children’s book review | April 9, 2019
celebrate unicorn day with magical books about… unicorns
what do unicorns have? why do we love them so much! Is it the familiarity of their horse bodies that draws us to feel that we know them as companions? Just by adding a mythical horn (a few sparkles and possibly a rainbow mane), suddenly a familiar and friendly animal is elevated to majestic and magical… an imaginary and legendary creature that looks like it could really exist. the idea of a unicorn feels both safe and fantastic!
You are reading: Children’s books about unicorns
In celebration of Unicorn Day (and every other day a little magic is required), here are some of our favorite books about these splendid icons of wonderland…
A Unicorn Named Sparkle
A Unicorn Named Sparklewritten and illustrated by amy young
Editor’s Synopsis: When Lucy sees a newspaper ad for a unicorn, she sends in her quarter and waits four to six long weeks for her very own unicorn to arrive. She imagines the flowers that she will braid into her beautiful pink mane, and even chooses the perfect name for it: glitter. but when the shine comes, his ears are too long, his horn is too short, he smells funny and, oh, he has fleas. Lucy is not happy, but in the end she is encouraged to shine and realizes that although he was not exactly the unicorn that she wanted, he could be just what she needs.
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from 2 to 6 years old | editorial: farrar, straus and giroux | September 11, 2018 | isbn-13: 978-0374308728
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Greatwritten and illustrated by bob shea
Editor’s synopsis: Ever since the unicorn moved into the neighborhood, the goat hasn’t been feeling well. The goat thought her bike was cool, until she saw that the unicorn could fly to school! the goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but the unicorn made it rain cupcakes! the unicorn is so boastful, how can the goat compete? When the goat and the unicorn share a slice of pizza, the goat learns that being a unicorn may not be all it’s cracked up to be. and when the unicorn shows his admiration for the goat, it seems like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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from 2 to 6 years old | publisher: disney-hyperion | June 25, 2013 | isbn-13: 978-1423159520
You Are My Magical Unicorn
You Are My Magical Unicornwritten and illustrated by joyce wan
Editor’s Synopsis: Shine and dazzle wherever you go. You are more amazing than you think!
Do you believe in magic? With Joyce Wan, the sky’s the limit in this charming and uplifting storybook featuring an adorable unicorn and an even more loving message of hope, persistence, and heart. and at the end of the story you can’t help but snuggle up with your very own magical unicorn to remind them “baby, I believe in you!”
A wonderful celebration of the magical spark in every child from today’s preeminent creator of picture books and boards!
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from 3 to 5 years old | Publisher: Wagon Wheel Books | December 26, 2018 | isbn-13: 978-1338334104
Thelma the Unicorn
Thelma the Unicornwritten and illustrated by aaron blabey
Editor’s synopsis: Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then, in a rare pink and shimmery moment of fate, Thelma’s wish comes true.
She achieves instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. after a while, thelma realizes that she was happier than her normal, dull self. so she takes off her horn, takes off her sparkles and goes home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.
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from 3 to 7 years old | Publisher: Scholastic Press | October 31, 2017 | isbn-13: 978-1338158427
Not Quite Narwhal
Not Quite NarwhalSee Also: Lisa Unger – Book Series In Order
written and illustrated by jessie sima
Publisher’s synopsis: Following in the tradition of uni the unicorn and gaston, this heartwarming and adorable first picture book tells the story of a young unicorn who was born under the sea into a family of narwhals.
Growing up in the ocean, Kelp always assumed he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he’s always been a bit different: his tusk isn’t that long, he’s not that good of a swimmer, and he doesn’t really enjoy cooking. then one night, an extra-strong current drags algae to the surface, where he sees a mysterious creature that looks just like him. Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. the revelation leaves him torn: is he a terrestrial narwhal or a sea unicorn? But maybe, if the seaweed is smart, he can find a way to have the best of both worlds.
Told with poignant illustrations and understated, sweet text, Jessie Sima’s first picture book is about fitting in, standing out, and the all-encompassing love of family.
