Hmm.....I have very mixed feelings about this book. Let me explain why:

We were starting out strong and hilarious. I mean, a crab and a bird working together to be unstoppable....then add a turtle....then add a bear.....and how they vanquish their foes.

But then we go political and while I get the message (when we work together, and come together for the common good, we are unstoppable), it didn't come across as natural. Additionally.....Crab and Bird are envious of a duck. So why isn't there a duck in the story? That is something that doesn't make sense to me......

I *almost* was going to do this in my upcoming storytime with my Kindergarten kiddos....but with the political angle, I know it won't work virtually. So I won't even try. ( )

cute story! ( )

A crab wishes to fly; a bird wishes to pinch a cat on the nose. They team up to become...CRABBIRD/BIRDRAB! But they don't stop there: they join forces with a turtle, so they can swim, and then a bear (Steve). But when they realize their lakefront habitat is in danger from developers, they take further action, sweeping through a White House window and capturing the president (a dark-skinned woman). But she explains that she doesn't make the law - what they really need isn't the president, but Congress...

This hilarious tale of teamwork and environmentalism also slips in a tip about how the US government works. A very fun read-aloud!

*
Re-read April 2024 ( )

Joining to work together flies on the wings of a more than unexpected adventure, which ends with a quirky, yet great message that leaves one wondering for days. In other words, a terrific read-aloud!

Bird hates being chased by cats and after a near-death experience, flaps into a crab, who's convinced bird's life must be wonderful. Bird immediately wishes he had claws, though. The two create an odd alliance and are as happy as can be until the next problem arises. Each time, there's a solution. Or is there?

While this book starts out somewhat logical enough, it snowballs into an adventure packed with imagination, friendship and a touch of odd twists. But it's the inspiration and advantage of working together, using each other's talents, which make this a gem. It's meaningful, it's funny, and it's oh-so fun to read. Listeners will wonder and giggle and even cheer this amazing group along. And maybe peer up in the sky, too.

The illustrations swing right along with the tale, rounding the entire thing off into a lovely read. The animals are impossible not to like and each moment is presented very clearly. It's fun to watch every page as the adventure (and silliness) expand and reach new impossible but all the more root-worthy limits.

I highly recommend this one as a read-aloud and believe young listeners won't get enough of it.

I received a complimentary copy and after reading it, see this one as a 'must-have' for reading circles. ( )