When Unicorns Poop

August 15, 2019
It's hard to ignore bodily functions when they come with magical properties. Ever wondered what unicorn poop is really like? No? For readers who have, a wide array of tears, snot, vomit, and other sundry yet sparkly effluents are stuffed into a single solitary tome. Following a predictable gross-then-adorable pattern, the text treats readers to answers to questions they probably never imagined asking: about what happens when a unicorn happens to sneeze (sparkly glitter falls from the sky), spit (chocolate syrup is sprayed on sundaes), fart (bubbles!), etc. The author, who self-identifies as a "recreational cryptozoologist," does at least hold back on speculating on unicorn blood, urine, and pus, but this is small comfort when faced with the image of children of different skin tones frolicking in unicorn vomit (ribbons). Brightly colored, festive art does much to mitigate some of the book's more stomach-turning implications, but when it comes to rainbow-colored poop, there's only so much that one can do. Readers in the thrall of the disgusting will be rapt as they consider the implications of each new revelation. Readers looking for another cute unicorn book are probably best advised to avoid this one, though the mere presence of the sparkly beast may overcome all. Lovers of all things repellent can consider this a sparkly, smelly present. (Picture book. 4-7)

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September 1, 2019
Grades K-2 Drawing on her background as a recreational cryptozoologist, Castle offers a selective catalog of unicorn bodily effluents?which all resemble yours with the crucial difference that they are cute or tasty rather than gross. Thus, though unicorns evidently don't pee, belch, or bleed, their rainbow-hued poop makes actual rainbows arch into the sky, their spit is chocolate syrup, their toots make shiny bubbles, and their puke fills the air with bright ribbons that dance in the breeze. Moreover, their tears flow as sugary milkshakes, and even their bellows make spectacular fireworks. The aptly named Cornia alternates views of hippoesque creatures with magnificent striped manes and tails the colors of saltwater taffy and sets of delighted children gathering up treats or gamboling through sunny glades. So it is that a group of unicorns can supply all the necessities for a wonderful picnic or party . . . just be careful not to step in the poop.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)