Review of Unicorns Know Magic
Posted: 31 May 2024, 08:08
[Following is a volunteer review of "Unicorns Know Magic" by Charles Adkins.]
“Unicorns Know Magic” by Charles T. Adkins, with delightful illustrations by Ros Webb, is a charming and enchanting tale that invites young readers into a world where unicorns and children become the best of neighbors. This whimsical story follows a family of unicorns—Abby, Georgia, Bitsy, and Chase—who move in next door to a boy and his sister, bringing a touch of magic and adventure to their lives.
The unicorns, originating from the moon after a stint on Mars, settle in a magnificent eight-story home, which they built themselves, each with a bedroom furnished with both a bed and a stall. Abby can juggle at least fifty balls; Georgia is a roller-skating whiz; Bitsy stands on her head for extended periods; and Chase, the musical prodigy, sings and plays the guitar. Their extraordinary abilities captivate the children, who quickly become friends.
The narrative takes the reader on a fantastical journey as the unicorns and children fly to Paris, France. They explored iconic landmarks, learned how to say words like “Oui, "Madame,” and Bonjour” in French, savoured local delicacies like croissants, and even met the Queen when they arrived in London. Back home, the unicorns demonstrate their intelligence at school; they know all the answers to the questions being asked, and they show kindness too by helping the children plant a garden and tidy their home, teaching valuable life lessons along the way.
The story beautifully weaves themes of friendship, adventure, and the joy of learning new things. It highlights the importance of kindness, cleanliness, and helpfulness, as demonstrated by the unicorn's actions. The unicorn's ability to know what each day brings and to sense emotions goes to show that unicorns know magic and do magical things. Children aged 2–6 will find this book beneficial as it enhances their reading and spelling abilities through its rhythmic and engaging prose. The adventures and the interaction with the unicorns foster imagination and curiosity, while the practical lessons in cleanliness and good manners are subtly embedded within the fun narrative.
Ros Webb’s illustrations add a vibrant and fanciful touch to the story, making it visually appealing for young readers. However, I feel the drawings could have been executed better, with improved picture quality and more skillful blending of colours to enhance the visual experience. The drawing and colouring are not as polished as I had expected. Additionally, the absence of names for the children is a drawback and a personal dislike of mine, as it can make it challenging for young readers to form a deeper connection with the characters. Personalising the children with names would have added a layer of relatability and engagement. Apart from these minor critiques, there isn’t anything else to dislike about the book. It was professionally edited; I didn’t find any errors while reading. The smooth flow and engaging language are suitable for young readers. The book is a delightful read-aloud book, perfect for bedtime stories or classroom readings.
“Unicorns Know Magic” is a beautifully crafted tale that combines adventure, magic, and life lessons in a way that is both entertaining and educational for young children. The book’s enchanting story, coupled with its valuable messages, makes it a wonderful addition to any child’s library. While the pictorial illustrations and character development could benefit from some improvement, the overall charm and educational value of the book are undeniable; hence, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Unicorns Know Magic
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“Unicorns Know Magic” by Charles T. Adkins, with delightful illustrations by Ros Webb, is a charming and enchanting tale that invites young readers into a world where unicorns and children become the best of neighbors. This whimsical story follows a family of unicorns—Abby, Georgia, Bitsy, and Chase—who move in next door to a boy and his sister, bringing a touch of magic and adventure to their lives.
The unicorns, originating from the moon after a stint on Mars, settle in a magnificent eight-story home, which they built themselves, each with a bedroom furnished with both a bed and a stall. Abby can juggle at least fifty balls; Georgia is a roller-skating whiz; Bitsy stands on her head for extended periods; and Chase, the musical prodigy, sings and plays the guitar. Their extraordinary abilities captivate the children, who quickly become friends.
The narrative takes the reader on a fantastical journey as the unicorns and children fly to Paris, France. They explored iconic landmarks, learned how to say words like “Oui, "Madame,” and Bonjour” in French, savoured local delicacies like croissants, and even met the Queen when they arrived in London. Back home, the unicorns demonstrate their intelligence at school; they know all the answers to the questions being asked, and they show kindness too by helping the children plant a garden and tidy their home, teaching valuable life lessons along the way.
The story beautifully weaves themes of friendship, adventure, and the joy of learning new things. It highlights the importance of kindness, cleanliness, and helpfulness, as demonstrated by the unicorn's actions. The unicorn's ability to know what each day brings and to sense emotions goes to show that unicorns know magic and do magical things. Children aged 2–6 will find this book beneficial as it enhances their reading and spelling abilities through its rhythmic and engaging prose. The adventures and the interaction with the unicorns foster imagination and curiosity, while the practical lessons in cleanliness and good manners are subtly embedded within the fun narrative.
Ros Webb’s illustrations add a vibrant and fanciful touch to the story, making it visually appealing for young readers. However, I feel the drawings could have been executed better, with improved picture quality and more skillful blending of colours to enhance the visual experience. The drawing and colouring are not as polished as I had expected. Additionally, the absence of names for the children is a drawback and a personal dislike of mine, as it can make it challenging for young readers to form a deeper connection with the characters. Personalising the children with names would have added a layer of relatability and engagement. Apart from these minor critiques, there isn’t anything else to dislike about the book. It was professionally edited; I didn’t find any errors while reading. The smooth flow and engaging language are suitable for young readers. The book is a delightful read-aloud book, perfect for bedtime stories or classroom readings.
“Unicorns Know Magic” is a beautifully crafted tale that combines adventure, magic, and life lessons in a way that is both entertaining and educational for young children. The book’s enchanting story, coupled with its valuable messages, makes it a wonderful addition to any child’s library. While the pictorial illustrations and character development could benefit from some improvement, the overall charm and educational value of the book are undeniable; hence, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Unicorns Know Magic
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
