Unicorns 101

May 20, 2019
In this effervescent unicorn exposé, Atkinson introduces the four “top unicorn scientists” (lab-coat-clad unicorns themselves), who break down the basics of unicorn-ology. With the essential unicorn anatomy and classification charts on hand (or hoof), the scientists discuss unicorn horns (“Made of 50% magic, 45% mystery, and 5% sugar, unicorn horns are full of unknown and unpredictable powers”), diets, social behavior, varieties, and habitats. An art gallery depicts framed portraits of “history’s most famous unicorns,” with names such as “Buttercup Sparklecheeks,” while another spread offers a cross-section of a unicorn home, its occupants relaxing in a tub, tucked into a rainbow and cloud bed, and reading in a ball pit. Atkinson illustrates in a frenetic cartoon art style, with the bug-eyed, bushy-maned unicorn scientists front-and-center. Readers, too, can earn an advanced degree, with a final spread of this enjoyably off-the-wall story, featuring a “Unicornius Scientificus Diploma.” Ages 3–7.

July 1, 2019
A tongue-in-cheek field guide to the unicorn ("scientific name: Betterthan horsicus"). Cartoon-style cover art borders on the garish, with a riot of bright colors embellished with glitter, in its depictions of some of the unicorn characters that populate the text. On the first spread readers meet "the top unicorn scientists working today," namely Professor Glitter Pants, Professor Sprinkle Steed, Professor Star Hoof, and Professor Sugar Beard. A "trusty lab assistant, Pete," also makes an appearance, but despite the flashy introduction, none of these characters emerges with a distinct personality or storyline. Instead, they guide readers through the book's contents, which do not cover traditional unicorn lore but are divided into 10 brief, expository sections with titles such as "The Horn of the Corn," "Diet and Digestion," "Social Behaviors," and "Graduation Ceremony." That final section is metafictively devoted to praising readers and giving them a certificate for learning unicorn facts detailed on the prior pages, such as: A unicorn's mane "smells of cinnamon"; their horns are made of "50% magic, 45% mystery, and 5% sugar"; they "poop cupcakes. Yes. Cupcakes"; and they solve disagreements with "the ancient ritual of the dance-off." In design and palette, the illustrations resemble a video game arcade rather than a stodgy textbook; in other words, they suit the contents perfectly. There's not a whit of substance to it, but unicorn fans will find plenty to love. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2019
Grades K-2 Young cornies yearning to know some of the many uses of the Horn of the Corn, longing to meet a dangerous baby unicorn ( Toooo cuuuuuuute! My eyyyesss! ), wanting to know what unicorns poop (cupcakes! This is why you'll never find a unicorn at a bake sale ), or even hoping to see the object of their devotion in underpants and so much more will sign up in droves for this introductory course. Along with being authoritatively taught by a certified hornologist and other experts, the lessons within the glitter-sprayed covers are festooned with images of googly-eyed cartoon 'corns in arrays of rainbow hues, to which Atkinson adds inside views of unicorn anatomy and homes, plus galleries of common and exotic unicorn types, and then caps the lecture series with a legitimate (to unicorns, anyway) certificate in unicorn science. As it covers so much that more conventional surveys like Gail Gibbons' Behold . . . the Unicorns! (2001) somehow miss, this merits space on every unicorn-lover's reference shelf.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)