Gr 1-4-In this pleasantly written story, a poor orphan is called before the King of Joppardy and commanded to go to the forest and sing to attract a unicorn. Zoe doesn't realize that the king and his advisor, the cunning Doctor Slythe, plan to kill the creature in order to make a goblet and eating utensils from its horn. When Zoe realizes that she has been tricked, she sets the animal free. The king then banishes her and demands that "no one in Joppardy shall speak to this little nobody!" Remembering the words to a song that she had heard in her dreams, she searches for and finds the home of the unicorns, where her friend greets her and invites "Nobody" to climb on his back and enter this secret valley. The fascination with unicorns, which is so prevalent in fantasy, is successfully captured through the illustrations and text, and Zoe's song/poem is rich in imagery. There is a misty quality to the soft-edged artwork. Muted colors and the almost fuzzy, cottony look of the unicorn help to create a mythical, mystical atmosphere. The varied perspectives from extreme close-ups to panoramic views effectively create varied moods. A fine introduction to fantasy.-Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
This modern fairy tale tells the story of a fearful and paranoid king who summons the gentlest girl in the kingdom to trap a unicorn in order to kill it for his own selfish purposes. The king of Joppardy, convinced that his enemies are out to poison him, follows the advice of his councilor Doctor Slythe, who tells the king that there is only one solution—the king must drink from a goblet and eat with utensils made from a unicorn's horn. The nefarious Slythe, dressed all in black and looking thoroughly evil, also advises the king that there is only one way to catch the elusive unicorn—a quiet young girl with a gentle voice must call to it. Zoe, the quietest girl in the land, and an orphan who is considered a nobody, is sent for and unsuspectingly invites the unicorn into the open. All of a sudden, hunters and hunting dogs intrude upon the idyllic scene and capture the beautiful beast. Zoe, furious that she's been deceived and determined to make it right, sneaks into the palace gardens and frees the animal. Incensed that the little girl has bested him, the king banishes her. But Zoe finds her way into the secret valley of the unicorns: a magical and welcoming land that certainly will be more of a home to her than Joppardy ever was. Beautiful, soft illustrations mostly in earth colors, but interjected with jewel tones and interesting design make this a visually compelling book. Details in the illustrations—an animal hidden in the bush, topiaries in the shape of whales—encourage the reader to look again and again at the enticing pictures. One jarring, anachronistic note, though—on the opening page, the illustration shows a car on the road tothemedieval-looking palace, marring the timeless, otherworldly feel of the book. And the name of the kingdom ineluctably makes one think of the popular game show. Despite these minor quibbles, this will certainly please the unicorn crowd and will be a popular read-aloud. (Picture book. 4-8)
