If I Had a Unicorn
Written by Gabby Dawnay
Mom's Review
If I Had a Unicorn is funny and cute, with references to medieval tapestry and modern children's lit. This is the third installment in the the If I Had a... series from Barrow and Dawnay, and fourth book of theirs that we've read. We loved the cameos by characters we already know!
When a unicorn leaps off the tapestry in response to a little girl's wishes for a pet, a cotton-candy filled adventure awaits. They make the garden grow, transform the girl's grunge-loving, guitar-playing sibling into a pink-clad, pan-pipe musician, eat sugary treats, and invite everyone to a movie night. ("Everyone" includes all the magical pets that the little girl can't have.) The only downside, and T's favorite part, is that the unicorn does indeed poop. It's rainbow-colored. This is the pinnacle of humor in our house.
Illustrated by Alex Barrow
Published by Thames and Hudson, September 15, 2020
Mom's Review
If I Had a Unicorn is funny and cute, with references to medieval tapestry and modern children's lit. This is the third installment in the the If I Had a... series from Barrow and Dawnay, and fourth book of theirs that we've read. We loved the cameos by characters we already know!
When a unicorn leaps off the tapestry in response to a little girl's wishes for a pet, a cotton-candy filled adventure awaits. They make the garden grow, transform the girl's grunge-loving, guitar-playing sibling into a pink-clad, pan-pipe musician, eat sugary treats, and invite everyone to a movie night. ("Everyone" includes all the magical pets that the little girl can't have.) The only downside, and T's favorite part, is that the unicorn does indeed poop. It's rainbow-colored. This is the pinnacle of humor in our house.
If I Had a Unicorn is a hit because of the humor, the rhythm, the cuteness, and the familiarity of characters. Some words are replaced with illustrations, allowing T to join in the recitation; we both get into the rhythm of the reading. Barrow's style of illustration is adorable, and the imaginative storyline is fun. In contrast to If I Had a Sleepy Sloth, which imparts facts about the slow-mover, If I Had a Unicorn is pure fantasy. If your little one likes unicorns, I'd wager s/he'll like this.
Son's Review
(Age: 5)
Her suit reminds me of Madeline. If it were all yellow with just a blue ribbon, she would look just like Madeline.
I do not think they [unicorns] fly. And I know a secret: they don't in our books. But in this one they do.
The pixie guy is my favorite. The giant and the dragon are from Mouse a House [sic]. That's all I recognize. Look, Mommy! Mouse and Bear and Sloth! And look, her walls are painted like the museum. And that's the castle from Mouse a House.
Let's go, unicorns! Let's go, unis!
I like unicorny multicolored poop. I would like a unicorn because I think it would be cool. Unicorny multicolored poop!
Summary:
Unicorn born in a painting, but it comes alive from a painting like a zombie, and the girl finds a unicorn. Then unicorn and girl be friends. The End.
Extra:
Also by Gabby Dawnay and Alex Barrow
Note: A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
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