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A Unicorn Named Sparkle #1
A Unicorn Named Sparkle
When Lucy sees an ad in the newspaper for a unicorn, she sends in her twenty-five cents and waits four to six long weeks for her very own unicorn to arrive. She imagines the flowers that she'll braid into his beautiful pink mane, and she even picks the perfect name for him: Sparkle. But when Sparkle arrives, his ears are too long, his horn is too short, he smells funny--and oh, he has fleas. Lucy isn't pleased, but in the end she warms up to Sparkle and realizes that even though he wasn't exactly the unicorn she wanted, he might be just the one she needs.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2016
About the author
Amy Young
19 books37 followersAmy Young trained as a fine artist at Yale and received an MFA in painting from Indiana University as well as a law degree from Harvard. She lives in Spring Lake, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
October 1, 2017
Dragging on 🦄 UNICORN MONTH 🦄 because I'm not done yet and, well, unicorns!!!
Cuteness overload! Just on the cover we have glitter and butterflies with happy faces. SOLD!!!
When Lucy orders a unicorn for 25 cents - BARGAIN!!! - she doesn't get the unicorn of her dreams. If your heart doesn't melt when you see Sparkle snuggled up with Bear-Bear after a bedtime story to calm his fears during a storm, then I don't know what will. Plus he has a heart shaped patch of fur near his butt and loves cupcakes.
I need the details of the comic Lucy found the unicorn ad in so I can order my very own Sparkles!
Cuteness overload! Just on the cover we have glitter and butterflies with happy faces. SOLD!!!
When Lucy orders a unicorn for 25 cents - BARGAIN!!! - she doesn't get the unicorn of her dreams. If your heart doesn't melt when you see Sparkle snuggled up with Bear-Bear after a bedtime story to calm his fears during a storm, then I don't know what will. Plus he has a heart shaped patch of fur near his butt and loves cupcakes.
I need the details of the comic Lucy found the unicorn ad in so I can order my very own Sparkles!
December 13, 2023
بسیار کتاب جذابی بود برای من که برای بچه‌هام بخونم. نمی‌دونم اون‌ها هم خودشون از این کتاب آن‌قدری که من لذت می‌برم لذت می‌برند یا فقط به‌خاطر شوقی که من بهش نشون می‌دم جذبش می‌شن.
واقعاً برام جذابه که اسب تک‌شاخ سفارش می‌ده ولی براش بز تک‌شاخ می‌فرستند.
دست نشر پرتقال درد نکنه. بعضاً کتاب‌های خیلی خوبی برای بچه‌های سه-چهار-پنج‌ساله منتشر می‌کنه.
واقعاً برام جذابه که اسب تک‌شاخ سفارش می‌ده ولی براش بز تک‌شاخ می‌فرستند.
دست نشر پرتقال درد نکنه. بعضاً کتاب‌های خیلی خوبی برای بچه‌های سه-چهار-پنج‌ساله منتشر می‌کنه.
July 19, 2016
There are not enough words to describe how much I love this book... Story time anyone?
December 18, 2019
Excited at the prospect of getting her very own unicorn - and for the bargain price of twenty-five cents! - Lucy imagines what Sparkle (for so she plans to name her new friend) will be like. Her visions of a dazzling creature with blue hair and a pink mane and tail, one who loves wearing a necklace of flowers and who will make a good impression at show-and-tell, prove less than prophetic however, as the real Sparkles turns out to be a runty little thing with brown spots, who has long ears, smells funny, and isn't particularly cooperative in doing unicorn-like things. Disappointed with her purchase, Lucy decides to send Sparkle back... only to find that this unicorn may have some redeeming qualities after all.
With a story that reminded me of Kate Beaton's recent The Princess and the Pony , which also featured a young girl who was dissatisfied with her equine companion, A Unicorn Named Sparkle is a sweet little book, one sure to have appeal for young children who dream of having their own fantastical pet. In this respect it also reminded me of Vikki VanSickle and Cale Atkinson's If I Had a Gryphon . I appreciated the fact that Lucy is won over by her less-than perfect pet, a process depicted as much in the artwork as in the text, as this highlights the importance of loving our companions (fantastical or otherwise) and caring for their welfare, as opposed to looking upon them as trophies. The artwork is colorful and fun (and the cover sparkles!), adding to the appeal. Recommended to young unicorn lovers, or anyone else looking for picture-books about fantastical pets.
