Louie Lets Loose

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 10, 2018

Review

Louie is a unicorn with big dreams and Story Land is no longer big enough to hold those dreams. When a flier advertising the New York School of Performing Arts blows his way, Louie knows that it's time to head to the big city to make his fortune. With his dreams, his love of cake, and his unflailing optimism, Louie sets out. He is able to enroll in the school though, to his surprise and delight, he is not the only unicorn. Arnie the Unicorn is already making a name for himself as a leading man and Arnie does not share Louie's generosity of spirit. The book includes a fun cast of characters: Louie's roommates Frank the Troll, Danny the Faun, and Miranda the Mermaid, Victoria Sponge of the Sunshine Sparkle Dust Cafe, Madame Swirler, principal of the Performing Arts School and, of course, Arnie, that dashing, dastardly unicorn intent on keeping NY a one-unicorn town. Filled with humorous, head-shaking scenes that might have readers yelling out loud, "No, Louie, no!", Hamilton has created a chapter book for readers in 3rd and 4th grade who are looking for a more challenging read with a touch of snark. Not recommended for ESL readers as the book is filled with sarcasm and double meanings and does require an ability to infer. The illustrations are simple one-color line drawings (this book is all in red tones) meshed with black & white photographs that accompany the text, but do not overly supplement; the text is the star here. Well, and that unicorn Arnie...

Overall Book Score: good