Unstoppable

By Adam Rex, illustrated by Laura Park
Chronicle, 2020
Picture book, 56 pages, ages 5-8

A cat stalks a crab … then stalks a bird, who flies away and commiserates with the crab… and they become an UNSTOPPABLE flying duo who can pinch naughty cats on the nose.

A rip-roaring, absurd romp.

They add to their UNSTOPPABLE team as they come across a turtle and a bear (“Steve!”). Their rollicking fun takes a sudden sharp turn when they encounter bulldozers who are going to level their forest home to make way for a shopping mall. The destruction must be stopped!

The UNSTOPPABLE team of Birdraburtlebear swoops in on the Oval Office to snatch the President and then … congress?

What starts off as a thoroughly enjoyable, madcap story ends with a heavy-handed lesson on government and environmental issues.

While Adam Rex is usually a favorite, I couldn’t get my head around this book. I loved the beginning; I didn’t like the ending. The plot is disjointed and the twist for me was abrupt and jarring, not hilarious or satisfying.

Laura Park’s mid-century modern influenced illustrations are delightful. Her simply but effectively designed characters are expressive and steal the show.

Will kids like this book? Kids will love the first half, but I’m not sure if all of them will get the second half. But some might overlook the author’s agenda and just love the characters’ outlandish antics.

Potentially sensitive themes: kidnapping, political activism, environmental activism

Unstoppable by Adam Rex gets 3 stars from this reviewer.