Kiwicorn

by Kat Merewether, Anna Award (Editor)

A cute and funny story about being unique. Gorgeous illustrations and lively writing help children to understand their emotions, and open a light-hearted dialogue about diversity, with the important message that we re all different from each other and that being different is awesome! Age 2+ About the author Kat Merewether is an award-winning author and illustrator from New Zealand. Gaining inspiration from her own three sparkling children, her sweet yet empowering characters and storylines are endearing to readers of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Kiwicorn is an adorable children's picture book about a cute little Kiwi with a unicorn beak in rainbow colours. Who wouldn't want a kiwicorn?!
This is a cute story to teach children about diversity and how we are all unique in our own ways. The illustrations are bright and engaging and are just so cute! This would make a great starting book to start a new series with and this book would make a great book to read with a group of young children and then talk about what makes them unique and what they love about themselves and each other.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The words to this picture book are just meh, but you know what? It doesn’t matter! Kiwicorn, who resembles a kiwi-narwhal more than a kiwi-unicorn, is sooo stinkin’ cute! Young readers will adore this self-confident little guy, although much more than their parents. Kiwicorn doles out some good advice, but nothing that readers won’t find in a better package elsewhere. A five-star read for the kiddos, a three-star read for parents, averaged to four stars.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group and Windmill Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Neon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before we get started id liked to thank NetGalley and Rosen Publishing Group & Windmill Books for the provided eARC in exchange for an honest review.

'Kiwicorn' by Kat Merewether is a cute book about an adorable kiwicorn who is proud of himself as an individual. This would be a great book for any child's library especially if you want to teach about diversity.

Five stars out of five just for the cuteness.

[Craig Sisterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific idea for a character (a unicorn Kiwi with a rainbow striped beak), and affirming and positive book about embracing difference - but we would have preferred more of an actual story. Such a great character - could have lots of adventures rather than a list of affirmations. Great illustrations.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kiwicorn is about celebrating the individual. I'm sure the Kiwicorn embraces self-acceptance and confidence - it's too cutesy for my liking.

[NrsKelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read filled with brilliant illustrations and delightful adjectives. I felt that the only thing missing was any sort of plot or story. This basically is just a book saying nice things about kiwi corn. It definitely is not something my first grader wanted to read more than one time.
I received a ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable. It set up as a picture book, but I think would work much better in the US market as a board book. The adorable illustrations are of a kiwi with a horn. This book is a question and recall. The front page is a list of attributes, and the back page then says that the Kiwicorn is exactly that. The end of the book says that the Kiwi corn is just like the kid reading the book.. This book will sell well for the illustrations and for the story and will want to be checked out over and over again.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as adorable as you'd expect from the title and cover, if not more so. Kiwicorn is an empowering, uplifting, and incredibly sweet book that celebrates being unique. The illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and just plain cute. My kids loved this story, and I loved sharing it with them!

Thank you to Rosen Publishing Group for gifting my family with an ARC to review. All opinions are our own. We loved it!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Kiwi-tastic Fun!*
This empowering little story has my 2-year-old gleefully shouting 'KIWICORN!' at every opportunity! The vibrant and whimsical illustrations captivate her attention, while the playful yet meaningful mini-mantras are perfect for building confidence and self-love in little ones. It's a delightful read that brings smiles and positivity, making it a must-have for any child’s bookshelf!

Thank you NetGalley!

[Alice Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this is SO cute!!!!!!!!

More please!!!

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the te reo version, Ko Kiwipihi. Very cute, and very good for the vocabulary of a learner like me 😅

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright and beautiful this book delivers on all fronts! A funny idea with cheery illustrations and cheeky text. Great repetition and use of advanced language. Love it!

Free proof copy provided by Netgalley.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps an unconventional reason to pick up a book, but what a cute one! Not officially one of my 2024 reading challenges, the reading journal from NetGalley came with an alphabet challenge. I have been filling it in passively (only from the ARCs and eARCs that I read) and realized last week that I was down to only a handful of letters not yet represented. I kept seeing this book pop up in a variety of places, and since K was one of the letters left to fill in, I grabbed this eARC from NetGalley.

These illustrations are adorable. While the overall illustration style is simplistic, there are a lot of small details included that add fun depth. Plenty of blank (not "white" because it's colorful) space give this a crisp feeling, not overwhelming. The message is one of self-acceptance as Kiwicorn, who looks different from other hatchlings represented, recites a different series of affirmations on each page. Most are positive, but some are about recognizing that we aren't always our very best selves and that's ok too.

A wonderful addition to shelves where books with this type of loving message circulate well, or where more are needed.

[ThatBookLady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming story celebrates uniqueness with beautiful illustrations and kind, simple words to match, helping children understand emotions and embrace diversity. The book delivers the important message that being different is wonderful. This book is aimed at a younger audience (though I read it to my 5- and 7-year olds and they both thought it was very cute, too). Kiwicorn offers fun self-confidence lessons for young readers. Kids will love it, but parents may be left wanting by the lack of story. If Kiwicorn had a spinoff book or series that was built for a slightly older audience, with more of a plot line, we would read it without question. The illustrations are so adorable and Kiwicorn is ultra lovable. Not quite a 5-star read (because of the text, not the stunning drawings), but the kids and I would give it a 4, knowing that it is definitely meant for a younger listener.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

A weak effort, surprisingly, given Windmill often manage to claim fabulous lost picture books and bring them back from whichever corner of the world in which they were found. Here is a kiwi with a dazzling rainbow bill, as if it's crossed with a unicorn, giving us a handful of those platitudinous affirmations we're supposed to say if we're that way inclined, that are introduced each and every time with some alliteration, and illustrated in a reasonable way. To close, we're told we're all "incredible, independent individuals" – which seems a bit boringly uniform, if we're all supposed to be it. Even considering I'm nowhere near the intended readers here – and just don't ask who those actually are – I can't see much merit to it. Two stars is being generous.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything I have read by Kat Merewether, and this didn’t disappoint. This story teaches children to celebrate who they are, and their uniqueness. It follows Kiwicorn, a kiwi with a rainbow unicorn horn who shares all the ways they are wonderful and unique. I especially love that this extended to fighting for the rights of others!

