Unicorn books for children
Unicorns are not always the gentle, sparkly creatures of fairy tales. In these books, they eat their own stables, play football, cause chaos at birthday parties and even become fierce warriors. Our selection of unicorn books for children includes funny and imaginative picture books for younger readers, magical stories about friendship and belonging, creative activity books and exciting fantasy adventures for older children. This list features books by Tom Fletcher, A.F. Steadman, Daisy Meadows, Sibéal Pounder, Bella Swift, Ana Punset, Dave Roman, Fabi Santiago, Gareth Peter, and Briony May Smith.
Unicorn books for children – our recommendations
Countdown to Bedtime Sleepy Unicorn by Candy Bee, illustrated by Tom Knight
Journey alongside Sleepy Unicorn as she prepares for bedtime in this engaging book for 0-6-year-olds. With playful rhymes and charming illustrations, children will count down from ten, encountering gnomes, stars, fairies, and more on the way to Sleepy Unicorn’s cosy bedtime. Soft words like “safe” and “sweet dreams” help create a calming atmosphere, perfect for soothing young ones to sleep. Read our full review.
A Believer’s Guide to Unicorns by Jenni Desmond
Unicorns are treated as secret sky dwellers, quietly responsible for clouds shifting, snow falling and rainbows appearing. Each double-page spread links a natural event to imagined unicorn behaviour, cleverly using the layout and tone of an information book. The imaginative text explains, suggests and invites close looking rather than proving anything. High-quality illustrations focus on skies and subtle visual clues, encouraging observation and discussion. It’s perfect for more confident EYFS readers.
Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom by Dave Roman
Brian Reyes is invited to a unicorn-only sleepover in a castle in the clouds, where he hopes to make sense of his horn, the talking muffin, and the aftermath of swallowing the ruler of the Underworld to save his best friend. The party looks magical, but Brian’s gut keeps telling him something is wrong. This immersive full-colour graphic novel for 7+ year olds explores fitting in, anxiety and trust issues through an addictively surreal and funny mystery. It’s the second in the award-winning Unicorn Boy series and likely to be very popular with LKS2 readers.
I Really Want That Unicorn by Fabi Santiago
Chloe the Crocodile is preparing for a talent show, and the prize is a Big Sparkly Mellow Yellow Unicorn. To win, she plans the best rainbow cake, magic castle and fairy unicorn outfit, then practises a unicycle performance. This comic picture book for 3+ year olds turns Chloe’s determination into a lively sequence of preparations, with Veronica arriving as a rival. Its heart is the value of friendship, even when the prize is a unicorn.
Oscar the Hungry Unicorn by Lou Carter, illustrated by Nikki Dyson
Oscar has eaten his stable and now needs somewhere new to live. His enormous appetite makes the search difficult: pirates, fairies and dragons all turn him away. Princess Oola, however, has been looking for a unicorn for a very long time. For 3+ year olds, Lou Carter and Nikki Dyson’s picture book combines broad physical comedy with a story about belonging and finding a home.
There’s a Unicorn in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott
CLIP-CLOP! A unicorn gallops into the pages and feels worried. In this interactive story, Tom Fletcher invites children to help cheer it up as the unicorn moves through the book. The story asks children to take an active part in the action and help the worried unicorn feel better. Greg Abbott’s lively illustrations accompany a reassuring tale about friendship and sharing worries.
The Unicorn Who Came to Breakfast by Emma Adams, illustrated by Mike Byrne
On a grey, rainy day, a little child and their dad find a unicorn in their home. The visitor wants to play games, read books and eat breakfast, lunch and snacks, so the family’s day becomes a cheerful whirlwind. Emma Adams’ text and Mike Byrne’s illustrations build the joke through the unicorn’s growing list of ideas for fun. This picture book for 3-4 year olds centres on an excitable guest and a father-child relationship.
Bad United: Just for Kicks by Louise Forshaw
Football-mad Hoof the Unicorn desperately wants to feel part of a team but is fed up with being excluded by his peers. But then he discovers Bad United and joins teammates Rex the roarsome dinosaur defender, a goalkeeper with eight legs and a mermaid coach. With themes of inclusivity, sportsmanship, resilience and acceptance, this graphic novel will appeal to less confident readers. Teachers – if your class likes football it behooves you to read this aloud!
