A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book by Jonathan Fenske

I love that this is unknowable. Let me explain. I visited some grandparents today who have two young grandkids staying for a holiday. The grandfather described the kids' favourite book (as of today I am sure this changes all the time) as a book with a unicorn, dinosaur, shark and a kitten wearing a rainbow t-shirt. I was absolutely certain the grandfather was joking - pulling together all their favourite things and imagining they could all be in one book - in fact I almost suggest HE could write that book. Then the little girl passed me this book and asked me to read it!  Such fun. AND it breaks the fourth wall. 

I made one tiny mistake with my reading and was swiftly corrected which shows me this book has been read and re-read many many times - hooray! 

So, what in unknowable? Well, I am asking why is this particular book such a big hit with this four- or five-year-old? The illustrations are okay but lean more to a cartoon style. I know she loves unicorns but this unicorn is not especially appealing or traditional. Perhaps it is the way you just have to read this book aloud with voices. Or is it the offstage narrator (of course she doesn't know that is what that voice is called). Or is it the hilarious but also dangerous ending - Kitty looks like she is about to be devoured by the very hungry dinosaur who has complained through the whole book that he has only come along to be fed. It could also be that she loves the distinct voices or personalities of the three main characters. The unicorn is clearly quite vain, and the shark actually tries to eat the pages of the book. I love that all of this is unknowable and that this child at this point in time simply loves this one special book. Although I do need to say when I asked which book was a winner, she proudly showed me about fifteen more from their coffee table including one of my own favourites - Bye Bye Baby by Allan Ahlberg. 

Publisher blurb: While the narrator insists that the characters are in the best book ever, they are all less than impressed and won’t cooperate with the storyteller’s cues. Can the narrator find a way to convince them to stick around, or will the creatures choose to skedaddle off the page? 

Here is the Kirkus review. Here is a video of the whole book (not perfect but it will give you a sense of the story - but please find the book before you share the video).

It is also interesting to think about this image from very early in the story and the way it needs to be understood by a young child:

I have also discovered a sequel:

What are a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark to do when they just want to relax, but the narrator of the book keeps INSISTING that they're riding a bicycle? Who calls the shots in a story, anyway--

the narrator, or the characters?