A sweet little picture book that isn't doing anything new for me.

Lots of shapes have lots of special things about them, but what is special about line? And will line get chosen for a special task at the library?

A book all about seeing the special differences in individuals, self acceptance, and diversity. A little abstract for my taste but overall a nice picture book that will definitely appeal to some audiences.

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so wonderful. The pictures and story are adorable!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute and whimsical book. A great shape learning book but also an important message about everyone being important in their own way.

This was such a cute story! I liked that the answer was not what everyone thought it was, because society often treats treasure as something to keep only for one’s self. I was a little worried that all the other shapes seemed so mean. Only one offered a kinder reason why Line wouldn’t be a good treasure keeper, and that on top of the difficult journey to the library made the whole story seem more negative. But I suppose that can be the reality of life sometimes. Overall a good book for littles!

Lovely meaning behind the story. Also great dialogue for each shape. I think this book would be great in a classroom setting. Drawings are cute and simple.

I read this story with my daughter. We really enjoyed it and thought that it was important to celebrate all unique characters. I’m on my way to becoming a teacher and would love to purchase a copy for my classroom. Great story!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of Line Leads the Way for me to read and review.

I have to say that I was disappointed in this book. It felt rushed and while the illustrations were good it wouldn’t be my first choice on the shelf.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Capstone Editions.

The book begins with a triangle walking up to look at a sign posted (presumably by a librarian) on a tree stating "Are you the PERFECT shape to keep or treasure safe?" and all of the shapes make their way to the library to audition for the job of Treasure keeper. Eventually all of the shapes make their way and explain how they would keep the treasure safe. Finally, the line comes in and says that they aren't "perfectly anything" but they would take care of the treasure. All of the shapes state how the line is incapable of guarding the treasure and then, all of a sudden, the librarian claps and gives the line the job., saying that the "treasure" Is meant to be shared not hidden or hoarded.

I find that the story was a little rushed and not well-developed. The premise was cute, but something should be done to better develop why "knowledge, kindness and acceptance" are the treasures at the library. Why do these "treasures" need to be kept safe? Why can't the shapes work together to keep them safe?

The librarian says "we are all a little broken that's how the treasure gets in and out". I can see a child looking at the shapes and asking "how are they broken?" Children are literal and if this is in a picture book, they will look for evidence in the pictures. There is no evidence that they are "broken".

Again, the premise is that kindness, acceptance and knowledge are valued - considered treasures even - but the story itself has some plot holes that make it seem rushed and not fully developed.

This book is so sweet, and I really love this message.

This is perfect I'd you are trying to show kids that they don't need to be perfect all the time, and that nobody is perfect. I loved the illustrations as well, adorable!

Line isn't perfect, but he's self-aware, and that makes him the right shape for an important job at the library. The other shapes think they're pretty cool, but the librarian need somebody who has room for other people and can share and learn.

My 4-y/o daughter liked this. The plot seems a bit forced. What is the job? Why can't everyone do it? What's with the journey? Why are all the other shapes so cocky?

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Line Leads the Way is an adorable picture book promoting inclusivity, kindness, and acceptance. The characters are all shapes vying for the job of protecting the library's treasures. All shapes believe they are perfect to be the new Treasure Keeper, each with their reasons: being able to fight off anyone who comes near, hiding the treasure, or outshining it. The librarian's explanation of her choice helps all shapes to understand what is truly important. Laura Purdie Salas' book is cute, and Alice Caldarella's illustrations give personality to each shape. The book is a wonderful teaching tool for compassion and shapes as well!

Cute book. Easy to read and follow. Definitely on the younger end. The illustrations are soft but engaging. Overall a decent little book

This book caught my eye for its cute cover. The story would catch the eye of a young reader for its shapes, colors and cute illustrations. It also opens up the conversation of believing in yourself, not assuming someone can’t because of a characteristic, etc. A quick story that shows that even flaws can be a strength.

Line Leads the Way is an adorable picture book promoting inclusivity, kindness, and acceptance. The characters are all shapes vying for the job of protecting the library's treasures. All shapes believe they are perfect to be the new Treasure Keeper, each with their reasons: being able to fight off anyone who comes near, hiding the treasure, or outshining it. The librarian's explanation of her choice helps all shapes to understand what is truly important. Laura Purdie Salas' book is cute, and Alice Caldarella's illustrations give personality to each shape. The book is a wonderful teaching tool for compassion and shapes as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone Editions. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, Capstone Editions, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So cute! Great illustrations. Love the story of everyone having a Job that works best for them, even if you don’t feel like you’re best from the job.

When I saw the cover, I immediately thought of the Crayons stories and how much my kiddo loved that first book in the series. So, of course, I thought that this would be in some way a reflection of that. And I do think that Salas is trying to bring that style of illustration and storytelling to this picture book. I just found that it fell short in a lot of ways. The illustration is nice and nothing to complain about, but the story left me wanting. I get that it was teaching a lesson, but the overall story that led to that lesson felt disjointed and, in the end, did not really connect to the librarian's decision.

I am also still confused as to how line gets all of the breaks and still manages to keep moving. I get why it was necessary for the ending, but I'm just not sure it worked for me. I also didn't really get the way the other shapes were portrayed or what they proposed for keeping the treasure safe. Or maybe it's that I didn't quite get the way line spoke about themself.

A young child reading this would likely be fine and probably wouldn't question all the things that were problematic for me. They would just enjoy the story and where it went. I do, however, think that the lesson in the story could be tighter and stronger to wrap up the ending in a way that would satisfy younger readers.

Not sure I would buy this for someone, but also not totally against it. Hence the 3 star.

"Line Leads the Way" is a sweet story about finding your strengths, even if you're a little different. Line, although broken and chipped, feels out of place amongst the "perfect" shapes vying for a library job. But when it comes to keeping track of precious treasures, Line's unique perspective and ability prove to be the perfect fit! The charming illustrations and celebration of embracing what makes you "you" make this a 4-star pick for little ones.

"Line Leads the Way" by Laurie Purdie Salas and Illustrated by Alice Caldarella is an interesting children's picture book.

The library is having try outs for a treasure keeper, and they invite all the shapes to come. Many shapes travel to the library like the rectangle, star, circle, square, triangle, and line. On the way, Line gets into knots, tumbles, and is struck by lightning. He's injured and broken when he arrives at the library.

All the shapes think they are perfect for the job. Line says he is not perfectly anything, but he will do his best to take care of the treasure. So the job is to share the treasure, not to hoard it, and Line gets the job. There are perfect places for even the most broken of us.

The author, Laurie Purdie Salas, has written over 135 children's books. The pictures by Alice Caldarella are well done. All the shapes have faces and personalities. I liked this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Capstone Editions, and the author, Laurie Purdie Salas, for providing this e-book ARC so that I could give you my honest review.

My 5 and 3 year old really enjoyed this book and asked to read it again as soon as we finished.
I like that the story not only reinforces which each shape is, but gives real life examples of the shape as part of the story. The kids are learning without feeling like it's pushed on them.
It also expresses the idea that everyone is perfect in their own way.
Overall, great kids book!

My kids loved the illustrations in this book. I thought that the story was well done and easy enough for my kiddos to understand. I really liked the message of the story and its one that I am happy to have in our bedtime routine.