Briony May Smith, Margaret’s Unicorn, Walker Books UK, June 2021, 40 pp., RRP $27.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781406399882
Author Briony May Smith lives in the shire of Devon in the south-west of England, an area famous for its rocky coastline and fossil-rich beaches. She makes use of this wild and beautiful countryside in her gorgeous full colour illustrations that feature wildflowers, waves, and windy weather.
Margaret’s family has moved to a seaside cottage, so she finds herself alone in this new and isolated place—her imagination her only recourse to making her new world her own world. A tiny unicorn fallen from the clouds and mist charms her and brings her the companionship she needs for the season it takes to make new friends in this tiny village, and feel at home on its hillsides.
Children will fall in love with the illustrations that are sometimes intimate and sometimes filled with a sweep of action and landscape. The text takes us through the story with a simple and full acceptance of the importance and reality of imagined worlds for children’s lives.
Highly recommended for children three to seven years.
Reviewed by Kevin Brophy
