The Missing Piece & The Missing Piece Meets the Big O

by Shel Silverstein

First published 2022

A circular being with a triangular gap rolls through the world, searching for the piece that will complete him. He sings as he travels, enjoying the journey despite his incompleteness. When he finally discovers his perfect wedge, he can roll faster than ever before. But speed brings unexpected consequences. He can no longer sing, stop to chat with worms, or smell flowers. In the companion story, a triangular piece sits alone, waiting to belong somewhere. Various incomplete circles try to claim her, but none fit quite right. Then she encounters the Big O, a complete circle who teaches her something surprising about wholeness. The Missing Piece learns she doesn't need to be someone else's completion. She can become whole by growing and changing on her own terms. Both tales explore what it means to be complete and whether we truly need others to make us whole.

Genres: fantasy, contemporary

Vibes: lyrical, thought-provoking, whimsical

Tropes: found-family, self-discovery

Kindle Edition · HarperCollins

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