Hello, furends! Sig here. 🐾
Today’s book has a unicorn, a dinosaur, a shark, and a narrator who seems to think everyone should be riding a bicycle.
There’s just one little problem: the characters have their own ideas!
In A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Were Riding a Bicycle, written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske, the narrator tries to tell the story while the characters disagree about what they’re supposed to be doing. As a puppy whose mom sometimes announces plans before consulting him, I found this very relatable.
That back-and-forth is such a cute idea. Instead of simply following along, we get to watch the characters push back against the person telling their story!
I do have a little unicorn envy. That colorful tail is pretty spectacular, and I wouldn’t mind borrowing the beach ball. My tail is excellent at knocking things off tables, but it doesn’t have nearly that many colors.
When it comes to daydreaming, though, I’m siding with the dinosaur and shark. The unicorn is thinking about a rainbow. They’re thinking about snacks.
I respect a character with sensible priorities. 🍪
Little Readers, Big Imaginations
This book is aimed at younger children than many of my other bookshelf picks. I think its playful disagreements would make a fun read-aloud, especially with a grown-up giving the narrator and each character their own voice.
And it’s an Imagination Library book—which gives me something else to wag about!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free books each month to registered children from birth to age five in participating communities. What a wonderful way to help families bring stories into their homes!
Children don’t have to be able to read the words themselves to enjoy a book. They can explore the pictures, listen, ask questions, and discover that turning a page might bring something funny or surprising.
I love the idea of introducing books early as something to enjoy together. Before reading becomes something children are asked to do, it can already be something they look forward to: a familiar voice, a cozy lap, and another story.
Preferably with a dog nearby.
Sig’s Final Sniff
A silly premise, characters with opinions, and some very reasonable snack daydreams. This one gets a happy tail wag from me!
Families can learn more and check enrollment availability at imaginationlibrary.com.
Now, about that beach ball… 🐾