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from 4 to 8 years old | Publisher: Simon & schuster books for young readers | 14 February 2017 | isbn-13: 978-1481469098
uni the unicorn
written by amy krouse rosenthal
illustrated by brigette barrager
Publisher’s synopsis: The new york times best-selling story about friendship, unicorns and the power of belief is now available as a board book. uni is like all other unicorns. . . except for one thing: she thinks little girls are real. This magical story by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (author of I Wish You More) illuminates the not-so-fantastic dream of college and celebrates the spark of belief. This enchanting board book edition will have young readers gliding down glorious rainbows of friendship alongside Uni and the girl she so believes in. be sure to look out for the delightful sequel, uni the unicorn and the dream come true,available in a hardcover picture book.
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from 4 to 8 years old | Editorial: Random Books for Young Readers | August 26, 2014 | isbn-13: 978-0385375559
You Don’t Want a Unicorn
You Don’t Want a Unicornwritten by ame dyckman
illustrated by liz clima
Editor’s Synopsis: Be careful what pet you wish for in the latest picture book from fan-favorite author Ame Dyckman and rising star illustrator Liz Climo.
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from 4 to 8 years old | Editorial: Little Brown Books for Young Readers | 14 February 2017 | isbn-13: 978-0316343473
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
Phoebe and Her Unicornwritten and illustrated by dana simpson
Editor’s synopsis: a boy and his dog. . . a girl and her . . unicorn?
It all started when a girl named Phoebe threw a rock across a pond and accidentally hit a unicorn in the face. This improbably led to Phoebe being granted a wish, and she used it to make the unicorn, Marigold Celestial Nose, her obligatory best friend. But can a vain mythical beast and a nine-year-old dreamer really make a connection? in fact they can, and that’s how phoebe and her unicorn develops.
This beautifully drawn comic strip follows the unlikely friendship between a somewhat clumsy girl and the magical unicorn who slowly shows her just how special she really is. Through hilarious adventures in which Phoebe basks in Marigold’s “coolness,” the friends also come to recognize that they had been lonely before they met and truly appreciate the bond they now share.
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from 7 to 10 years old | editorial: editorial andrews mcmeel | September 2, 2014 | isbn-13: 978-1449446208
The Magical Unicorn Society Official Handbook
The Magical Unicorn Society Official Handbookwritten by selwyn e. phipps
illustrated by helen dardik, harry goldhawk and zanna goldhawk
publisher synopsis: an animatedly illustrated official guide to all things unicorn, from the magical society of unicorns. After centuries of mystery, the mythical society of the magical unicorn has published its official manual.
These unicorn-loving scholars have created a veritable treasure trove of unicorn lore: the facts, the fiction, the where, why and what of these elusive creatures. find out where unicorns really live around the world, how to find them and what they eat, learn how to care for them, what powers they have, how to tempt, train and even ride them, and much more.
featuring stunning artwork by helen dardik and harry and zanna goldhawk, this special book is the ultimate gift for true believers.
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from 8 to 11 years old | publisher: feiwel & friends | September 18, 2018 | isbn-13: 978-1250206190
the search for the unicorn
written by kamilla benko
Editor’s Synopsis: Claire Martinson still worries about her older sister, Sophie, who battled a mysterious illness last year. But things return to normal when they move into Windermere Manor… until the sisters climb a strange staircase in a chimney and enter the magical land of Arden.
There, they find a world in crisis. the four guilds of magic no longer trust each other. the beloved unicorns are gone, and terrible specters roam free. frightened, the girls return home. But when Sophie goes missing, it will take all of Claire’s courage to climb back up the ladder, find her sister, and discover the unicorns’ greatest secret.
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from 8 to 12 years old | editorial: bloomsbury usa kids | February 6, 2018 | isbn-13: 978-1681192451
and a special mention for the llamacorns…
I love my llamacorn
written by random house
illustrated by prisca le tandé
Editor’s Synopsis: The cutest half-unicorn, half-llama you can imagine comes to life in this rainbow-colored board book!
Do you love llamas? how about unicorns? Now imagine if you put them together and added a zillion rainbows, glitter and some magic! you’d get a new best friend in the form of… a llamacorn!
Llamacorns are shiny, woolly creatures that are full of love and kindness and can make all your dreams come true. In this rhyming board book, a die-cut heart sparkles a new color of the rainbow on every page! children and adults alike will laugh and swoon over this fantastical creature, delightfully rendered in striking jewel tones.
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from 2 to 5 years old | Editorial: Random Books for Young Readers | June 4, 2019 | isbn-13: 978-0593122068
The article 10 Lovely Children’s Books About Unicorns was curated by Bianca Schulze. For books and similar items, follow our content tagged with unicorns.
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