Displaying a magnificent mane, golden hooves, sparkling purple eyes, and a powerful swirly horn, Uni believes that not only are little girls real but a special one will form a magical friendship with her. And somewhere, a little girl is equally certain that unicorns are real and that a very particular one is waiting to be her companion. Joyful illustrations in brilliant color capture the dreams of the two, as they spin and twirl, explore the forest, and slide down a rainbow together. Line drawings of an active youngster are set inside an outline shaped like Uni's head. Although usually portrayed with sweet faces, the dismay each shows when their elders tell them their thinking is only make-believe humorously reinforces their determination to find each other. And friendship triumphs as the two delightedly ride off together. Pair with Robert Heidbreder's I Wished for a Unicorn (2000) and B. G. Hennessy's Claire and the Unicorn Happy Ever After (2010), for other happy twosomes.
-- Lolly Gepson

While the spirit of Mary Blair, vintage Golden Books, and 1960s animation influences many contemporary picture books, Barrager (Twelve Dancing Princesses) embraces it fully in this collaboration with Rosenthal (Exclamation Mark). Like her fellow unicorns, Uni is magical and magnificent; she has a luxuriant magenta mane, golden hooves, and violet eyes that don't just sparkle--they basically are sparkles. Where Uni differs from her peers is in her belief that little girls are real, that "a strong smart wonderful magical little girl" is out there waiting to be her best friend. In a series of single-page vignettes, Barrager shows Uni and a blonde, blue eyed human girl dashing through fields of flowers, healing forest animals with Uni's magical horn, and sailing past birds and clouds as they slide down a rainbow. The throwback illustration style, absence of tech (save for a nightlight and record player), and emphasis on clinging to beliefs that the world dismisses as fantasy combine to create a story that encourages kids to stay kids as long as possible. Ages 3-7.Author's agent: Amy Rennert, the Amy Rennert Agency. Illustrator's agent: Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, the Bright Group. (Sept.)