Unstoppable

Written by Adam Rex · Illustrated by Laura Park

Animals unite to save their forest from human destruction.

4.9/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 839 ratings

56 pages· 433 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

$16.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

A bird and a crab, each desiring the other's traits, form an unlikely alliance. As more animals join, they face a daunting challenge: stopping humans from turning their forest into a megamall. With claws, wings, and a touch of politics, can this diverse team become truly unstoppable? Discover a tale of teamwork, uniqueness, and environmental action in this vibrant picture book.

From the publisher

A read-aloud gem about teamwork and togetherness from New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Well, what if the answer was: ALL OF THEM! When a bird narrowly escapes the clutches of a hungry cat, a nearby crab admires the bird’s ability to fly, while the bird admits a longtime yearning for claws. And, just like that, they team up. Pretty soon, the team includes every animal in the forest who’s ever wanted someone else’s special trait. But how will these animals stop humans from destroying the forest for a megamall? It’s going to take claws, wings, and Congress together to be truly Unstoppable! Laura Park’s bright, comic illustrations pair with bestselling author Adam Rex’s laugh-out-loud text in this hilarious and insightful picture book about celebrating the ways you’re unique, and using all your resourcefulness–and just a smidge of politics–to save the day.

Unstoppable! provides a timely lesson on the glories of diversity and the power of working together.

Perfect read-aloud book for children interested in animals, the environment, and political action

For fans of Nothing Rhymes with Orange, Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, The Wolf the Duck and The Mouse, and Penguin Problems.

Books for kids ages 3-5

Read-aloud picture books

Picture books about Congress and government

Adam Rex is an author, illustrator, and author-illustrator known for his books including The Dirty Cowboy, School’s First Day of School, and The True Meaning of Smekday, which was adapted into the DreamWorks film Home in 2014. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Laura Park is a cartoonist, illustrator, and enthusiastic baker from Chicago currently living in France.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 56
Words: 433
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: 530L

Themes & topics

Books about friendship Books about politics and government Books about science and nature Books about teamwork Books about activism

The Bookroo review

What our editors thought of 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.

The verdict

“A silly and enjoyable—if somewhat oversimplified—story about animals coming together in one-of-a-kind way (literally) for conservation.”

Bookroo Editorial

Reviewed May 2020

4.9/7

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