ALWAYS BE A UNICORN

Unicorns, prepare yourselves. A pep talk is at hand.

If someone once said to themselves, “You know what would make Oh, the Places You’ll Go better? Unicorns!” the result might resemble this addition to the graduation-book shelf. From the get-go the book tells readers, “You are a unicorn. Oh, yes you are.” As such, readers must embrace their unicorn-ness. They will face mistakes and lose their way, but as long as they fix their errors and remember to ask for help, things will work out. As the book continues, more animals in the art sprout horns, including a tortoise, a hippo, and an owl; one unicorn uses a wheeled prosthetic to replace absent rear legs. A rousing finish urges readers to “always be the unicorn you are.” At times some of this advice sends mixed messages, as when, “Just because you’re a unicorn doesn’t mean you’re perfect,” clashes with the later statement that “A unicorn’s intuition is rarely wrong.” The uncomplicated, shiny commercial art is as bright and cheery as the rest of the book, but occasional poor contrast causes difficulties. One section shaded a deep, dark purple that accompanies the statement, “Keep close with your crew, no matter how motley,” comes off as muddied and very difficult to make out.

As celebratory picture books go, this one is strictly for the unicorn obsessed.