Um, not sure how I feel about this. The idea was good. Discussing it with shapes seemed very odd to me.

A quickly-read book here, that's well worth considering. The piece starts off by looking at shapes – we get a fair few mentioned, and you think you're in the company of a brightly-coloured early geometry lesson, but no. For our purple rhombus – child of a red triangle mother and blue square father, so even the colour blending is thought of – starts to befriend a schoolmate from a different kind of life, and makes some quick, rash, jealous assumptions. But all comes out fine in the end, with a speedily-conveyed lesson. It's not brilliant, but it's not flawed in anything like a major way, and as I say I have to applaud it for seeming to be one thing and yet still managing a rhymed narrative that takes it to very different corners of the preschool library. A strong four stars.

Based on the title I thought it was going to be more about math.. It did include shape names. There was a lot going on and I was a little thrown by the different directions it went in. Not one I would probably read to children.

I do like the premise of the book. I appreciated that it highlighted different types of families and how comparison steals joy. I did not like the way the book portrayed adoption as a loss. The book did not even address the adoptive parents. For that reason, I would not recommend it. It generalized adoption in a way that I was not comfortable with to highlight the lesson of comparison.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet book with a strong positive message about embracing our differences and our unique family dynamics and relationships and loving who we what and what we are

The book is well written for the target age range and it is easy to follow.

The illustrations were nice, bright and clear and my daughter thought they were really nice

It is 4 stars from me for this one – highly recommended

If Shapes Could Talk explores shapes in addition to differences in families. I liked the rhyming story and the colorful illustrations. This can be used to teach small children a variety of shapes. It also explores the theme of jealousy as one child envies the large house and pool of another. My only qualm with this book was the adoption was viewed as sad and negative. Though I agree that in this case of a child losing her birth parents adoption would have sadness attached, in many cases adoption would be joyous without any sadness on the part of the child. I thank Umbra Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Young rhombuses live with their parents, triangle (mom) and square (dad). With relatives of different shapes and sizes, rhombus sees things a little differently. But when they go to school, they see friends and classmates of different colors and designs.
A unique picture book on being true to yourself and being open to other's shapes and sizes. "If Shapes Could Talk" shows young readers that being different is okay. What shape do you see yourself as?

This book was absolutely adorable! I love that there is multiple lessons being taught. This book will help your little one learn shapes and also help them learn that all families are different. I love that it shows to be thankful for what you have. The book also rhymes. It’s super precious. I highly recommend this book for your little ones.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for gifting me this adorable book.

If Shapes Could Talk is a cute illustrated book in rhyming verse by Rella B. Released 24th Oct 2023, it's 40 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

The illustrations throughout are cute, colorful, and full of small details which invite readers to spend a little more time looking at the pictures and thinking about the text. The story has thought provoking takeaways about comparing ourselves to others, the dangers of jealousy, and what it means to be a friend.

The text is very simple and should be accessible to even the youngest readers. The characters are diverse and have different shapes and colors which are mirrored in the descriptions.

It's a valuable little book on several levels and will provide opportunities with a teacher/facilitator/parent/babysitter to find and identify shapes, colors, and some beginning learning about emotions and how families can differ from one another.

Four and a half stars. It would be a nice choice for school or public library acquisition, gift giving, and home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

What an interesting way to show a lesson in being grateful for the people in our lives. It’s easy to feel jealous of others who seem luckier with wonderful possessions. With this story, readers come to see the main character feel thankful for his family and his loving home.

If shapes could talk, what would they say?

This is a delightful little story which introduces young readers to a wide range of shapes in a colourful and interesting manner.

The different shapes in their considerable variety are introduced as a set of family members.

But then the MC finds herself unfairly comparing her shape and design to others without realising that she may be envying someone who has far more serious problems than she knows.

The adorable illustrations deliver an important message about the validity of superficial judgements, and the need to avoid comparisons in the interest of happiness. Recommended for young readers.