June 5, 2026
Finally! A unicorn story that is as magical and glamorous as unicorns. People are always drawing cartoony unicorns, and I think to myself, can we not? Unicorns are pretty serious. Let’s pull ourselves together.
Beatrix is a lonely servant who admires a gorgeous unicorn tapestry whilst cleaning the castle, feeding the geese, and waiting on the nobility. One day, her desire to meet a “huggable” unicorn leads her away from the castle and into the forest. There she helps a scared bunny, bandages a wounded dog, feeds the only food she has to the birds (who looked hungrier than her), and welcomes a cat who followed her into the woods. Exhausted and worn out, she lies down for a fitful rest. In a dream, a unicorn appears to her and snuffles her, hugs her, and makes her feel warm. Upon waking, she discovers it was her animal friends who were providing her with hugs and warmth. She realizes that she isn’t alone and that friendship is always there if you look.
Bits and Pieces: The illustrations were rendered in watercolor and colored pencil. It seemed like they glowed. Lita is immensely talented and seems to be a bit of a romantic. The book is an ode to medieval times, with Beatrix’s little cap and the lack of child labor laws. I read this to my friend C (she is 4), and she did not give me the kind of quotable quote I was looking for. She said it was “Good”. If she doesn’t improve her book reviewing skills, I don’t know what her future will be. She did stay entirely still and focused the whole book, which is a huge compliment to Lita.
Not Sure About: The wounded dog was too sad for me. I am prone to hysteronics when presented with hurt animals, children, and inanimate objects I have anthropomorphised in my imagination.
Favorite Part: I liked the dream sequence best. I wished I had been in that dream. I shall try tonight. A book that starts with, “Long ago and far away,” is probably going to be a winner for me.
