My School Unicorn

PreS-Gr 2--Evie is starting elementary school and imagining the worst--stern teachers, yucky food, and no one to play with. Arriving at Madame Lexi's Uniform Emporium to buy school clothes, she can't stop worrying, until from the pocket of her new school blazer pops a tiny unicorn. Bobby the unicorn will help calm her nerves on her "big adventure." As she gets her stuff together for her first day, Evie already feels better. Bobby sits by as she packs her backpack and shines a glowing light as she falls asleep. At school the next day, the little unicorn helps a nervous Evie feel brave. By the end of the day the kindergartner has come into her own and is running around with new friends. This sweet tale deals with that universal rite of passage and all the accompanying fears and uncertainty. Young readers will understand the power that a special toy can provide when navigating the unknown. Is the unicorn magical? Maybe. Lexi's Emporium is filled with stars, and at school Bobby projects a magical kingdom on the wall from his unicorn horn, and makes a swirling wind of leaves for Evie and her friends to chase. Illustrations show that Evie and her dad have brown skin. The warm hues of the magical elements of the story balance effectively with gloomy depictions of the imagined school, and the bright colors of the classroom. VERDICT A validation of first-day jitters for the early elementary crowd.--Sarah Webb, City and Country Sch. Lib., NY

In Evans's fantastical twist on the new-school narrative, Evie, a Black child with round cerulean spectacles, feels "wobbly" about starting elementary school, despite her love of preschool. That is, until her father brings her to Madame Lexi's Uniform Emporium, an inviting corner store. In addition to the school uniform, pale-skinned Madame Lexi knows Evie needs an extra push for the "BIG adventure" that is school--and so gifts Lexi a pocket-size pink unicorn named Bobby, who calms Evie's wobbly feelings and instills her with courage. Knight's friendly digital art features a round-eyed, expressive cast against detailed, vibrantly colored backdrops. Evie's dependency on Bobby perhaps weakens the message of empowerment, but this encouraging book may still inspire nervous children to seek support talismans. Back matter includes a tutorial for how to make a school unicorn. Ages 3-5. (June)