With a story that reminded me of Kate Beaton's recent The Princess and the Pony , which also featured a young girl who was dissatisfied with her equine companion, A Unicorn Named Sparkle is a sweet little book, one sure to have appeal for young children who dream of having their own fantastical pet. In this respect it also reminded me of Vikki VanSickle and Cale Atkinson's If I Had a Gryphon . I appreciated the fact that Lucy is won over by her less-than perfect pet, a process depicted as much in the artwork as in the text, as this highlights the importance of loving our companions (fantastical or otherwise) and caring for their welfare, as opposed to looking upon them as trophies. The artwork is colorful and fun (and the cover sparkles!), adding to the appeal. Recommended to young unicorn lovers, or anyone else looking for picture-books about fantastical pets.
September 16, 2016
That was totally just a goat.
But I still loved it.
But I still loved it.
July 19, 2016
*sigh* I am adulting too hard. Maybe I am too tired? Adults are KNOWN for ALWAYS being tired (i.e. borrrr-ing!). I am such an adult!
Ok, just going to put my head down and cry a little now....
Back to the book review: my first thought, after the "oh I love the super cute sparkly cover!" thought was:
...
"I wonder if that is really a goat, and they glued that horn to its head 'cuz it sure as anything acts like a goat."
Yep, I am an adult. A very tired, cranky, borrrr-ing, adulty-adult. *sigh*
All that aside, I loved this book. And it doesn't matter if Sparkle is a goat or a unicorn.
Ok, just going to put my head down and cry a little now....
Back to the book review: my first thought, after the "oh I love the super cute sparkly cover!" thought was:
...
"I wonder if that is really a goat, and they glued that horn to its head 'cuz it sure as anything acts like a goat."
Yep, I am an adult. A very tired, cranky, borrrr-ing, adulty-adult. *sigh*
All that aside, I loved this book. And it doesn't matter if Sparkle is a goat or a unicorn.
August 1, 2016
A little girl sees an ad for a unicorn for only .25. She pays her money and patiently waits for her "unicorn". When she finally receives her unicorn, it is nothing what she expected. She imagined herself and her unicorn (goat with a cone on its head) as having sparkly adventures. Of course, she doesn't get that and she tries to make the best of it. Sparkle is not easy to manage.
What I like about this book was the patience the little girl showed towards Sparkle. It was rough going at first, but she and Sparkle come to an understanding and develop a special bond. Sparkle is kind of cute.
What I like about this book was the patience the little girl showed towards Sparkle. It was rough going at first, but she and Sparkle come to an understanding and develop a special bond. Sparkle is kind of cute.
April 1, 2019
A cute story about a girl who orders a unicorn but gets a goat. Very cute. Cool fact: This book was written by a child!
November 20, 2016
Slightly predictable but completely, delightfully exuberant story of a girl named Lucy and her new pet unicorn, which looks distinctly goatish rather than the elegant magical creature Lucy expects. This book is great to read aloud (as long as you can make the appropriate bleating noises). Would pair well with other unicorn picture books - Uni the Unicorn and Lily the Unicorn - for a fun storytime.
July 29, 2016
Calling all unicorn lovers! This story also tells the reader about unexpected results as we feel the emotions of desire, rejection, and acceptance. My heart almost audibly gasped when she put Sparkle into the truck!
Full color illustrations, cartoonish lines, text nicely spaced in various locations around each page.
Full color illustrations, cartoonish lines, text nicely spaced in various locations around each page.
June 13, 2017
Lucy's dearest wish is for a unicorn that she can name Sparkle, but when she finally gets one it isn't at all like she imagined. An engaging story with an affirming message about wishes, expectations, acceptance, and love.
March 1, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
When the ad for the unicorns says 25 cents. . .well, of course you are going to buy it. Right?
Sparkle, though, upon arrival is not your dream unicorn. In fact, could safely be called the opposite of a dream unicorn. Even Lucy, Sparkle's new owner wants to send him back. Sometimes it really is a case of beware of what you wish for, because you just might get it!
Lucky for Lucy, the author of this story knew exactly how to make things right, and the illustrator made the whole project even better. Our Unicorn Fan approved 100%.
When the ad for the unicorns says 25 cents. . .well, of course you are going to buy it. Right?
Sparkle, though, upon arrival is not your dream unicorn. In fact, could safely be called the opposite of a dream unicorn. Even Lucy, Sparkle's new owner wants to send him back. Sometimes it really is a case of beware of what you wish for, because you just might get it!
Lucky for Lucy, the author of this story knew exactly how to make things right, and the illustrator made the whole project even better. Our Unicorn Fan approved 100%.
September 27, 2017
BEHHHHH :D
April 16, 2019
This book was so adorable! And the message was very important (though, usually, it’s not the kids who don’t take good care of the animals, it’s their heartless parents).
