Review - Uni the Unicorn

Uni the Unicorn (Uni the Unicorn #1)
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
illustrated by Brigette Barrager
Date: 2014
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

In this clever twist on the age-old belief that there’s no such thing as unicorns, Uni the unicorn is told there’s no such thing as little girls! No matter what the grown-up unicorns say, Uni believes that little girls are real. Somewhere there must be a smart, strong, wonderful, magical little girl waiting to be best friends. In fact, far away (but not too far), a real little girl believes there is a unicorn waiting for her. This refreshing and sweet story of friendship reminds believers and nonbelievers alike that sometimes wishes really can come true.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

There's not much of a plot to this little story (the synopsis pretty much covers it), but it's still a fun book.  I thought the unicorn who believes in little girls was actually pretty amusing, and the charming pictures that illustrate the story are really what make it work.  Barrager apparently spent some time working with Disney and Pixar, and the illustrations in this book are definitely reminiscent of some of the retro-styled animation we've seen from them.

I can see this being popular with little girls, even if they just want to enjoy the book over and over by looking at the adorable illustrations.  It's one of the cuter kids' books I've seen in a while.

Quotable moment:

But Uni was certain, absolutely certain, that little girls were real, no matter what everyone else said.

Uni knew that somewhere far away (but not that far away), there was a little girl waiting... a strong smart wonderful magical little girl.

And she would be the best friend a unicorn could ever ask for.

Recommended to: little fans of magical beasts and readers who enjoy seeing a belief in the supernatural turned on its head

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5