This Book is Full Of…: This Book is Full of Unicorns by Gareth Peter, illustrated by Mike Byrne
In this spot-the-unicorn picture book, fantastical creatures appear in all sorts of settings, from a funfair and creepy castles to outer space. The playful challenge is to look carefully at colourful scenes and notice the cheeky, sneaky unicorns hiding within them. Gareth Peter’s lively text and Mike Byrne’s detailed illustrations create a shared search for 3-4 year olds, with plenty of surprises on each page.
Unicorns Don’t Love Sparkles by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Mike Byrne
Unicorn has strong opinions: no pink, flowers, hearts, rainbows, sparkles, balloons or cake. His birthday is coming, and all those disliked things seem to be heading for the same celebration. Lucy Rowland gives this rhyming picture book a comic take on standing out from the crowd, while Mike Byrne’s bright illustrations show a unicorn with plenty to say. Friendship, understanding and kindness sit alongside the silliness.
Wee Unicorn by Meg McLaren
At the edge of the Ancient Forest in the far north lives Wee Unicorn, who is small, very loud and without magic. She longs to find friends but worries that she cannot fit in because she is so different. Meg McLaren’s story brings Wee to friendship in an unexpected place. The picture-book adventure for 3+ year olds makes the unicorn’s difference central to the story.
How to Spot a Unicorn by Suzy Senior, illustrated by Dan Taylor
Two children set out to spot a unicorn, searching through an enchanted forest and past a wishing well. Familiar objects in the landscape keep looking like the creature they hope to find, including a pair of ears that belong to Grandad’s socks. Suzy Senior’s rhyming text invites children to join the hunt, while Dan Taylor’s illustrations reward a close look at each scene.
Welcome to Unicorn School: Have a magical first day! by Rose Cobden, illustrated by Loretta Schauer
Rocky is looking forward to his first day at school. He races to the gates with the other little unicorns and walks proudly to his classroom, but an unexpected problem makes him worry he may not be allowed to stay. Rose Cobden’s rhyming text and Loretta Schauer’s illustrations bring the school day to life, tracing its ups and downs through a reassuring story for children starting school.
Unicorn and the Rainbow Poop by Emma Adams, illustrated by Katy Halford
Unicorn has the silky mane, glittering horn and pink hooves of a storybook unicorn, plus one very surprising feature: rainbow-coloured poop. Emma Adams and Katy Halford build the picture-book humour around Unicorn’s colourful difference, with dragons, princesses, fairies and mischief in the mix. The story is about friendship and acceptance, and the bright text and pictures keep the joke at the centre. This picture book is for 3-6 year olds.
Unicorn Stories for Little Children by Susanna Davidson and Rosie Dickins, illustrated by Barbara Bongini
This collection gathers five unicorn tales, including stories of clumsy unicorns, weather unicorns and a poisoned lake. Susanna Davidson and Rosie Dickins introduce different magical creatures and situations across short stories designed for sharing, with Barbara Bongini’s colourful illustrations throughout. A closing section provides background about the stories. The collection for 3+ year olds gives families several brief unicorn adventures to read across separate sittings.
Unicorn Things to Make and Do by Kate Nolan, illustrated by Jenny Winstanley
Young unicorn fans can make simple crafts using everyday and recycled materials, then move on to drawing and colouring activities. Kate Nolan’s 48-page paperback explains projects through clear steps and illustrations, so children can see how each make takes shape. This activity book for 3+ year olds includes creative ways to play with the unicorn theme, from hands-on crafting to pencil-and-colour pages.
Big Activity Book Unicorns by Kirsteen Robson, illustrated by Christine Sheldon
Mazes in enchanted woods and crystal caves sit alongside dot-to-dots, spot-the-difference puzzles, drawing and colouring. Stickers extend the scenes, while press-out sheets include unicorn figures, masks, decorations, a double-sided jigsaw and matching games. This 96-page activity book for 4+ year olds moves between paper puzzles and make-and-play activities, all using the unicorn theme.
