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Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great

Bob Shea

4.11 · Rating details · 5,459 ratings · 664 reviews

Hi, I'm Goat.

Things were just fine around here until UNICORN showed up.

So what if he can fly?

Or make it rain cupcakes?

And turn stuff into gold?

Big deal.

I can do some cool stuff too, like...

Hey! What are you doing? Why are you opening the book?

He's just going to tell you how great he is. Blah, blah, blah.

Go ahead. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

Dopey Unicorn. ...more

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Hardcover, 32 pages

Published June 25th 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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Community Reviews

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Average rating 4.11 ·

Rating details

· 5,459 ratings · 664 reviews

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Jul 22, 2013 karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-am-a-girl, kiddiwinx

and why shouldn't he???

is there anything more majestic than a unicorn?? not much. and say you are just a goat:

you are bound to be jealous of a unicorn, especially one that rolls up flaunting his magic and making everyone swoon with cupcakes and joy.

but never fear, low self-esteemed - because there are some things even unicorns can't do. not much, but some things. and maybe, just maybe, these two creatures can learn to play nicely together and celebrate each other's gifts and be all symbiotic an ...more

flag 115 likes · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2013 Steph Sinclair rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: People who like really cute things

Shelves: children-s, disney-hyperion, all-time-favorites, i-own-it, kids-love-it

Guys, HE MAKES CUPCAKES RAIN FROM THE SKY. I love reading this one to my kids and it never gets old. It’s such a charming and cute story about jealousy and envy told in a way that is funny. The illustrations have legit GLITTER on the pages and the cover. This made my daughter eternally happy. (Okay… so me too. :D )

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2015 Molly rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens, picture-book, unicorns

Awwww!

Poor Goat,

description

things were pretty fine, and he thought himself pretty cool ... until HE showed up to ruin everything. Damn sparkly, rainbow farthing, cupcakes-raining-from-the-sky-making, magical ... UNICORN!!!

description

Now everybody loves that snobby, show-off bastard. How can he compete? He can't help being jealous as that prancer flaunts his magic around ... until he get's to talk to his nemesis. Thing's are not always as they seem, nobody's perfect, everyone has his own strengths ... and the gras ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2013 Tim The Enchanter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars, children

Posted to The Literary Lawyer.ca

It has recently come to my attention that certain, uninitiated members of the community believe that goat cheese is both disgusting and unpalatable. Some have gone so far as to say the taste is akin to the scent of a smelly tourist attraction. I am troubled by this callous and disrespectful attitude.

In this enlightened time, is it not reasonable to expect that we release our preconceptions? Since man began to domesticate the animals and relied on husbandry over Posted to The Literary Lawyer.ca

It has recently come to my attention that certain, uninitiated members of the community believe that goat cheese is both disgusting and unpalatable. Some have gone so far as to say the taste is akin to the scent of a smelly tourist attraction. I am troubled by this callous and disrespectful attitude.

In this enlightened time, is it not reasonable to expect that we release our preconceptions? Since man began to domesticate the animals and relied on husbandry over hunting, there has been an ever increasing prejudice against the goat. For years, people have adored the lamb and despised the goat. While sheep hold a place of honour in the grassy field, the goat is tied up in front of the trailer eating garbage. We request the mutton and turn our back on the chevon. Even our Christian imagery perpetuates this by showing Jesus and his followers as the Lamb and sheep while separating the goats for judgment. It may be that Christians are the most inclined to these prejudices.

Where the goat sets itself apart is in the giving of milk. Not only will it sacrifice its body for our sustenance, it gratefully offers its life giving milk. Yet even here, the goat must compete against Baal itself, the Cow. Both the idol and the goat give us this same gift and allow us to create, cook and, most importantly, make cheese. Its time that we put aside the idolatry and look the delectable creation that is goat cheese.

Bob Shea artistically attacks the goat prejudices in us all in his book, "Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great". In this story, Goat is well rounded, talented and loving goat. Despite these amazing traits, Goat struggles to find his place in the hateful world. Enter the Unicorn. He is a depiction of the short sighted and self absorbed prejudices that have hounded the Goat for generations. Despite his best efforts, the Goat always falls short through the glasses of prejudice.

It is at this point in the story that Bob Shea takes one of the world's great injustices and turns it into a story of redemption and roadmap to understanding. When the prejudices are set aside and the goat is viewed in an honest light, the reader realizes the goat has much to offer. And what is it you ask that finally turns the tide? Goat Cheese. It is upon opening its mind to what it has previously ignored, the Unicorn discovers the greatness that is goat cheese. It is in this moment of culinary delight that we understand that it is the differences of Goat that make Goat great.

