The Children’s Book Review | September 16, 2016
Written by Karla “Pearl E. Horne” Oceanak
Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer
Age Range: 4 and up
Hardback Book: 32 pages
Publisher: Bailiwick Press (2016)
ISBN: 978-1-93464963-3
What to expect: A parody of the children’s classic, GOODNIGHT MOON starring Unicorns!
For all those little lords and ladies who adore unicorns, this book is the bedtime story for them! The classic tale of GOODNIGHT MOON has been retold in this sweet parody. Each page rhymes in the same singsong style of the original. The illustrations are similar in theme to the first book, but feature everyone’s favorite unicorns. White unicorns, black unicorns, rainbow unicorns and striped unicorns – they’re all here. Even a sweet gold baby unicorn tromps through the hawthorn scented glen. In addition to unicorns, the story has dragons, gnomes, fairies and the famous Phoenix.
Not only is this a fun read for children who love the original book, but it is a great rhyming story in its own rite. The illustrations are top-notch, beautifully colored and with different styles of unicorns. The prose is perfect and rhymes well. My daughter delighted in pointing out the similarities to the original, and we read them back-to-back. The book also features fun “facts” about unicorns. For example, did you know a group of unicorns is called a blessing? Or that that they sleep on beds of the softest Phoenix feathers? Children will adore picking out their favorite unicorns, distinguishing between the males and females (the beards, naturally) and saying the rhymes over and again.
An instant classic for any unicorn-lover out there, or any child in need of a great rhyming bedtime story. Parodies don’t usually hit all the right buttons for a wonderful book, but this one did. Highly recommended.
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About the Author and Illustrator
Karla “Pearl E. Horne” Oceanak is the author of the Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel children’s series. Kendra Spanjer, illustrator of the Aldo Zelnick series, wore her beloved unicorn costume every day from the age of 5 until she outgrew it at age 7. Her favorite thing to draw was, is, and will always be unicorns. They both live in Fort Collins, CO.
Goodnight Unicorn: A Magical Parody, written by Karla “Pearl E. Horne” Oceanak and illustrated by Kendra Spanjer, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like Goodnight Unicorn: A Magical Parody by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Unicorns and Picture Books.