I try and keep an open mind about the early chapter readers that are “cute books.” You know the type: books with rainbow fairies and pretty kitties and happy princess. These are fun books, but not necessarily great literature. However, you never know when something (mostly) good might come along. Or at the very least, something that you can give to a reader who like princesses and fairies and such.
One such book is Cutiecorns V01 Heart of Gold. And while it is your typical magical unicorn-horned-dog aimed at the strong first grader to second grader, Shannon Penney has a pretty decent story. Am I jumping up and down and want to run out and get the second book, Purrfect Pranksters? No, but I know that I would have a plethora of readers who like dogs, or animals, magic and unicorns to give this too.
Is it Shakespeare? Of course not, but it does have a nice message about doing your best, being responsible and what friendship is all about. It also has some interesting illustrations by Addy Rivera Sonda. We see Sparkle and her friends off on adventures that will not only help them find her stolen necklace but will bring to light what their special talents are.
Adult read-alouders: be prepared for words such as puptastic! And phrases like “can they put their horns together to solve the mystery?” over and over. But you will also find your solo reader excited about the mischief a handful of Cutiecorns can get themselves into!