Book Review: Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Having just witnessed a little girl in a unicorn costume run through the Himmel Park Library, I couldn't think of a better book to review than Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great, written and illustrated by the glorious Bob Shea.  You really can't miss this book, as the cover features a delightful display of cupcakes raining down from the sky.  And, you really can't forget this book, for that image is the stuff of dreams...  Okay, okay, enough about the cover.  Bob Shea's latest story begins with Goat who is happily swinging, biking, and making marshmallow squares.  Then, Unicorn shows up.  Unicorn has it all: he can fly, he can prance, and he can turn stuff into gold!  Best of all, he has a horn.

Goat is moping around, munching on some goat-cheese pizza, when Unicorn meanders over, drawn by the pizza's "heavenly" smell.  Unicorn is impressed that goats have cheese, since "Unicorns don't have cheese.'  Goat explains that goat-cheese goes with everything, including garbage.  Unicorn is jealous, because his delicate constitution only allows him to eat glitter and rainbows.  And, so it continues, with both Goat and Unicorn understanding their unique gifts and, eventually, embracing their strength as a team.  It's a goofy, whimsical picture book that ends with the forging of a new friendship--my favorite type of book!

Still, beneath all the silliness, this book provides an excellent opportunity for your little one to hone some print awareness skills.  See if they can pick out the differently colored or illustrated words throughout the story. You can even tell who is speaking (Goat or Unicorn) based on the way the words are illustrated.  Moreover, running your finger along the text as you read helps pre-readers understand that a picture book is made up of more than just pictures, which is yet another way to prepare your child for reading and for school.

Now, back to thinking about cupcakes falling from the sky...

-Miss Ashley