The Pug who wanted to be a Unicorn by Bella Swift
Peggy is a pug puppy abandoned just before Christmas and taken in by a foster family. Chloe is obsessed with unicorns, so Peggy decides she can make her new family happy by becoming one, complete with a mane, horn and magic. Her attempts bring festive mishaps, including a snowy misadventure and a nativity-play appearance. This chapter-book story for 5+ year olds blends a puppy’s wish with the search for a forever home.
Frank the Unicorn Alpaca by Gavin Puckett, illustrated by India Joseph
Frank the Unicorn Alpaca is a funny rhyming story for LKS2 children about a nervous alpaca living in a petting zoo. Worried about his appearance and uncomfortable around visitors, Frank longs to be different. But when an ice-cream cone ends up on his head, he believes he has become a magnificent unicorn. His newfound confidence leads to an unexpected adventure and a discovery about accepting himself. Gavin Puckett’s accessible rhymes and India Joseph’s charming black-and-white illustrations make this a warm-hearted story of self-discovery, courage and belonging. Read our full review.
Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Margaret moves with her family to a cottage by the sea and spots unicorns descending onto the shore. They disappear, leaving a baby tangled in the weeds, and Margaret cares for it through autumn and winter. When the herd returns in spring, she must say goodbye to her new friend. This picture book for 3-7 year olds pairs a gentle seasonal story of friendship with Briony May Smith’s detailed coastal illustrations.
Unicorn Magic: Dawnblaze Saves Summer by Daisy Meadows
Aisha and her parents move to Enchanted Cottage, where secrets are hidden in every corner. She soon meets Emily, and the two girls are whisked into a faraway realm where the unicorns of Enchanted Valley need help. Daisy Meadows opens the Unicorn Magic series with a friendship-led fantasy adventure that introduces a magical new setting and its unicorn residents.
Unicornia: A Magical Birthday by Ana Punset, illustrated by Diana Vicedo
Pippa’s birthday begins badly, and her friends have to find a way to turn the day around. In Unicornia, party cakes can be enchanted, sweets change flavour and theme parks shimmer with glitter, so the setting offers plenty of possibilities. This chapter book for 5-7 year olds follows a quick-moving birthday adventure in Ana Punset’s Unicornia world, with Diana Vicedo’s colour illustrations throughout.
Unicornia: Learning to Fly by Ana Punset, illustrated by Diana Vicedo
Claudia’s first day at the Unicornia Academy of Magic includes a flying test on her own unicorn. She feels nervous, but new friends are ready to help as she tackles the challenge. The first book in Ana Punset’s Unicornia chapter-book series for 5-7 year olds introduces spells, potions and an imaginative school setting. Diana Vicedo’s colour illustrations appear throughout this story about a new beginning.
Neon and The Unicorn Hunters by Sibéal Pounder
Neon Gallup is a human-looking unicorn with powerful magic and a secret life in the UNIverse, where she makes goo-powered magic and adventures with her unicorn friends. After a neighbourhood unicorn hunter spots her opening a portal, Priscilla sets out to steal the portal opener and destroy unicorns. Sibéal Pounder’s fantasy follows Neon as the hunters close in and she tries to uncover their plan before they can act.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman
Skandar Smith has always wanted to become a unicorn rider: selected to hatch a unicorn, bond for life, train together and race for glory. Just as the dream is within reach, the Island’s most powerful unicorn is stolen and a dangerous enemy draws closer. This 400-page fantasy for 9-99 year olds brings elemental magic, sky battles and ferocious unicorns into a fast-paced series opener, while Skandar uncovers a secret about his own world.
Skandar and the Skeleton Curse by A. F. Steadman
The fourth entry in A. F. Steadman’s epic fantasy series, Skandar and the Skeleton Curse, follows Skandar and his friends in their fourth year at the Eyrie as they face a deadly curse threatening the island’s unicorns. With a vengeful sister and a Commodore bent on eradicating spirit magic, Skandar must race to stop the curse before time runs out. Highly recommended for KS2 libraries.