In this gem, Bob Shea not only attacks our prejudice but shows us the way to understanding. It is time that we set aside our preconceptions and release ourselves from the prejudice against the goat. Remember, a vote against goat cheese, is a vote for prejudice. ...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Betsy rated it it was amazing

I feel like it’s only recently that pop culture has opened its eyes and realized that when it comes to mythical creatures, unicorns are the funniest animals. Sasquatches rank a close second and zombies have their laughs, but for out-and-out humor, unicorns beat all (there’s a reason the “Charlie the Unicorn” vid was one of the first viral videos on YouTube). I say that and yet there hasn’t been a single funny unicorn picture book out there that I could name off the top of my head. I say there ha I feel like it’s only recently that pop culture has opened its eyes and realized that when it comes to mythical creatures, unicorns are the funniest animals. Sasquatches rank a close second and zombies have their laughs, but for out-and-out humor, unicorns beat all (there’s a reason the “Charlie the Unicorn” vid was one of the first viral videos on YouTube). I say that and yet there hasn’t been a single funny unicorn picture book out there that I could name off the top of my head. I say there hasn’t been one . . . until now. And who else would have had the sweet twisted sense to come up with the world’s greatest unicorn-related picture book other than Bob Shea? If you thrilled to his Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime and were wowed by his New Socks then hold on to your hats folks. The man has just outdone himself and the result is the funniest picture book I have read in years and years and years. Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great all right. And so will you.

Poor Goat. He’s feeling pretty downtrodden at the moment. You would too if you had to compete with someone like a Unicorn for attention. When Goat rides his bike to school no one notices him thanks to flying Unicorn. When he brings marshmallow squares (“that almost came out right”), Unicorn makes it rain cupcakes. When he tries to do a magic trick, unicorn turns stuff into gold. “I can’t follow that!” Goat’s content to mull over the situation alone, until Unicorn comes on by. First Unicorn cannot get enough out of Goat’s goat cheese pizza (unicorns can’t make cheese). Then he gets wowed by Goat’s hooves (they’re cloven). And then he starts wondering what it would be like to do stuff like play soccer without destroying the ball. When all is said and done, it may well be that Goat and Unicorn have a lot in common with one another. Maybe they’ll be friends after all.

Why should you pick this book up? I direct your attention at this time to the cover. There you will notice that the title “Unicorn” is written with sparkles and letters that are every color of the rainbow. Unicorn, for his part, is making it rain cupcakes from his hooves. Smiling cupcakes. On the back cover Unicorn is reading this book as a flock of yellow and green birds tweet their undying love to him. The title page shows a cloud raining on goat and everything else, except for smiling unicorn (a small heart coming from the cloud in adoration). On the dedication page the goat sits morosely covered in flowers that clearly erupted over his personage when Unicorn skipped past. And if all that weren’t enough, please note that when you look at the endpapers at the back of the book and you see, yet again, the unceasing row of smiling cupcakes, notice that one of them has been replaced by a partially devoured slice of goat cheese pizza. All of these details, every last one, exist around the story itself. If you can imagine how much time the author/illustrator has devoted to just these little bits and pieces, you can understand how much MORE time and love went into the actual book itself.

And yes, the art is magnificent inside as well. I mean, the fact that the unicorn is blue-eyed with red hair . . . I have no idea why that should be funny, but it is. He has this bizarre wide-eyed innocence about him. There’s also the fact that every time he enters a room he is surrounded by a universe in love with him. The shot of him approaching goat while behind him the mountains, lakes, forests, earthworms, and planes all give off little hearts of love is worth the price of admission alone. There’s actually a kind of Japanese animated sensibility to this. Shea is tapping into his inner kawaii to make a book that references the art without being direct. Note too that when Goat starts fantasizing about what awesome crime fighters the two could be, Shea subtly changes his style to become a little more old-fashioned and classic. It doesn’t jar the reader out of the book, but it does make a slight and subtle distinction to young readers that this storyline is just in Goat’s head. Remarkable!

And that’s all great. What surprised me was how amazing the writing was. First off, part of the reason the book works at all is that Shea figured out Goat’s personality from the get-go. He’s a little too eager to try and make himself look good. You know that he would kill to get the sort of attention unicorn attracts naturally. But the funny thing is that for all that we’re on to Goat from the start, we’re also on his side. Who amongst us would, in his place, feel anything but envy towards Unicorn? That’s why it works so well when Unicorn turns the tables, so to speak, and keeps oohing and aahing over Goat’s finer attributes. By the end of the story you know that Goat’s kind of a shyster and Unicorn is pretty nice, but you still feel really great over the fact that they’ve become friends.

The language of the text puts it over the top as far as I’m concerned. When Unicorn notices Goat’s feet he proclaims, “Whoa! What is up with your hooves? Those things are out of control!” Goat replies, “Oh, these? These bad boys are ‘cloven’.” Do you know how many writers of children’s books would kill to come up with picture book dialogue like this? The title alone is key to the rest of the text. It’s a contemporary look, a contemporary feel, and the language is straight out of the early 21st century. I wouldn’t have it any other way. No sir.

