Official Review: The ogre and the Unicorn

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 30 Sep 2020, 14:17

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The ogre and the Unicorn" by Linda Prettyman.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The Ogre and the Unicorn by Linda Prettyman is an enchanting children's book about kindness, friendship, and compassion. From the beginning, it reads like a fairy tale: "Once there was a beautiful unicorn." The unicorn befriends a sad ogre, and after learning that he has been treated unkindly, she is surprised by the sadness she feels. As the story unfolds, the unlikely friends discover that they have a special connection.

This magical picture book teaches age-appropriate themes of good versus evil, compassion, kindness, rejection, jealousy, friendship, sadness, acceptance, and love to young readers. The fairy tale features a trio of good fairies and a wicked yet pretty witch. Their roles in the story eventually reveal a surprising connection between the unicorn and the ogre, and the friends also learn more about themselves.

Sabrina Van Wagoner illustrates the book beautifully, and I especially like that her colorful illustrations capture the characters' emotions and personalities. The readers can feel the ogre's sadness, see tears of compassion in the eyes of the lovely unicorn, and imagine that the wood fairies are good but slightly mischief. I also appreciate the inclusion of an evil witch who is not stereotypically ugly, which reinforces the message that beauty and goodness do not always go hand in hand.

As the picture book is also exceptionally edited, I am unable to name anything I dislike about this charming story. I can picture an older sibling reading it to younger siblings; the sweet ending is sure to delight children of various ages. Additionally, the delightful illustrations complement the fairy tale perfectly.

It is my pleasure to rate The Ogre and the Unicorn 4 out of 4 stars. It is an excellent story for teaching children about compassion and accepting others. I recommend it to young readers through the age of 10, parents, teachers, and grandparents.

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The ogre and the Unicorn
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

07 Oct 2020, 23:56

I enjoy books that instill good values in children and teach them compassion. Great job with the review.

Tablito · Post by **Tablito** » 08 Oct 2020, 00:23

Linda conveys a wise message. Beauty and goodness do not always go hand in hand, the evil witch was not ugly.

Saint Bruno · Post by **Saint Bruno** » 08 Oct 2020, 02:16

I am sure my niece will find this book very fascinating. Thanks for the wonderful review and recommendation.

Kevivas03 · Post by **Kevivas03** » 08 Oct 2020, 04:53

Children's stories always leave me nostalgic. This book is no exception. I used to always fantasize about unicorns growing up, so I fell in love with the book from the beginning.

Joan642 · Post by **Joan642** » 08 Oct 2020, 05:19

I always appreciate books that teaches children valuable lessons. Thanks for your nice review.

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 08 Oct 2020, 05:49

I love books that teach children about empathy--it's an important feeling. The main character is able to put herself in the ogre's shoes and feel sadness and thus sympathatize with the sullen emotion. This sounds like a great book and I will definitely read it to my kids. It teaches kindness, and that's something we desperately need in our world. Thanks for the lovely review.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 08 Oct 2020, 08:09

Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: ↑08 Oct 2020, 05:49 I love books that teach children about empathy--it's an important feeling. The main character is able to put herself in the ogre's shoes and feel sadness and thus sympathatize with the sullen emotion. This sounds like a great book and I will definitely read it to my kids. It teaches kindness, and that's something we desperately need in our world. Thanks for the lovely review.

Thank you, Stephanie!

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 08 Oct 2020, 08:10

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑07 Oct 2020, 23:56 I enjoy books that instill good values in children and teach them compassion. Great job with the review.

Thank you!

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 08 Oct 2020, 08:11

Tablito wrote: ↑08 Oct 2020, 00:23 Linda conveys a wise message. Beauty and goodness do not always go hand in hand, the evil witch was not ugly.

Thanks for your comment.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 08 Oct 2020, 08:12

Saint Bruno wrote: ↑08 Oct 2020, 02:16 I am sure my niece will find this book very fascinating. Thanks for the wonderful review and recommendation.

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 08 Oct 2020, 08:13

Kevivas03 wrote: ↑08 Oct 2020, 04:53 Children's stories always leave me nostalgic. This book is no exception. I used to always fantasize about unicorns growing up, so I fell in love with the book from the beginning.

Thanks for your comment.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 08 Oct 2020, 08:14

Joan642 wrote: ↑08 Oct 2020, 05:19 I always appreciate books that teaches children valuable lessons. Thanks for your nice review.

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment.

Kate Park · Post by **Kate Park** » 08 Oct 2020, 21:44

I thought that you decribed the book quite well with your descriptive and insightful review. Books that have great illustrations are always much more fun to read to kids!

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 09 Oct 2020, 21:07

Kate Park wrote: ↑08 Oct 2020, 21:44 I thought that you decribed the book quite well with your descriptive and insightful review. Books that have great illustrations are always much more fun to read to kids!

Thank you, Kate.