A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book

by Jonathan Fenske

From the comedic mind of Jonathan Fenske, Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning creator of A Pig, a Fox, and a Box , comes a hilarious picture book about what happens when a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark "walk" into a book. Fenske's appealing illustration style and clever text make this intriguing book a must-have for every young reader's shelf.

Absurdity abounds in this funny picture book that tries to tell the tale of a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark.

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?

Perfect for fans of The Book with No Pictures and Kevin the It's Not All Rainbows !

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Dinosaurs, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Unicorns

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2023

About the author

Jonathan Fenske is the author and illustrator of the leveled readers Woodward and McTwee, Love Is in the Air, Guppy Up!, and A Pig, a Fox, and a Box, which was a 2016 Geisel Honor book. He is also the author of two picture books, Barnacle Is Bored and its follow-up, Plankton Is Pushy. Jonathan lives in South Carolina with his family.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A unicorn, a dinosaur, a shark and a kitten in a rainbow colored t-shirt, there's a character for everyone in this book. Right? If this sounds like a humorous premise, this may be book for you. (IMO), this is not for everyone. You'll either love and appreciate the humor in this book or roll your eyes at it.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just kept laughing 🤣

[Beth Huddleston · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - This wasn't necessarily my favorite book, but boy howdy I had a lot of first graders and kindergarteners think it was great.

[A.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

suppose to me funny but didn't quite hit its mark with my group. might be better for 7 year old and up

[Sarah LaMar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute little kids books and so funny

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comical picture book about what happens when the subjects of the story are not really interested in participating. The unicorn, dinosaur, and shark proclaim that they have been in better stories and are just looking for free food. Hilarity ensues when a t-shirt wearing kitten is introduced to try and save the book.

Reviewer #23

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Brigitte Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! Loved the ending!

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspired by walk into a bar jokes, this picture book features a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark.

The one thing this book gets right is that young readers like books about unicorns, dinosaurs, and sharks, so a book with all three should be a hit. Unfortunately, this book is a drawn out joke that I didn’t care for as a adult and my school-age children thought was just a bunch of boring talking. None of us cared for the ending in which all three try to eat a kawaii cat.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny

[Thomas Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pathetic imitation of a book that tries to have funny interactions between the characters and the narrator. There are much better books that successfully pull this off. This book fails.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high energy interactive picture book where an unseen writer introduces 3 characters, a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark, in the hopes of creating a book readers will like. However, it isn't quite so easy if the characters aren't given something to do and get bored. Then another character is added to the mix and the book gets very funny. This will be a fun book to share. Add it to the list of entertaining metafiction picture books!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title sounded appealing, but this was a total waste of time. I have gotten tired of the trend of excessively meta children's books, but this was the worst one I've read so far. It never goes anywhere at all, has no sense of pacing, and doesn't even have a satisfying twist. This book's only twist is that it ends abruptly while predatory animals are chasing a cute kitten.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does the title of this book sound like the start of a joke?

That's kind of the point. Altogether this book reads to me like creativity for the sake of creativity. Between the whimsical drawings and the unpretentious silliness, I can see why many a reader would like this book to have FIVE STARS.

Thanks for the words and the pictures and that impulse toward cleverness, Jonathan Fenske.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th wall breaking narrator invites a unicorn, a dinosaur, and a shark to join a book, and it doesn't go so well until a new character is introduced, but the reader's help is needed for a safe and happy ending. I didn't realize this was a Jonathan Fenske book until after I finished it, and it totally makes sense. Not my favorite of his but still a good one.

[Sirah · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you make a popular book? Add dinosaurs and sharks and unicorns, of course! What's that? It needs a plot too?

This book is a silly way to think about what kids like. The ending was distressing, and it almost went on too long for just one joke. It was still pretty silly and fun to read, though.

[Binxie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit snarky, this book lends itself to multi-age storytimes. Older kids will get the humor, and the younger crowd will be entertained with the three characters. Let go and have fun with this one. The crowd will enjoy it.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny tale featuring a Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark that are the subjects of a book. This trio has issues about being in this book because sharks don't walk, dinosaurs STOMP, and unicorns prance, but in the end they all agree that it is the best book ever.

[Kelly]

Unfortunately the first half of the book was really boring. I get that we're supposed to be excited about unicorns and all that, but honestly, that doesn't make a good book. Put photos of puppies being adorable, I'd read that. Cartoonish drawings of a unicorn, dino, and shark just don't cut it.

[AMY · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly book that might be good for kids who are looking for something different. There are lots of talking bubbles and they continue to share their opinions on everything. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical. I would recommend this to grades 2-3.

[Hilda Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Funny!!!

This is a funny read aloud book, that starts out with a line that you think is sure to set up a joke. But... it doesn't end at all as you expect it. The characters in this book are sure to make readers laugh.

Humor/unicorns/dinosaurs/sharks/kittens

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

My one question is why? It was absolutely terrible and an obvious way to make a few bucks. No, it wasn’t smart either. I think only actual writers can pull off sarcasm, but in a children’s book? Get real.

[Connie T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

With such a preposterous title, I had high hopes. However, I found this to be incredibly boring. The three characters didn't want to be in the book and their lack of interest did nothing to drive the story forward.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly book I read while standing around at the book fair. The fourth wall is shattered. There's a lot of complaining, which I don't care for.

It gets better with the kitten (that's a life lesson).

Decent art, if clearly digital.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes, this book is a bit twisted. YES, it's awesome. I love the illustrations and I love a book where the reader gets to participate by slamming the book shut! This is AMAZING :D I read it at the library and just picked up a copy from my local bookstore today :)

[Firetruckmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a sweet little adorable book full of warm hugs and rainbow butterflies … def it has grown up humor that I appreciated and I know reading to a classroom to kids of a young age, many would like it.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that breaks the fourth wall. Probably a decent one to help kids start to read on their own; would say appropriate for ages 2-7. Illustrations are beautiful but the story is sort of dull. Overall, 3/5 stars ⭐️

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonathan Fenske is a storytime favorite and this title does not disappoint! Join Unicorn, Dinosaur and Shark as the books narrator attempts to get them excited about being in this book.

Hilarious and highly recommended for storytime.

[Leeanne McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was highly amusing and very vivid colors were used in the illustrations especially the BRIGHT pink inside cover before the book starts. Get some sunglasses. LOVE IT!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

School visit worthy!!