Tadeo's Search for Circles. Marion Brooker. Illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. Toronto, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2011. 32 pp., hardcover, $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-173-6. Subject Heading: Shapes-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 4-6. Review by Alicia Cheng. **** /4

excerpt:

That evening, as Tadeo leaned against his fence

dreaming of cowboys,

he threw his rope

into an almost circle

BUT…

Join Tadeo for a magical journey from his home in South America to the African Savannah, Istanbul, London, and the Arctic. Like any other child, Tadeo thinks the outside world is more perfect than his home. He fantasizes about finding the perfect circle which takes him to the sun, the moon, the Grand Bazaar, the London Eye… The possibilities are endless, but despite all the circles he has discovered, he is still on the search for the perfect circle. Will Tadeo find his perfect circle? Where is this perfect circle?

     Marion Brooker's gentle rhythm and poetic verse creates a soothing bedtime story distinguishing between the "world around us and the comforting familiarity of home" (Publicity). Nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award in 2005, Kyrsten Brooker, the illustrator for Tadeo's Search for Circles, has already illustrated numerous award-winning picture books. In this new story, she brings another exquisite addition to the picture book world. Kyrsten Brooker's illustrations heighten Tadeo's magical and dream-like journey and organize Marion Brooker's imaginative text into pages of concrete poetry. The text molds itself into the illustrations and provides the reader with a unique fantastical experience – flying with Tadeo on his rope in search of the perfect circle. Children reading this story cannot help but enter into this magical journey. They will search for the perfect circle together with Tadeo, only to realize that perfection has always existed in the comfort of his own home. The most perfect circle of all is "his mama's arms."

      The rhythmic and poetic text is an enjoyable read-aloud both for parents and children alike. It will also be lovely during a storytime circle. Although the text is aimed at younger children, older children will also appreciate the rhythm of the text alongside the art. They will also recognize the different places Tadeo's journey takes him to. This picture book is highly recommended for younger and older children, parents and caregivers alike.

Highly Recommended.

Alicia Cheng is a Children's Librarian at Vancouver Public Library in Vancouver, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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