious and cringeworthy, and the moment he topples over in exhaustion is \u003cb\u003ecomic gold\u003c\/b\u003e. The story’s decidedly ambiguous conclusion leaves the door open for questions about what it means to be an artist—and that’s the whole point.\u003cbr\u003e—Publishers Weekly (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book takes \u003cb\u003ea sweeter turn from its prankish predecessor\u003c\/b\u003e in that Square works hard to create something for Circle, only to feel like he failed; but when Circle sees what he created, she is “beguiled” once more by his genius. Though this title will stand alone, children familiar with Triangle might recognize the extra layer of humor at the end when an unnamed narrator poses a game-changer of a question. \u003cb\u003eA must purchase\u003c\/b\u003e that will satisfy old fans and create new ones.\u003cbr\u003e—School Library Journal (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunny and lightly philosophical\u003c\/b\u003e, Barnett’s story gets an extra punch of hilarity with Klassen’s minimalist graphite-and-watercolor artwork. A must for Triangle fans that will leave them wondering how this geometric drama will end.\u003cbr\u003e—Booklist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith typically deceptive minimalism Klassen places a few flat, blocky shapes on the white pages to suggest the physical landscape, angling Square's body and glance to convey the emotional one. \u003cb\u003eHumor is in the details\u003c\/b\u003e: a bit of twig that catches on harried Square's head and stays there; the shadow that appears beneath Circle as she floats along through the air. For all its brevity, chockablock with philosophical topics to ponder and debate.\u003cbr\u003e—Kirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBarnett’s text is funny and profound, raising philosophical questions about intent, genius, and truth. Klassen’s trademark eyes do a lot of emotive work amid the spare, fantastical set- ting. Angled lines (in the rocks, plants, and slanting rain) and white space direct readers’ own eyes across each page or spread, and short sentences, smart dialogue, and word repetition keep the story moving at a steady pace. Readers looking for a \u003cb\u003ecompelling \u003c\/b\u003eread-aloud will not be disappointed.\u003cbr\u003e—The Horn Book\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere’s a ’60s flair to this \u003cb\u003estory of friendship and artistry\u003c\/b\u003e; the text is spare yet robust, with a lot of meaning behind the carefully selected words, and the open-ended conclusion will give kids much to discuss. Klassen’s watercolor, graphite, and digital art is animation ready, with simple textured shapes against white backgrounds...While the story could provoke discussions about expectations and friendships, this title is most at home as an original entry in art curricula.\u003cbr\u003e—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSquare attempts to make a Circle sculpture that will be as perfect as his friend is...Children will no doubt find the results \u003cb\u003ehilarious\u003c\/b\u003e. The droll illustrations by the Niagara Falls, Ont., native Klassen, in subtle shades of gray, brown and blue, endow these friends with personality and Barnett's simple text is perfect.\u003cbr\u003e—The Buffalo News\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDroll, subdued and enigmatic\u003c\/b\u003e, this second volume of a planned trilogy will delight children ages 5-9.”\u003cbr\u003e—The Wall Street Journal\u003cb\u003eMac Barnett\u003c\/b\u003e, the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is a \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than thirty languages and sold more than five million copies worldwide. Mac Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\/ New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards, three E. B. White Read-Aloud Awards, the \u003ci\u003eBoston Globe–Horn Book \u003c\/i\u003eAward, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, the Netherlands’ Zilveren Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the cocreator, with Jon Klassen, of the Substack \u003ci\u003eLooking at Picture Books\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as \u003ci\u003eShape Island\u003c\/i\u003e, a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Mac Barnett lives in Oakland, California.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJon Klassen \u003c\/b\u003eis the author-illustrator of \u003ci\u003eI Want My Hat Back, \u003c\/i\u003ea Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book; \u003ci\u003eThis Is Not My Hat, \u003c\/i\u003ewinner of the Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal; and \u003ci\u003eWe Found a Hat\u003c\/i\u003e. He is also the illustrator of two Caldecott Honor books, \u003ci\u003eSam and Dave Dig a Hole\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eExtra Yarn, \u003c\/i\u003eboth written by Mac Barnett. Jon Klassen lives in Los Angeles.","brand":"Candlewick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301336207589,"sku":"NP9780763696078","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780763696078.jpg?v=1767737143","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/square-isbn-9780763696078","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}