Children's Picture book read in mid-90's. About a square person, a circle person, and a triangle person. NOT 'Mr Men' books.

[Jade]

I was born in '91 and this was read to me as a small child (I think before I could read myself). There was a square person who made boxes - an illustration showed a page of hundreds of boxes with the square man stood at the top. There was a triangle person who I think was Russian (Mongolian maybe) who lived where there were pyramids and played a triangle ukulele and did the Russian leg kicking dancing (not sure what this is called). There was also a circle person, but oddly I can't remember any details about him - I think he might have only eaten round things? I'm really not sure about this detail though. Essentially, when you are introduced to each shape character, their life's activities/preferences were heavily related to their body shape.

I think there might have been some quest to the book too, perhaps to find a wife of the same shape? I seem to recall the triangle person getting married at the end.

I hope this is enough details - vague memories from a 2/3 year old me!

[Rainbowheart]

Was this a picture book or a child's novel?

[Jade]

Hello! A picture book - each page was heavily illustrated with accompanying (large) text outlining the story.

[Rainbowheart]

Thanks! Do you think it had a UK origin?

[Jade]

I'm not sure to be honest - I would say probably. Are there any clues that would help me identify if does? The copy was in English, but I couldn't say if it was translated, or if it was published in another English speaking country.

[Capn]

The Greedy Triangle

Maybe this by Marilyn Burns? 1994?

[Jade]

Ah just had a look, and unfortunately it does not appear to be the one. I think the book might pre-date the 90's - I recall the illustrations seemed a lot older than the ones in this book, and definitely less cartoonish.

An extra small detail I've just remembered; I think the square man who made boxes wore square glasses.

[Rainbowheart]

Jade wrote: "I'm not sure to be honest - I would say probably. Are there any clues that would help me identify if does?"

Not sure on that, but you being in the UK would definitely increase the probability.

[Jade]

In that case, I'd assume UK origin - does that help at all?

[Capn]

A Balalaika is the name of the triangular stringed instrument, if it helps. It's a Russian instrument, as Jade suggested.

[Jade]

Just quickly searched - the Balalaika was exactly the instrument! Thanks Capn. Are there any other details that would help source the book?

[Kris]

Image of Balalaika (triangular stringed instrument) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balalaika

[Capn]

Hopefully someone (i.e. a librarian!) who can do very fancy text and keyword searches can help further - I'm afraid I've exhausted my own capabilities!

Will keep an eye out for 80s books on shapes / geometry, though.

I also looked at illustrated versions of Flatland, but they still seem a bit too sophisticated for very young readers. ;)

(I am curious - do you think Mr Triangle was involved in a Love Triangle? Ha ha)