A trapezoid is not a dinosaur by Suzanne Morris

The shapes are getting ready for a show! But who's this weird blue shape? A dinosaur? No dinos needed for this space show! The different shapes, Square, Circle, and Star, all audition and Triangle gives them parts, but they don't want this weird shape at all! Unless it wants to be a dinosaur. But Trapezoid is NOT a dinosaur! It's a shape all on its own and one that has an important part to play in the space show!

This pun-filled picture book is fun and informative on several different levels. I picked it up while I was looking for additional books for my STEAM activity calendars, and it has lots of geometry involved. Each shape explains itself, using words like "parallel" and "angle" and is compared to the other shapes, so readers can see the similarities and differences. Then there is the social element, as the other shapes learn to call Trapezoid by their correct name and realize that they have contributions to make too, even though they are a different shape. On top of all that, it's funny! Cute cartoons show colorful shapes bouncing around the stage and simple panels showing the show before the show as they get things going. Pun-lovers will be in heaven here, with a generous helping of gems like "Sorry, Trapezoid. You just don't fit in./But I have some good points, too."

Verdict: I read this with 1st graders, who had coincidentally just finished learning about trapezoids and other shapes, and they had a lot of fun identifying the shapes and laughing at the story. We also had some good discussions about "parallel" and what that means. A great addition to storytimes for older kids and to your picture book STEM collections.

ISBN: 9781580898836; Published November 2019 by Charlesbridge; Purchased for the library