Doodle and Dot: The Trouble with Triangles

Doodle and Dot are the best of friends, bound by a shared love of creativity. But when an innocent session of shape-drawing takes an unexpected turn—summoning a hungry dinosaur, mischievous sharks, and an entire invasion of triangle aliens—they find themselves in an artistic pickle. Can they sketch their way out of trouble?

Murray’s text crackles with energy, capturing the spontaneous joy of creative play while seamlessly introducing early years readers to shape recognition. The narrative unfolds with a wonderful sense of improvisation, giving the impression that Doodle and Dot’s world is being created in real time—just as unpredictable and thrilling as a child’s creativity.

Melo’s illustrations are a visual delight, her trademark folk-art influences and collage-style textures lending the pages a joyful sense of movement. The contrast between the sharp, angular triangles attacking and the rounded, organic forms of Doodle and Dot’s creative world offers a subtle yet effective introduction to how shapes hold meaning—a clever visual play that enhances the book’s exploration of artistic expression.

Fans of her Klaus Flugge Prize-shortlisted The Dream Book will recognise Melo’s ability to infuse every spread with warmth, humour, and the playful chaos of imagination. Her linework and mixed-media approach ensures that you can see and feel the artist’s touch on every page, making this book a delight not just to read but to experience. The layering of media — graph paper backgrounds, crayon strokes, and cut-out shapes — perfectly mirrors the theme of unbridled artistic exploration.

This is more than just a fun-filled romp. It’s a celebration of creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the idea that sometimes the best adventures come from unexpected mistakes. Young readers will relish the riot of shapes, colours, and action, while adults will appreciate the encouragement of open-ended play. A vibrant, dynamic picture book that proves creativity knows no limits—even when triangles get in the way!