Unstoppable

K-Gr 3--After a crab and a bird are threatened by a cat, they join forces, since one has always longed to fly and the other wants claws that snap. They describe themselves as Crabbird/Birdrab and are content until they both divulge their desire to swim as well as soar and pinch. Enlisting the aid of a turtle, the three become Craburtlebird--among other monikers--and feel they are "unstoppable," until they confront a bully. Even with their combined talents, they are intimidated by the angry bear until the three convince him to collaborate with them and they become Crabburbearbird! Though they now possess myriad strengths and abilities, they are no match for the humans who are razing the forest in the name of progress, so, of course, they enlist the help of the president and Congress. Vibrant illustrations were created using Procreate on an iPad and are engaging and humorous. VERDICT Introducing the picture book crowd to a bit of knowledge about who is in charge of passing laws, this will also delight adults in its depiction of our government.--Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI

A put-upon crab and a crow--drawn by Park (Abner & Ian Get Right-Side Up) with an adorably goofy graphic aesthetic--realize that by combining the crow's wings and the crab's pincers, they can become the airborne scourge of their common enemy, a cat. "Crabbird!" shouts the crow, "Birdrab!" echoes the crab, "UNSTOPPABLE!" they cheer together after delivering a nose-pinch that sends the cat scurrying. But why stop there? In rapid succession, they join forces with a turtle, a bear named Steve, and (a little less willingly) the U.S. president and all of Congress, creating a highly improbable amalgam--"Congresibirdraburtlebear"--that proves "UNSTOPPABLE!" when it comes to righting wrongs--or, as Rex (The Next President) puts it, "passing laws and pinching the noses that need to be pinched." It's not only funny (Rex has a way with offhand remarks: "Well, I've always been a little envious of ducks," the crab tells the bird) and beautiful to look at, with a clean, bold design and exuberant typography--it also hints at collaboration's role in effecting change. If "UNSTOPPABLE" suddenly starts ringing through playgrounds across the nation, this fetching fractured fable is probably the reason why. Ages 5-8. Agent for author and illustrator: Steven Malk, Writers House. (May)