Twinkle, Twinkle, Unicorn

April 15, 2019
A young unicorn frolics with friends and family to the tune and lyric structure of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Predictably, the singable text reads: "Twinkle, Twinkle, unicorn, / sparkle with your magic horn. // Leaping over clouds so high, / like a diamond in the sky." Each double-page spread shows the titular creature, yellow and with a rainbow mane, tail, and horn, leaping over rainbows, cavorting with bumblebees, and dancing with a pink bunny, among others. As night falls, the unicorn enjoys a story from what are likely parental figures, an older pink unicorn sporting a necklace and a blue unicorn with bow tie (it seems gender stereotypes exist among legendary creatures, too). Waring's childlike art is a candy-colored explosion, with big-eyed critters, both legendary and real, all with chunky, toddler-esque physiques. While the verse is nothing new ("Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" has arguably been rewritten more than any other children's song) and there is little substance, it scans and sings relatively easily. Youngsters will be drawn to the sparkly rainbow on the cover. For the youngest of unicorn fanatics; others may want to look for their magic elsewhere. (Board book. 2-4)

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May 20, 2019
This sparkly board book puts a unicorn-themed twist on “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” An adorably stocky unicorn with pink cheeks; a candy-colored, yarnlike mane and tail; and a stripy horn engages in unicorn play—flying a kite, “leaping over clouds so high,” and frolicking in an idyllic meadowland. Joining the unicorn are smiling “friends who want to play,” including a pink and white bunny, a butterfly, a frog, and a duck. As the sun begins to set, the unicorn runs through the meadow, leaving a path of rainbows behind. An evening flight (“dancing, prancing through the night”) brings the little unicorn back home, where her parents tuck her in and read a bedtime story. An inviting first unicorn tale. Ages 1–5.