The Midnight Unicorn

by Neil Reed

A little girl who loves unicorns. A beloved statue that comes to life. An unforgettable and exhilarating journey. With its combination of magical story, stunningly realistic art, and shimmering spot-lamination throughout, this lovely picture book will enchant children again and again.   

Children will feel their imagination take flight along with the title character as they enjoy Neil Reed's captivating tale of a very special midnight ride.
 More than anything, Millie loves the statue of the unicorn at her park. Its closed eyes, gentle mouth, and kind smile always make her happy. Then, one day, as she presses her hands against the statue's neck, she feels a shiver run through the stone: marble has become flesh and the unicorn has come alive. And riding on his back, Millie soars up, up, up, into the sky, over forest and lakes, through storms and lighting, to the land where unicorns still play….
 With images so realistic they almost seem photographed, and spot-lamination that makes the stars-and lots more on the page-shine, this beautiful story will become a perennial favorite.

 

Neil Reed has been illustrating books for nineteen years. His illustrations for Unicorn Dreams, by Dyan Sheldon, were praised by School Library Journal as “captivating….Reed's unicorn…will win the hearts of romantics of all ages.” Of his illustrations for Shirley Isherwood’s Something for James, Publishers Weekly raved, “Reed's radiant watercolors set off the tale like a Tiffany setting displays a gem…the cozy world that the warmly lit artwork portrays is one that readers will eagerly enter time and again.” When Neil Reed is not illustrating books for young readers, he can be found surfing with his children at beaches near their home in Cornwall, England.

 
 

Genres: Picture Books, Unicorns, Fantasy, Childrens, Animals

36 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2006

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl named Millie, accompanied by her father and her pet dog Casper, goes on her daily trip to the local park, where she likes to visit a statue of a unicorn. Embracing this beloved figure, Millie (together with Casper) is swept up in a magical adventure, riding the unicorn through an enchanting night, seeing the mountains, the desert and the ocean, and visiting an island of unicorns, before returning to her father. He thinks her adventure was a dream, but Millie knows better...

The Midnight Unicorn is a lovely picture-book, featuring story and illustrations from British author/artist Neil Reed, and pairing an engaging story-line and beautiful artwork. Millie's experiences are of that ambiguous kind - it could be a dream, it could be an imaginative game, or it could be a real-life experience - so common in childhood literature. Perhaps this reflects the way in which the young naturally inhabit a liminal borderland between youth and age, reality and fantasy. Whatever the case may be, the result here was charming. Recommended to young unicorn lovers, and to anyone seeking picture-books featuring magical journeys.

[George Jankovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loved this book when he was 2-4. It's a wonderful story capturing a child's imagination so vividly. Illustrations are among the best I've seen.

[Sakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

After re-reading this childhood favorite of my mine, I really felt I had to give it a review. This book is just so cute!! I remember spending countless hours reading it on my carpet in my bedroom, imagining I was right there, with the girl, dog and unicorn, on a magical adventure along with them. If it was possible for them, why not me? The story perfectly captures the imaginative wishes I held as a child, and the artwork is beautiful. Almost like scenes from a movie! The textured effect on the pages also enchanted me, it adds to the immersive elements of the story. If your child likes unicorns, I would very highly recommend!


(This book contains no sensitive content. I would give it an age rating of all-ages)

[Minna Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about a child’s imagination and the places it can go. The child in question is blind but we do not know that until the end. I loved that the disability of the girl was not her defining feature - it was just a fact we discovered at the end.

The tactile pages are great for younger readers to feel whilst you read, exploring the whole page to find the different texture. It’s also a lovely subtle hint about the girl, who could still enjoy this book but not read it herself.

[Jennifer Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 5 year old that loves unicorns. I appreciate the way that the main character’s imagination takes her on a magical adventure. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the magic of the story. We will definitely be reading this one again!

[Stephane]

I have had my fill of unicorns but yet here we are... Ri's favourite part was how the statue turns into a unicorn. I liked that it is a dad-girl story. Uber-realistic illustrations that are pleasant to look at.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are very realistic which just felt wrong and came across as creepy. The shiny parts on the picture really didn’t go with the style. The plot was non-existent. And the fact that the child turns out to be blind didn’t add anything.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for little girls that love unicorns and dream that they are real.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a little tougher for beginner readers. My 3 kids enjoyed reading this book.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece and nephews loved this. Wonderful artwork and well written.

[Haela C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about diving into your imagination

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me: it was an ok read

5yo unicorn lover (so a bit biased): 5 stars, loved the pictures, the story and the textures on the page.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised by this one that my oldest picked up at the library last visit. Millie visits her favorite unicorn statue at the park. While visiting she dreams of exciting adventures taken with her dog Casper and the mythical creature. Or is it a dream? Girls loved the illustrations...the book is oversized and the pages have added texture and shine. May work well for a readaloud due to the strength of the illustrations and magical feel of the story.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been given a copy of this book from the title unicorn, Alfonso, my unicorn,is a close friend of his, we were unsure on how this book would be. We were happy to find that it was THE BEST BOOK EVER!!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous story of imagination; a little girls visits a unicorn statue in the park, and when the unicorn becomes real, they go on an adventure (with her dog.) Was it real or just a dream? Gorgeous illustrations on big pages by Neil Reed.

[Ashley Melton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for sparking imagination.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Millie discovers just how magical the unicorn statue in the park is when the creature comes to life and sweeps her away on a midnight adventure.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a wonderful tale of a stone unicorn brought to life by a little girl's imagination.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written book with beautiful illustrations done by the author. Children will be mesmerized by the imaginative story.

[Louise Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have the 'textured' version to add even more magic to reading this book.

[Jacquelyn DeWitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful book about the imagination. Students could make up their own dream.

[Cecily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and very large illustrations; good for using in a group setting. Good story as well.

[McKinley Cota]

Very sweet and imaginative, with lovely illustrations. Perfect for a young adventurous soul who loves unicorns.