Over the summer I was doing a lot of research for some articles and crafts I was doing for Little Acorn Learning. Honestly, I’ve never known much about unicorns, so when I got the assignment I happily dove in. What we discovered were some incredible legends and stories. Here is our look at reading about Unicorns. There are so many wonderful reads out there that I’m going to have to share them with you in two parts.
Today we’ll look at picture books through early to young readers. Important to note, this is just a book list and not a book review list. All of the text has been provided by the publishers.
Favorite Reads About Unicorns
Picture Books:
WHERE HAVE THE UNICORNS GONE?
Ruth Sanderson and Jane Yolen
Long ago, unicorns lived in a haven of sun-dappled glades and flower-filled dells. But as civilization spread over the ages–with its fierce knights, chugging trains, and thick smogs–unicorns had to find a new sanctuary. But where? Jane Yolen finds a magical answer in the traditional unicorn myth stories. Her rhythmic, rhymed text is irresistible to read aloud. And Ruth Sanderson’s brilliant artwork gives unicorns a bold reality in everything from ancient cave paintings to their secret, present-day home. We love this one for reading snuggled up together aloud.
THE DRAGON AND THE UNICORN
A.A. Attanasio
This is a stirring Dragon Unicorn environmental story about preserving old-growth forests. With help from the king’s young daughter, Valerio the dragon and Allegra the unicorn convince King Orlando to stop cutting down trees and preserve a part of the forest for humans and animals to share. Beautiful full color unicorn and dragon picture story illustrations make this one a real treasure.
UNICORN RACES
Stephen J Brooks
A beautiful children’s book in which a little girl named Abigail takes on her secret role as a princess of the faerie realm each night and presides over a wonderful race of unicorns. The story is elegantly simple and well told, and lavishly illustrated throughout by Linda Crockett.
The Midnight Unicorn
Neil Reed
A little girl who loves unicorns. A beloved statue that comes to life. An unforgettable and exhilarating journey. With its combination of magical story, stunningly realistic art, and shimmering spot-lamination throughout, this lovely picture book will enchant children again and again.
Children will feel their imagination take flight along with the title character as they enjoy Neil Reed’s captivating tale of a very special midnight ride.
More than anything, Millie loves the statue of the unicorn at her park. Its closed eyes, gentle mouth, and kind smile always make her happy. Then, one day, as she presses her hands against the statue’s neck, she feels a shiver run through the stone: marble has become flesh and the unicorn has come alive. And riding on his back, Millie soars up, up, up, into the sky, over forest and lakes, through storms and lighting, to the land where unicorns still play….
With images so realistic they almost seem photographed, and spot-lamination that makes the stars-and lots more on the page-shine, this beautiful story will become a perennial favorite.
Claire and the Unicorn Happy Ever After
B.G. Hennessy
Once Upon A Time, a little girl called Claire and her stuffed unicorn, Capricorn, were very fond of fairy tales. Every night Claire’s father read them stories of frog princes and fairy princesses, and every night every character lived happily ever after. Then one evening, just as a story came to its close, Claire suddenly wondered: What, exactly, makes someone happy forever? It was a question to answer as she slept. So Claire hugged Capricorn, and together they drifted into a dreamland adventure.
Early and Young Readers
Unicorn Wings
Mallory Loehr
“I wish I had wings.” The white unicorn can heal wounds with his horn. He can make rainbows. But what he really wants is to fly. So he sets off on a quest–past birds and butterflies–to find wings of his own.
A charming Step 2 title with a ton of girl appeal.
Unicorns
Lucille Recht Penner
Persian unicorns are fierce fighters. Japanese unicorns are just. European unicorns are peaceful. But all unicorns have one thing in common. They are magic! Learn all about unicorn legends, including why people truly believed in them, in this fascinating companion to Dragons.
Beautiful full-color illustrations accompany the easy-to-read text.
The Unicorn’s Tale Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist, Book 4) (Nathanial Fludd, Beastologist
R.L. LaFevers
Is there no rest for the travel worn and weary? Not if you’re Nathaniel Fludd, the world’s youngest beastologist-in-training! All Nate really wants is to track down his missing parents, but when a unicorn falls mysteriously ill, Nate’s Aunt Phil makes it clear where a beastologist’s duty lies: to the beasts.
And if taking care of the world’s beasts isn’t difficult enough, Nate and Aunt Phil must also keep them safe from the villainous Obediah Fludd, who intends to do them harm. With all this taking up every last bit of his energy and time, will Nate ever find the parents he is so absolutely convinced are alive?
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This list would have thoroughly excited the young ten-year-old me. Oddly, unicorns still have appeal to a certain group of young people today.
A few that I’ve seen that you didn’t include are the Morgan and Yew books by Stephen Cosgrove. Those are pretty nice, too.
Thank you so much for your recommendations. I’ll be happy to put them on the list. This was our first foray into the world of unicorns and I have to admit they we are smitten.
We LOVE the dragon and the unicorn book! It is one of our faves.