I want a Sparkle of my own! 😍😍
I want a Sparkle of my own! 😍😍
December 19, 2016
There is a definitely a need for more unicorn books, and I think this fits better with what kids are looking for than Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great. I also think that this story is similar to The Princess and the Pony, but more preschool-appropriate and a million times better-written. It's not my favorite, but it's a solid offering for patrons looking for unicorn stories and a perfectly appropriate addition to a fantasy story time.
September 12, 2016
Very cute and touching story, made all the more so with soft and colorful illustrations. A touch of kid (no pun intended) humour & a true-to-life message that sometimes it takes time and understanding to appreciate someone/something for who they are.
March 15, 2020
Victoria thinks:
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
I love unicorns🦄 a lot. In this adventure you will find a very unexpected very cute unicorn a kid who likes everything perfect and a scary storm.
Joke:
When I read:🦄
When I don’t read:🐴
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
I love unicorns🦄 a lot. In this adventure you will find a very unexpected very cute unicorn a kid who likes everything perfect and a scary storm.
Joke:
When I read:🦄
When I don’t read:🐴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2018
This book is such fun as a read-aloud!
October 1, 2018
A goat dressed as a unicorn. How can I resist.
April 11, 2019
I loved it. I want to buy it.
January 25, 2022
My mommy laughs every time she reads this book to me but I just like it because the spine is the perfect width to fit in my mouth. Maybe one day I will understand the funny parts!
May 19, 2022
Super cute. I would have absolutely LOVED this book when I was a little girl playing unicorns. I was a little girl who wanted a unicorn... Or at least a pony. 😏
July 26, 2018
A young girl sends away for a mail-order unicorn. It's actually a goat, but she ordered it from New Jersey so it shouldn't have been a surprise.
February 10, 2023
The sweetest unicorny goat story! Lucy and Sparkle are precious, and the illustrations are adorable. I can't wait to read more of this series and recommend it to fellow unicorn lovers!
November 19, 2016
Lucy is thrilled when she answers an ad selling a unicorn for a quarter, and as she waits for the animal to arrive, she imagines all the fun she will have and how beautiful this creature will be. She even thinks about what colors the unicorn will be and what she name her new pet. But the unicorn is nothing like she imagined, which will clue readers into the possible reasons for Lucy getting such a great deal on a unicorn. Instead of being majestic and magical, this unicorn resembles a goat in many ways, bleating and eating just about everything with which he comes in contact. Lucy decides to send Sparkle back, but she's still kind enough to take care of him when he is frightened by a storm. Even though she has started to become attached to him, Lucy persuades Sparkle to get in the truck that will take him away. The look on his face is quite touching as he is surprised to be separated from someone he regards as his new friend who has betrayed him. As the truck drives off, Lucy has second thoughts. As the text and illustrations show, Sparkle might not be what Lucy had in mind, but he's still her friend and pet. Young readers might learn responsibility and compassion from the story while also being reminded that great animal companions come in different sizes and shapes and that sometimes love can sneak up on you.
August 2, 2016
I wish I could get a unicorn for 25 cents! Even if that unicorn looks like a goat with one horn, smells funny and has fleas! A story written in the same vein as books like "Land Shark," a young girl learns that sometimes we get what we need instead of what we thought we wanted. Or something like that.
July 5, 2017
Oh, I can't love this one more! Lucy buys a unicorn named Sparkle for 25 cents. Once he arrives she finds that he isn't quite what she wanted - until he grows on her. I loved the illustrations, story and flow of this one. I'll definitely need it for story time at some point, and may just need a copy for my personal collection.
August 17, 2016
When Lucy orders a unicorn from an ad that declares "Unicorn, 25 Cents" she dreams of how beautiful and regal her new unicorn will be.
What she expects and what she gets are two totally different things.
What she expects and what she gets are two totally different things.
August 25, 2016
To be perfectly honest, I thought this book was going to be not enjoyable--hyper feminine and sickly sweet.
But I ended up loving it. The characters were flawed, the unicorn was an animal (truly) and the ending warmed my heart.
Give Sparkle Unicorn a chance. I think John Lennon said that.
But I ended up loving it. The characters were flawed, the unicorn was an animal (truly) and the ending warmed my heart.
Give Sparkle Unicorn a chance. I think John Lennon said that.
September 13, 2016
Lucy is so excited for her pet unicorn to arrive, but when Sparkle shows up, more goat than unicorn, she struggles to see the good in him. Things change with time and Lucy starts to see Sparkle in a lovable way.
Really cute illustrations, great read aloud for PreK-2.
Really cute illustrations, great read aloud for PreK-2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews