The Shape of You is …. Well, your surroundings. I mean a table is square and a door rectangle, but you are the shape of many things, such as of wind (a scarf) and love (a hand holding yours). The narrator is more the voice of a parent/mother talking to the child, but it could also be the child to parent. Each shape that is around us (like water is a glass or a cube or cloud) is shown. And the fact that some shapes stay the same (the triangle mountains) and others change (like the child of the story).
Muon Thi Van’s story is soft and meditative (which I wish was not used, but certainly fits). It is a cozy bedtime story, but also an anytime need a quiet time. And the
equality soft and smooth images of Miki Sato compliment the text. The images are sweet, and while realistic, they do have a fantasy element to them as well.
I am not “jumping it up and down” over this book, but I enjoyed it. I know people who will like it. I feel it works best for at least ages four and up, but all ages can appreciate, and would make a nice gift for a new baby/the parent of a new baby. Read via Edelweiss, this book is due May 2023.
In the meantime, you can read other books illustrated by Sato (and other illustrators), such as A World of Mindfulness. This book is several voices telling their own mindfulness and the wonders that are around us. The artwork (as mentioned varies per section) are the pull to this book, but the text fits that meditative ideal.