Uni the Unicorn looks exactly like little girls want unicorns to look like ─ silky white with sparkles in her coat, impossibly pink mane and tail, dainty golden hooves, dazzling gems for eyes, swirly white horn that can mend any hurt. Uni the Unicorn also acts like little girls want unicorns to act ─ noble, regal, happy, and steadfast in her belief in the impossible.
This time, the impossible is a clever twist on little girls believing in unicorns. Unlike all the other unicorns in the field, Uni the Unicorn believes in little girls. Her parents shake their horny heads at her, and encourage her to rethink her beliefs and spend her time more wisely. But Uni believes that somewhere there is a strong, smart, wonderful girl waiting to play with her.
Uni imagines all the wonderful things she’ll do with this little girl once she finds her, like runnning fast through the meadow, spinning and twirling in the sunlight, exploring their world and helping forest creatures in need. Sometimes they’d just sit quietly and talk about important things. (And of course they would slide down rainbows together!)
Uni believes. In a way only little kids really can.
What Uni doesn’t know—but readers soon do know—is that she is right. There is a little girl who is also teased by her friends for believing in something magical. This little girl believes in unicorns. She believes there is a strong, smart, wonderful unicorn waiting to play with her.
Each is waiting and hoping for the other, waiting for the chance to be friends.
Should your child get swept away by the magic in this tale, there are activities and even a song about Uni. These items and more are available at http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/uni-unicorn/.
Anything by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is clever and funny, sweet and smart—she writes the types of books that you want in your child’s lap. The humor in them is so very intelligent. Her clever lines make the reader think just a bit more and work just a bit more to understand and smile at the humor. We are fans of her in our house. There’s not a lot of Rosenthal’s wittiness in this book (besides the obvious and clever twist of unicorns believing in little girls), but there is a wonderful lesson in believing in that which you believe in, and maybe just maybe you’ll meet someone who holds the same belief as you. And maybe just maybe you’ll get to call that person “friend.” Fingers crossed!
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
URL: www.randomhousekids.com
Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million!
MSRP: approximately $12
Ages: 4-8 years
Readability: 5
Illustrations: 5
Kept My Children’s Interest: 5
Appealed to Advertised Age: 5
I Would Purchase for My Child: Yes
I Would Purchase as a Gift: Yes
Overall Rating: 5
All ratings on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Kate Schwarz is a full-time mom and wife living in Great Falls, VA. In addition to being a reader to her three small children, Kate is a writer, distance runner, Crossfitter and blogger of raising kids with books at www.katesbookery.blogspot.com.
