Circle, created by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2019. $21.99 ages 4 and up

""There is one more rule,"
said Circle.
"No hiding behind the
waterfall."
Square said, "OK."
Triangle said, "Why not?"
"Because," said Circle. "It
is dark back there."
Square said, "OK."
Triangle said, "I am not
afraid of the dark!"

Oh. boy! You know exactly where Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen are going with this, right?

I don't get to read to kids in classrooms as much as I would like to do. I love seeing their faces and watching their responses to the books I have chosen to read to them. This one was top of the pile while visiting at Ecole New Era School on Tuesday this week. My friend Nicole asked me to visit, and I was very happy to say I would love to be there. The three groups were students from K to grade 3, and they were so attentive that it was a real pleasure being there again.

I read Circle to each group, and it was well-received by all. That is testament to the writing and artistic work of these wonderful collaborators. They know kids, and they know what kids want to read. Following up on Triangle (Candlewick, 2017) and Square (Candlewick, 2018), this is the third installment in this fine and funny series of books. I have read that some call it a trilogy. I surely hope they are wrong. The kids that I read it to on Tuesday would feel exactly the same way if you asked them. Their responses to the question posed at the end of the book were numerous. We can only hope that the creators have another ace up their sleeves.

The game played by the three friends ends with a surprise. Along the way, there is intrigue, some fear, a touch of humor and a question that musters up careful thought. Jon Klassen's signature images evoke all the emotions felt and spark a child's imagination as the story moves from game-playing and rule breaking to concern for the unknown. Circle's move to the darkened world behind the waterfall, and then into total darkness where only sets of eyes can be seen is inspired.

What a message to send - do we fear what we don't know before finding out all we can about it?
Simple and childlike is the story it tells, but is it?  Let's think about that.