Unstoppable

A cat silently stalks through the brush towards the water’s edge and pounces at a crab, who snaps his pincers to ward off the cat. The cat’s next victim is a bird, who narrowly escapes the attack by flying away to a branch above the crab. Seeing this, the crab pronounces his wish “to soar, happy and carefree” like the bird, while the bird points out the crab’s enviable claws. The two form a beneficial alliance and become “Crabbird” (or “Birdrab”) and vengefully fly over and pinch the cat. They then join forces with a turtle and bear (becoming “Birdraburtlebear! Craburbearbird! Turbearbircrab!”), and with each animal linked to the other, are flying through the air when they notice bulldozers clearing their lakefront for a shopping mall. The plot takes a conservationist turn as Birdraburtlebear swoops into the Oval Office to grab first the President, then all of Congress from the Capitol. When carried over the lake, the peculiar legislative body votes in favor of protecting the land—making Congresibirdraburtlebear “Unstoppable!” The modified names (one including potty humor: “Crabturd”) add to the humorous moments in the story, like how Congresibirdraburtlebear should be the national bird, but the eagle is “easier to draw.” While the animals joining together gets the story off to a great start, the swing to the conservationist tone—while a positive message—feels slightly random and is oversimplified. Still, the simple, fun illustrations and clever moments make this an overall enjoyable read.