So Many Circles, So Many Squares

Tana Hoban's photographs have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and in galleries around the world. She has won many gold medals and prizes for her work as a photographer and filmmaker. Her books for children are known and loved throughout the world.

Hoban's wordless concept book of circles and squares is graced with thrilling full-color photographs but marred by a small, rude gesture in one picture. Most of the objects pictured are of familiar man-made objects, and most come with an urban flavormanhole covers, construction blinkers, shop windows, storm sewer grates. Some of the photographs are quite funny--one shows a couple of kids with boxes on their heads; other photos have the quality of found objects--the back of a garbage truck, a side view of an airport luggage carrier. The caveat: A shot of traffic lights and a ``One Way'' sign includes a small poster of the symbol known as ``the finger.'' Perhaps only city children will notice; aside from that, this is a tidy book, and one that puts across Hoban's undeviating message to look, and see. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.