SIDMAN, Joyce. Round. illus. by Taeeun Yoo. 32p. HMH. Mar. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780544387614.

PreS-K –Sidman delivers a captivating homage to the many round things found in nature and in the world around us. Told in the voice and sensibility of a young child, the simple text follows a girl as she comes across round objects, feels their smoothness, and wraps her fingers around their curves. Some she appreciates from afar (turtle eggs and sunflowers), watching how they roll, spin, or bounce. Some of the objects are in plain sight, and others are hidden and require close inspection. Many of the examples are surprising and delightful. For instance, rain splats and leaves circular ripples behind and round lily pads and turtle shells appear for observant viewers to notice. In fact, much of Yoo’s appealing artwork, done in mixed media with printed texture, is rounded and in soft focus. Sidman’s examples stretch from the fleeting (bubbles) to the enduring (a full moon) to the personal (“I can be round too...in a circle of friends with no one left out.”). It’s amazing how one square little book can hold such a wealth of roundness. VERDICT A lovely read-aloud to share in a story circle or in preparation for a nature walk and a perfect choice to curl up with one-on-one.–Luann Toth, School Library Journal

This review was published in the School Library Journal June 2017 issue.