May 20, 2019
This first installment in the Little Unicorn series introduces an expressive protagonist who has emotions as broad-ranging as his multicolored mane. When he feels content, “his mane shines with the colors of the rainbow.” But when he feels other emotions strongly, his mane changes color (though readers may question why “happy” is included in a list of emotions that occur “when all isn’t well”). Today, Little Unicorn’s mane is bright red—a sign that he is angry. It starts when the rainy weather keeps him indoors and continues when his father won’t carry him to school. He’s angry when he has to take a bath and angry when he has to stop playing and get out of the bath. Chine introduces a breathing exercise (“to blow away the anger cloud”) for Little Unicorn—and readers—to try. Chine offers a relatable story of a grumpy day and a practical tool for tackling bad feelings, but the oversimplification of emotional states leaves little room for shades of gray. Available simultaneously: Little Unicorn Is Scared. Ages 4–8.