A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster

by Amy Young, Amy Young (Illustrator)

Overview

The fourth book in the A Unicorn Named Sparkle series features pumpkins, silly adventures, and of course, a sparkly friendship — perfect for Autumn!

Lucy and our favorite unicorn are back in Sparkle the Unicorn and the Pumpkin Monster. Lucy and Sparkle love Halloween, especially at Frank's Pumpkin Farm. They get to run through corn mazes, play games, decorate pumpkins, and most importantly: eat a lot of cider donuts.

But Lucy and Sparkle discover one big difference between them — Lucy loves to be scared every once in awhile. Sparkle? Not so much.

When Lucy takes the scary part of Halloween one step too far for Sparkle, she must comfort her frightened unicorn pal — and win back his trust.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374308506
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Series:	A Unicorn Named Sparkle
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.34(w) x 10.41(h) x 0.36(d)
Age Range:	2 - 6 Years

About the Author

Amy Young was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and though she trained and practiced as a lawyer, she has always wanted to be an artist. She is the author and illustrator of several picture books including A Unicorn Named Sparkle, A New Friend for Sparkle, and A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas. She lives in Spring Lake, Michigan, with her husband.

Editorial Reviews

08/17/2020

In Young’s fourth tale starring comically squat pet unicorn Sparkle, he and child Lucy visit a pumpkin farm on a day when “the air was crisp and Sparkle felt frisky.” He immediately acts on those feelings, trying to eat his way out of the corn maze and consuming multiple treats before realizing that he isn’t such a fan of the frightening. Sparkle’s hijinks kick into high gear after he and Lucy arrive home with selected pumpkins—he carves a “cheerful and happy” face on his, but she creates a scary grimace. Terrified, the unicorn runs away, his fear escalating at nightfall when he hears a wailing sound that he mistakenly assumes is a “pumpkin monster.” A rollicking escapade follows, and eventually a cozy reunion with Lucy that underlines Sparkle’s strengths. Young’s exuberant illustrations chronicle the unicorn’s misadventures with abundant humor and heart—illuminating the two pals’ endearing mutual affection. Ages 2–6. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Young’s exuberant illustrations chronicle the unicorn’s misadventures with abundant humor and heart." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2020-07-14
Who knew a unicorn could be a scaredy-cat?

Lucy and her unicorn, Sparkle, anticipate fun at a pumpkin farm. They play games; eat treats, which Sparkle loves; and have spooky encounters, which Sparkle doesn’t. Decorating pumpkins is the unicorn’s least fun activity of all: His (carved with his horn) looks happy, but Lucy’s is scary, frightening him so much that he races into the darkened pumpkin patch, a worried Lucy calling after him. Sparkle hides; hearing a terrifying wail, he concludes it’s a “pumpkin monster.” Opening a large pumpkin, Sparkle steps inside, creating a perfect new hideaway. It’s perfect—except he still hears the monster’s fearsome cry and quakes in terror so much the pumpkin detaches from its vine and careens down a hill. Just then, Lucy spies a large pumpkin hurtling toward her and believes she’s within a monster’s clutches—until the pumpkin breaks open and…all ends well. Children will enjoy this cute but thin Halloween story that offers some thrills, sweet good cheer, and reassurances that loyal friendship rises above all. Illustrations are lively, humorous, and expressive; onomatopoeic sounds in large capitals are incorporated into text and art to dramatic effect. Lucy has dark, curly hair and pale beige skin. Sparkle is white with a pink heart on his rump; his blue horn resembles a party hat. Holiday-themed endpapers feature Sparkle.

A unicorn, a pumpkin, and a monster make for light and entertaining Halloween fare. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews