Review of NICO

[Ika Apo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "NICO" by Marlene Rattigan.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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NICO by Marlene Rattigan is a short illustrated children’s book about a sulfur-crested cockatoo that loves to entertain audiences. Once he is mainly left home alone, Nico stops eating and becomes sad, so his owners (young Kim and her mother) take him to their flower shop, where he has a larger audience to perform for. However, these flower shop visits weren’t trouble-free, as Nico got himself into a dangerous situation. See what happens to him next! 

This book was one of the most heartwarming ones. First and foremost, the illustrations are colorful, fun, eye-catching, and on point. They expressed the situation easily and clearly, which is very important for children. Additionally, the story was fun and interesting to me. I am usually very skeptical about children’s books, understanding their importance to a kid's development. The plot was more realistic than what I usually read in children’s books, so that’s appreciated by me. Additionally, the last few pages of the book are dedicated to factual information about the species; therefore, the book contains educational content. I always appreciate such based-on-truth books that not only entertain a child but also teach them about real facts. I came across no errors in the book, which proves the exceptional editing of the book. Overall, I am delighted with this book, as it’s not illusory, is based on truth, the font and its size are compatible with children’s books in my opinion, and I enjoyed the story. 

There was absolutely nothing I disliked about this book. My only concern was that the font color varied between black and white between pages, but I realize it was for the better perception of the text, so I have no problem with that. 

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for all the abovementioned positive aspects. I found nothing to dislike in this story. 

I recommend this book to children aged 2–5 years old. I am sure a lot of them will love this book. I’d advise the parents to skim-read the book before buying it to make sure it matches their parenting goals. Both the author and the illustrator have done a great job carrying out this book. 

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NICO
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