Party Hearty Kitty-Corn, the Borg embodiment for non-Unicorn kidlit

I don’t like unicorns. Certainly, I’m not too fond of kittens. Pugs are the lowest form of canines. Resistance is futile. If you’re a pre-k through second-grade student, and you think any one of those first three sentences is a resolute truth, then resistance is futile to Party Hearty Kitty-Corn. This is the sort of vivid, in-your-face, read-to-me book that runs with enthusiasm and speaks loudly to those who hear it.

Party Hearty Kitty-Corn is the third book in the Kitty-Corn series. This one is about a Unicorn, a Kitty and it adds a Pug to the party. The book’s cover is highlighted with pink, green and purple glitter that makes the author’s names dance off the paper. The animals are also accented with glitter, except for the Pug who has a pink streamer that’s going around its paw and behind its back. These tactile elements perfectly bait the hook for the enjoyment that kids will have after the book’s cover.

Kitty wants to throw a party for herself and Unicorn. Kitty is dutifully getting all of the decorations out of the box when Puppy rears its head. Puppy is yelping, barking, running around without purpose, messing up all of party supplies, and having a delightful time doing so. If it were just Puppy to deal with, then it would all be fine, but Kitty is beside herself with anger and frustration. The party that she’s planning is coming up and she wants it to be perfect. Unicorn is much more tolerant of Puppy, nudges him with her snout, while Parakeet and Gecko look on in amusement.  

Amidst all of this Pug chaos, Kitty is visibly getting angry with Unicorn, until she eventually explodes at her. Kitty is aghast at Unicorn not being as frustrated with Pug as she is. They are the best of friends and why didn’t Unicorn see things the same way she did? Eventually, Kitty’s anger and self-pity turn to embarrassment. That’s when Unicorn gives Kitty the gift that she made for her that resets the entire day on its correct foot.

Party Hearty Kitty-Corn is a delightful illustrated book that is for those who know that they know. It’s a giddy friendship romp that demonstrates to ages three to seven what characteristics make up a great friend. It’s read-aloud magic that kindergarten kids will laugh at and enjoy, even if they don’t like unicorns. Those final three words are essential because unicorns can be a divisive force to some of those ages. To those erstwhile Federation red shirts Party Hearty Kitty-Corn blazes through those lines of resistance like Locutus of Borg did.

Party Hearty Kitty-Corn is by Shannon Hale with illustrations by Leuyen Pham and is available on Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Abrams Books.

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