Billie the Unicorn

April 1, 2011
Billie learns that adventure isn't all it's cracked up to be in this tired reiteration of a very old theme. This unicorn's cornfield surroundings appear lackluster compared to the "mystical forest" where her cousins Rhubarb and Smudge abide. Her magical relatives create spectacular garden scenes, but Billie's best attempts to beautify the world yield only corn. Intrigued by rumors of the queen's luscious landscape, she's tricked by the evil monarch and kept hostage until she gains self-confidence. Drouhard's background in animation is apparent in fantastic, rainbow-sparkly spreads; the treacherous royal makes for a charismatic aggressor behind her cold castle walls (recalling an Alice in Wonderland whimsy, Tim Burton–style.) Striking facial expressions complete with doe eyes, elfin ears and buck teeth suit the overall aesthetic, though these unicorns do not look remotely equine. Unfortunately, earnest-yet-vague word choices lead to a flat presentation: "Rhubarb and Smudge took care of the woods in their own special way." Heavy-handed dialogue does nothing to relieve the formulaic plot. "Just be yourself, think about what you like, and the magic will do the rest!" gushes Rhubarb. The trite resolution jars. Even this unicorn family's mystical gifts are unable to support this clunky narrative. (Picture book. 4-8)

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September 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-Billie leaves her ho-hum cornfield in search of adventure. She visits her cousins Rhubarb and Smudge, who live in a "mystical forest" and have the ability to make lush gardens appear. Billie's own flower-growing talents are slow to emerge, and she is coached to "Just be yourself, think about what you like, and the magic will do the rest!" Soon, though, she wonders "what delightful treasures waited elsewhere" and sets off for the Queen's garden. Despite the forbidding steel gates and robotic guards, Billie doesn't hesitate in offering her flower-growing services. Her cousins arrive to find her chained and sobbing, but before they help her escape they strangely admonish her: "You cannot grow real flowers if you are unhappy." Drouhard's color cartoonlike illustrations feature twinkling-eyed, floppy-eared unicorns. Pass on this cliche-ridden tale.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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