Unicorn Night

July 15, 2021
A cheery nighttime routine. The duo behind Unicorn Day (2019) tackles the next logical question: What do unicorns do at night? After nonstop rainbow-sliding, cupcake-eating, and, of course, twirling, drowsy unicorns wind down. They don't brush their teeth, but they do need to shine their horns before bed. They also "brush their manes, / as soft as silk, / and have a sip / of moonbeam milk." Bedtime stories are shared and cloud pillows are fluffed as eyelids slowly close. But wait! The unicorns startle awake. They forgot to sing their song! Unlike the energetic previous outing, which promotes fun, fun, fun, this lullaby is filled with moonlight, fairies, and lulling sounds. "Neigh, neigh, neigh, played all day, / time to sleep the night away!" The music drifts down to the forest floor, soothing all the woodland creatures as they prepare for bed too. Flowers employs deep purples and blues for a dusk setting, but the unicorns' blankets, sleep masks, hair, and horns are all still bright and colorful, keeping the joviality intact. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the tiny, purple dragon hiding on most pages. This bedtime book doesn't bring much new to the genre, except...unicorns! Mythical-creature aficionados won't be able to resist. (Picture book. 3-6)

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August 13, 2021

PreS-K-From Murray (Goodnight, Veggies) and Flowers (That Monster on the Block) come multicolored unicorns celebrating their special day from morning until night with all their friends. They stop dancing, roller-skating, and eating cupcakes only when they get "glittered out." But before they go to sleep among the clouds and stars in the sky, they sweep up the glitter, then shine their horns until they are bright enough to read stories by in bed. Nestled in their beds, they listen to a unicorn song that seems to make the shy purple creature hiding throughout the illustrations sleepy. Rhyming text and humorous details in the artwork (e.g., the recycle bin is labeled the "resparkle" bin, while "moon milk" is the drink of choice at bedtime) offer some similarities and differences between children and young unicorns. VERDICT This cozy bedtime story adds elements of fun to rituals by incorporating relatable unicorns.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake P.L., Alta.

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