Skandar and the Chaos Trials by A. F. Steadman
Skandar and his sister Kenna are finally together at the Eyrie, but third-year training brings a formidable new test: a series of trials across the Island’s elemental zones that only the strongest riders will complete. While Kenna is isolated by her forged bond with a wild unicorn, a discovery threatens the future of the Island and suspicion falls in one direction. Skandar must decide how far he will go for his sister and the Eyrie, in this gripping fantasy adventure for readers aged 9+.
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Unicorn resources for teachers
- Hamilton Trust provides a Reception lesson based on Julia Donaldson’s Sugarlump and the Unicorn. Children explore what makes unicorns mythical, describe their appearance and behaviour, develop storytelling skills and create their own unicorn artwork using a variety of materials.
- Scholastic offers downloadable activities for Sugarlump and the Unicorn by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, including a three-page activity pack, colouring sheets, a puzzle and a spot-the-difference activity. These are useful for EYFS and KS1 literacy lessons and independent learning.
- Teaching Ideas suggests a range of classroom activities linked to Sugarlump and the Unicorn, including identifying rhyming words, sequencing the story, writing diary entries, describing characters, creating circus posters and retelling events from different perspectives.
- Teachwire explores ten picture books featuring magical creatures, including Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert by Morag Hood and Ella Okstad. Teaching suggestions include discussing the relationship between pictures and text, creating unicorn sound effects, making unicorn horns, imaginative play and writing instructions for caring for a magical pet.
- Bloomsbury Education provides KS1 guided reading teaching notes developed with the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), including resources for The Chocolate Unicorn by Jenny McLachlan. These support reading and discussion using a short, illustrated fantasy story suitable for developing readers.
- Pie Corbett’s KS2 unicorn writing resources, available through Teachwire, include model non-chronological reports about Storm Unicorns and Frost Unicorns, a teacher’s guide, writing activities and illustrated PowerPoint slides. Pupils can invent their own mythical creatures and write reports describing their appearance, habitats and behaviour.
- Author Lindsay Littleson’s website features free teaching resources for Guardians of the Wild Unicorns, including a teacher’s resource pack, bookshop and library activities, and a literacy planning document. Activities support reading comprehension, creative writing, character exploration and cross-curricular learning inspired by the Scottish Highlands.
- Teachwire’s Skandar and the Unicorn Thief resource contains a free KS2 narrative writing pack based on A.F. Steadman’s fantasy adventure. It includes a novel extract, teaching notes and worksheets to help Year 5 and 6 pupils develop descriptive writing, establish settings, convey emotions and explore relationships between characters.
- Scottish Book Trust’s Authors Live features a recorded event with A.F. Steadman exploring the Skandar books, their ferocious unicorns and elemental magic. Accompanying classroom suggestions encourage pupils aged 9-14 to invent unicorn riders, develop characters and write original fantasy adventures.
- Scottish Book Trust provides downloadable lesson resources exploring Scottish mythical creatures, based on An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Mythical Creatures by Theresa Breslin and Kate Leiper. Activities cover the differences between myths and legends, how stories travel between cultures, Scottish language and the historical and geographical origins of folklore.
- The National Trust for Scotland offers a downloadable resource developed with Scottish Book Trust linking children’s literature to Scottish heritage sites. Its Glencoe section uses Guardians of the Wild Unicorns to explore local wildlife, environmental protection, Scottish folklore and imaginative writing, with curriculum-linked classroom activities.
- The Royal Collection Trust explains the unicorn’s significance as Scotland’s national animal and its appearance in royal heraldry, including the Royal Coat of Arms and decorations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The page also includes a downloadable unicorn join-the-dots activity, making it suitable for art and Scottish history topics.
- Scotland.org investigates why the unicorn became Scotland’s national animal, its symbolism in Scottish culture and its connections with royal history and mythology. The illustrated article provides useful background material for KS2 research, Scottish history lessons and discussions about national symbols.
- Little Owls Resources provides ideas for National Unicorn Day on 9 April, including unicorn crafts, imaginative play, early literacy, storytelling, movement activities and printable colouring sheets. Suggestions are aimed at early years settings and KS1 classrooms, with opportunities to develop vocabulary, creativity and fine motor skills.
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