When an array of opinionated shapes just can't find common ground, AND comes to the rescue. AND is the link that helps each pair of shapes overcome their differences, teaming up to create something entirely new.

The Story of AND by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is about a young girl who likes to count (or has OCD… could go either way). The adults in her life are rather rude about it, telling her to stop wasting time. But then one day, she read a story aloud, a story about the value of 'and' to bring things together. Line AND Circle made a balloon. Triangle AND Rectangle made a seesaw. Whereas before Line and Rectangle had insulted the other shapes, they saw together they could be something more. The story goes through several more pairings, showing how each could grow, and illustrating the value of cohesion over division. The artwork was a little unusual. Not bad, mind, just not typical of our usual reads. I read this with my cubs and we all enjoyed it.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Flyaway Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

The Story of AND is such a cute book about togetherness and the overall theme is breathtakingly done. This book includes a link with a song to go along - great for families that like to read and sing together.

AND shares connections in the most unexpected places and helps shapes form friendships and create beautiful things together. The images throughout are vibrant and whimsical and will surely keep young readers entertained. The flow of the book is great and it was a quick read...without a child, it may be longer as their curiosity is spiked. This would be a great book to have children guess what the shapes are going to come together to be before turning the page.

I thought this was a wonderful book and that families will enjoy it. It has a great message of bringing things and people together and I love books that focus on word and make them fun for all ages. ( )

The concept of this children's book is interesting. It takes a small word, "and," and gives it life. The word "and" is used as a conjunction to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences. It is also used to introduce additional comments or interjections.

So just how is the author and artist granting world changing status to "and"?

In an age of differences of opinions, differences of ideologies, differences of being the author uses the connection of "and" to aid in the identity of overcoming these differences. They begin to experience connectivity of sorts.

The art is modernistic in splashes of color and lots of geometric shapes. You know, squares are definitely different from circles or triangles.

I'm not sure I really see the connection with the beginning of the story where the little girl that loves to count and the evolvement of the storyline. But it somehow works.

This kind of bizarre tale begins with a circle that ends up connecting to a single line. Then AND comes along and joins (connects) the two, and on it goes. Lots of interference from AND, but lots of getting together, too.

A cute book. Kids can learn some about shapes. Learn to get along. Learn lots of things.

I received an uncorrected proof / advance copy from LibraryThing to facilitate a review of my personal opinions which are freely given. ( )