Children learn about shapes in clever comics-style book

A Trapezoid Is Not a Dinosaur!

By Suzanne Morris

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA, 2019

“A Trapezoid Is Not a Dinosaur!” is a clever story that teaches children about shapes. Using a comics design with speech bubbles, the story is told with many puns and word play.

Trapezoid is dying to be in Triangle’s play, “Shapes in Space,” but he can’t convince the other shapes that he fits in.

As all the shapes audition and tell about their strengths, Trapezoid keeps interrupting to say he has similar positive qualities. The other shapes are irritated.

Director Triangle says, “I’m a strong shape with a great sense of direction.” Trapezoid says, “I’m a strong shape, too. I’ll help you direct.”

Trapezoid hoists Triangle on top of him and says, “Look! Together we make a big triangle.” But Triangle is not impressed. He frowns and says, “A trapezoid is not a triangle.”

Next Square auditions. He says, “I have four sides. I can make a box.” Trapezoid jumps on stage and says, “I also have four sides. But I think outside the box!”

Square is annoyed and says, “A square has four equal sides. A trapezoid is not a square.”

The story continues like this until Triangle finally relents and tells Trapezoid he can be in the play.

But he casts him as a dinosaur. Trapezoid is angry and shouts, “A trapezoid is NOT a dinosaur!”

The show begins. Circle is a moon. Star is a falling star. Square and Triangle are supposed to be a rocket ship, but when Triangle shouts, “Go!” Square frowns and says, “Go where?”

Finally, Trapezoid saves the day. He bursts through a trap door on the floor of the stage and says he is “Trapezoid the Rocket Booster.” When Square sits on him, and Triangle on top of Square, Trapezoid makes a fantastic rocket booster.

The other shapes finally appreciate him, and the rocket blasts off. “Trapezoid, you are a supportive shape, after all,” says Triangle.

Morris creates fun colorful illustrations and makes the shape characters expressive despite their simplicity.

After the story, there is another page about shapes and readers are invited to go to the author’s website for more fun with shapes.

This funny book is a good introduction to shapes for children.

About the Author and Illustrator

Suzanne Morris is an author, illustrator, and designer with a BFA from Parsons School of Design. “A Trapezoid Is Not a Dinosaur!” is her debut picture book. She makes her marks by hand using pencils, ink, watercolor, and collage with digital retouching. She lives with her husband and daughter in New Jersey. Visit her at www.suzannemorrisart.com.