Line Leads the Way

Written by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by Alice Caldarella
Capstone Editions, 2024
ISBN: 978-1684469284 36 pages

Description

Square, Triangle, and all the other shapes each think they’re perfectly perfect for a special job at the library. Come on--everyone wants a special job at the library! But Line is literally imperfect—broken and chipped by his long journey. Can he be the Treasure Keeper the library needs?

Triangle stomped, parting crowds with her pointy elbows.
Circle merrily rolled over mountains and marigolds.
Square strutted in equally spaced steps.

And then there was Line. He hugged his family for a lonnnnnnnng time. When he left, a bit of himself stayed behind.

Reader Reactions

A must-have book for every daycare, school, church and home. This book teaches a lesson that needs to be learned early and reinforced often. This book is highly recommended.

—Jennifer L., NetGalley

[I]t provides an opportunity for many discussions about different shapes and their characteristics, how to disregard negative comments, be true to yourself, and do things with our whole heart.

—Karen Narupa, Nathan Reading Journey

Line Leads the Way by Laura Purdie Salas is a beautiful and heartwarming story that embraces the theme of being perfectly imperfect. This charming book is sure to resonate with young readers and adults alike, offering a delightful narrative and stunning illustrations.

—Mackenzie R., NetGalley

I loved this sweet little book about the different roles we can play and the important lesson that being "perfect" is not always what is required.

—Hannah C., NetGalley

This was an adorable book and I think kids of all ages will definitely enjoy reading it. I'll definitely be purchasing this for my library collection!

—Kaitlyn C., Librarian, NetGalley

The subtle humor throughout the book was also a delight. I will definitely be recommending this book to my librarian friends to add to their collection.

—Stephanie C., NetGalley

This time, it's all about shapes, allowing each one to apply for a new position, "Keeper of the Treasure" at the Valley View Library...When presenting, the shapes each share how it suits the new job "perfectly". For example, Rectangle states: "I am PERFECTLY sturdy. I am buildings and books and boxes. I will hide the Treasure inside." Others show similar traits, but only Line "shows" it can "Lead the Way". You'll need to read this celebration of those who are thoughtful, resilient, and who appreciate uniqueness. It's enhanced by Alice Caldarella's lively and colorful illustrations full of emotions in shapes!

—Linda Baie, TeacherDance

This is a charming and smart story that will challenge perceptions of children and adults alike. The fun shape characters will get giggles from the small ones. The illustrations, done in fun doodle style have lots of color and movement. I can see this book being a good choice for story time or to begin a classroom discussion on the definition of treasure and whether it should be hoarded or shared. It is also perfect for National Library Week or Children's Book Week.

—Loralee P., librarian, NetGalley

Downloadable Activities

Color the shapes!

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Photo Gallery

2024_0531_IG review of Line Leads the Way

How this Book Got Started

Many years ago at the gym, I watched an elderly couple shuffle around the track. The woman was so hunched over she was looking at the floor. I was thinking about disabilities--visible and non-. The lines "We're all a little broken. We're all a little bent" formed in my head. But they didn't go anywhere for a while. In 2017, a Louise Penny novel brought me to Leonard Cohen's "Anthem." "Forget your perfect offering/ There is a crack, a crack in everything. / That's how the light gets in." How I love that. Various other thoughts swirled. The ways we feel inside and outside. Out in the cold. The in crowd. I wanted to write a book that said to kids, "You are inside. Inside the human race. Inside our world. We are all inside." Rush's song “The Larger Bowl” also mixed in. "Why such different fortunes and fates?" So did Melanie Heuiser Hill's Giant Pumpkin Suite, which is where I first heard about kintsugi, the repair of broken pottery using a seam of gold. All these ideas eventually came to life in a story I called Perfectly Broken. Which eventually became Line Leads the Way, a story about the treasures that libraries hold and the beauty within all of us. I hope you like it!