Parents' Guide to

Color Versus Shapes

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Good-natured contest teaches kids about colors and shapes.

Book Mike Boldt Colors 2014
Color Versus Shapes Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Team 1 is a bunch of colors, and Team 2 is a group of white shapes outlined in black. The teams are battling to figure out whom the book is about. They each make their case and strut their stuff onstage in front of three judges: an alligator, the number 1, and the letter A (from 123 Versus ABC). "This book is already square! How can we lose?" asks a triangle.The primary colors mix and blend to create green, orange, and purple. Two triangles combine to make a square. And so it goes in a lively, accelerating one-upsmanship that leads to shapes getting colors and becoming a landscape of familiar items: houses, mountains, a sailboat's sail (triangles), trees, apples, wheels (circles), and so. They both win!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

SHAPES VERSUS COLORS is as exuberant as Mike Boldt's delightful 123 Versus ABC but slightly less engaging. The problem is that many of the interesting shapes may be lost on the little ones who can easily grasp the varied colors. How many 4-year-olds will have heard of a rhombus, a heptagon, or "irregular polygons"?

But the cute premise leads to an exciting reveal that shows shapes and colors in the real world, including the red octagon recognizable as a stop sign. And the friendly, triumphant conclusion underscores a message of appreciating each other's value.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about shapes. What shapes to you see inside your house or apartment? Which ones do you see out the window where you live?

  • What new shapes did you learn about in Colors Versus Shapes?

  • Did you know about mixing primary colors to make secondary colors? Try it with your own paint set. What color can you make from blue and yellow? Red and blue?

Book Details

  • Author: Mike Boldt
  • Illustrator: Mike Boldt
  • Genre: Colors
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Harper
  • Publication date: August 12, 2014
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
  • Number of pages: 40
  • Available on: Hardback
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate