A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas

September 1, 2018
The joy of giving permeates Lucy's first Christmas with her unicorn in this series third after A New Friend for Sparkle (2017).Sparkle is back and is still more goatlike than equine, but little Lucy thinks he's just perfect. She's excited to teach him all about Christmas and explains that "best of all, it means Christmas PRESENTS! Lots and lots of PRESENTS!" Lucy gives Sparkle an allowance and her wish list so he can get gifts for her, and then she heads off to buy him presents. Readers are privy to the little unicorn's failure to follow through on the task and then to how Lucy tirelessly gives him the benefit of the doubt. But when Sparkle knocks over the Christmas tree and eats the stockings, Lucy loses her temper. Her outburst makes Sparkle cry "big, magical rainbow unicorn tears." Lucy feels terrible and apologizes, acknowledging that Sparkle "didn't mean to hurt [her] feelings." And then, lo and behold, there is a gift under the tree from Sparkle--a tiny golden box that on a wordless spread opens to release a rainbow and a flight of butterflies, birds, and (of course) sparkles and hearts. Readers will flip back to the vignettes that depict Sparkle failing to shop and reassess their lack of faith. Lucy is a little girl of color with light brown skin and springy black hair.Merry and bright. (Picture book. 3-6)

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September 24, 2018
In Sparkle’s third book, the “unicorn” is getting ready for Christmas under the tutelage of Lucy, a vivacious girl with wiry black curls. Actually, Sparkle is eating the Christmas preparations because, despite his unicorn horn (it resembles a cone-shaped birthday hat), there’s a good chance he’s actually a goat. Lucy gets Sparkle presents at “the unicorn store,” but Lucy is disappointed to find no gift from Sparkle on Christmas morning, and he eats the stockings and pulls down the Christmas tree. After shouting and tears, it turns out Sparkle did get her a gift, and it’s the most magical of all. The relationship between Sparkle and Lucy remains perfectly enchanting. Ages 2–6.