The pictures are adorable and fun. The book has a rainbow color scheme, so splashes of color are found throughout.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for fun, celebratory way to talk about diversity with their children!

Thank you Rosen Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a lovely little book.

The illustrations are wonderful, nice, bright, clear and very cute!

I really liked the idea behind this book and Kiwicorn is a cute character - who wouldn't love a unicorn Kiwi with a rainbow striped beak!

The book is easy to follow and understand and it is perfect for the age range given too. This could easily be a character that has it's own little series of books, or even TV and I am cure the kids would love it - much better than some of the other stuff currently out there - lots of positive messages!

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

[Sirah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kiwicorn spends most of this book chanting positive affirmations about all the many ways you could describe them. Smart, polite, a tree-hugger, and all kinds of things. Kiwicorn offers a bit of encouragement for the reader too.

So, Kiwicorn is a kiwi bird with a big ol rainbow beak that resembles a unicorn horn. I think this deserved a bit more explanation. Affirmations are fun and all, and I like the sheer variety of descriptions that Kiwicorn thinks up. But I don't think Kiwicorn is as cute as they think they are, which kind of ruined the book for me.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiwicorn is an adorable picture book about a Kiwi with a rainbow striped beak. I absolutely LOVED the illustrations. They were so fun and colorful. I was a little disappointed that this book didn't have more of a story (it was really just listing qualities that Kiwicorn possessed) That being said, I think it would be a great motivational book for youngsters!

Thanks to NetGalley, Kat Merewether, and Rosen Publishing for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and positive book with beautiful and vibrant pictures. After each question (“Who is strong, sassy, and smart?”), my daughter would say “Me!” Some of the words were beyond her vocabulary and some were a little difficult for me to explain, but it did open up good conversation. My three year old was a little less interested, but he did like the cute kiwi.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy to review.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book is so colorful and cute! Just adorable! And a great message ... that its ok and fun to be unique. Adorable artwork.

Not very many words in this 32 page book, just right for beginning readers.

Publication date is August 2024.

Many thanks to NetGalley, author Kat Merewether and publisher Windmill Books for approving my request to read the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in New Zealand it is mandatory for a kiwi to be your favourite animal. In special cases, like that of my daughter, you’re allowed to have a secondary favourite and her’s is a unicorn. This meant that Kiwicorn by Kat Quin (Merewether) was right up her alley.

My 4 year old absolutely loved this gorgeous tale of Kiwicorn and their uniqueness. We have been struggling with emotions lately. Having things written out like this made it a great way to talk more in-depth about the various feelings. They also work as little affirmations for those adults who are still young at heart!

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous with vibrant colour that kept my daughter’s attention.

We had to read the story again as soon as her dad got home so she could “read” the Kiwicorn part. This is one we will be adding to our shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and Rosen Publishing for giving us the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Bente Pompen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kiwicorn is a cute picture book featuring a fluffy kiwi with a rainbow horn that resembles a narwhal. The book is filled with positive affirmations and vibrant illustrations. As an adult, I feel like this is just another book about affirmations. But the illustrations are really adorable. Children are likely to enjoy this book as a read-aloud, especially since they can enthusiastically shout "KIWICORN!" whenever a question is asked.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiwicorn is a fun little story about a kiwi who has a rainbow unicorn horn in place of a beak. Cute illustrations and alliterative rhymes covering topics like self-acceptance, standing up for what you believe in and being a tidy Kiwi. Didn’t resonate so much with my 2.5 year old but I liked the messages and will try it again when he’s a bit older.

[Garance J. Bonadonna (The Nerdy Artivist) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this pictures book when I was in New Zealand and I just fell in love with it. The cute illustrations, the vibrant colours. The celebration of being different and unique. It's great to have books like that for kids to teach them confidence and self-love.
I would highly recommend this, five full stars!

[Katarzyna Szopka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very cute and colourful book!

Little one and I really enjoyed reading this book together. This book will be great especially for little older kids.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who want to read fun and exciting book with their kid.
You can definitely make the book very interactive while you read it.

[Bexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book. I read it with my 7 year old daughter. She loved that Kiwicorn had a rainbow horn and described it as “beautiful”. I loved its empowering message to embrace our differences and celebrate all that makes us different.

This book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ameema S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the wide range of adjectives in this book, but I had been hoping for a bit more plot. It was well illustrated? and had a sweet message about the many things that make us us, and that make us special, but I wish there had been more story!

I received an advanced digital copy from the publisher, through Netgalley.

[Shannon]

This is one of the most adorable books I have read all year and it's a must read. The illustrations make this book.
It's a story about all the unique and awesome things that this sweet character KiwiCorn has to offer..
Such a fun book to read over and over. I will be purchasing this for a few people when it's released on 11/3/24.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

[Magic of Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Kiwicorn #NetGalley

I received a copy of this children's book from NetGalley.

Such an adorable book with a lovely yet simple story! Perfect read-aloud as well. Kiwicorn is such an inspiration for being self-confident and encourages us to celebrate the person we are! The rainbow pattern extends throughout the book and it is so beautiful!