Linus, a young rectangle, tries his best to fit in with the other straitlaced citizens of Linneopolis. He loves colors and celebrations, though, and sometimes just can’t help letting those parts of himself show. Eventually, the Line Leader brings Linus to a weekend retreat of the Builders Club, “a perfect opportunity for you to build character, straighten back up, and return to being the Linus we know and love!”
Linus is predictably miserable and runs away, eventually coming to Spunky Town, a land of colors and curves. He’s happy there, but misses home. He decides to go back, with several of his colorful new friends, and tell the citizens of Linneopolis not to wall themselves off from the rest of the world. They’re skeptical at first, but soon see that differences aren’t always bad—and might even be a thing to celebrate. If only creating change in the real world were as easy as it seems here.
There’s no explicit queer representation in this whimsical allegory, but the parallels should be obvious, at least to adult readers (especially since author Stuart Hausmann is himself queer). Additionally, the “retreat” feels like it’s meant to represent a conversion therapy camp. I’m not sure if the target age range for the book really needs to be introduced to the idea of conversion therapy, though, as it could spark fears where none were before.
Linus’s ultimate resilience and community building are worthy of emulation, however, and the adorable drawings have a charming appeal.