About the point I start hyperventilating over the fact that even the fonts in this book are fantastic (Goat speaks in a typewriter like font while Unicorn will occasionally burst out with multicolored words surrounded with sparkles) I know I have to reign myself in. So here’s the part where I mention in the review that no matter how awesome the book I’ve read is, there are still parts that need improvement.

*crickets chirp*

Honest, I did try to come up with something. But this is one of the rare books where I cannot for the life of me figure out how anything in the title could be better. It’s about a friggin’ unicorn who eats glitter and rainbows and I think it’s jim dandy. Best danged thing I’ve encountered in a long time. You know what this book really is? It’s a unicorn book that boys will actually want to read. And personally I think that’s exciting news that should be celebrated far and wide. So if you’re looking for a funny picture book that would make a killer readaloud to kids in anywhere from Kindergarten to the 3rd Grade, pluck this puppy up and keep it by your side.

For ages 4-8.
...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Tasha rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books

Goat is disgruntled. Everything was going just fine and then Unicorn came along. Goat rides his bike proudly until Unicorn actually flies by. Goat brought treats for the class and then Unicorn made it rain cupcakes. Goat was doing great at the dance but Unicorn won first prize. Goat does some simple magic coin tricks and Unicorn turns things to gold. It just is not fair. So Goat is not ready for Unicorn to come up to him when he’s having lunch and talk about how much he loves goat cheese, how he ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Apr 04, 2018 KC rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens, pre-school, picture-book, animals, friendship, emotions, humor

Darling, humorous, and delightful. Who wouldn't think unicorns aren't great!? ...more

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Nov 22, 2013 MLE rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens

Cute, and funny. The pictures made me smile, and the story had a nice message without feeling heavy or preachy. This book is definitely SMFPU approved.

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Sep 16, 2018 MissBecka Gee rated it liked it

Shelves: unicorns, completed-library-rentals, z2018-books-i-read, tiny-human-and-picture-books

This was such a weird little book.
Turns out Unicorns and Goats are both pretty great.

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2015 Benji Martin rated it it was amazing

I made a mistake the first few times I read this book. I shot too low for the age-range, and the four and five year old kids didn't really get it. I thought, maybe it just wasn't as funny as I originally thought it was, and put it on the shelf. Well, I pulled it out again this morning for the 1st and 2nd graders, and they loved it. Bob Shea doesn't write mediocre books, and I should have realized that. ...more

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Jun 27, 2020 Aneesa rated it did not like it

Shelves: picture-books

Who decided all unicorn books need to be edgy?

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 07, 2013 Matthew Hunter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: children-picture-books

Awesome on so many levels. The story of mutual jealousy between an everyman goat and golden child unicorn rings true on a psychological level. I'm guilty at times of letting appearances guide my assumptions about a person. So why wouldn't a goat assume that a unicorn who could make it rain cupcakes and turn things to gold wasn't high on himself? To the goat's surprise, the unicorn's jealous of his ability to make cheese from goat milk, of his strong garbage tolerant stomach, and of his climb-tas ...more

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Oct 05, 2020 Ethan & Isaac rated it really liked it

Shelves: friendship

We all have different strengths. Like I'm good at baseball and my brother's good at barking. ...more

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Oct 09, 2013 Crystal Bandel rated it really liked it

Shelves: grade-1, picture-book, grade-2, z571, grade-k, pre-k

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea, published 2013.

Fiction.

Picture book.

Pre-K to grade 2.

Found via Horn Book Magazine, reviewed by Lolly Robinson.

Goat thinks he's pretty cool, until Unicorn moves in and wows everyone at school with his unicorn abilities, from flying to making it rain cupcakes. Goat gets more and more jealous, until Unicorn lets Goat know just how jealous he is of him! By the end of this book, the two of them are best friends, each enjoying what the other can do well. T ...more

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Jul 22, 2013 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: funny, picture-books, jealousy, goats, unicorns

LOVE this author/illustrator's work; I was eagerly anticipating this book! Goat introduces readers to Unicorn who is sunshine and roses, and sugar and spice and everything nice all in one!

Goat goes on a jealous rant about Unicorn, but is interrupted by Unicorn's appreciation of his goat-cheese pizza. Unicorn takes the time to recognize Goat's unique characteristics and the two become unlikely friends.

I really liked the premise of this title. Goat's rant is hilarious! I especially liked when he ...more

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Nov 09, 2014 Rossy rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s

Lovely illustrations, everything is so detailed and cute! Unicorn is always surrounded by colors and hearts <3
Goat, poor goat, everything he does, unicorn does it better and without effort, so he wants the kind of attention unicorn gets, it's not fair! Unicorn is so... meh!
But, does unicorn feel the same? Can they be friends?
...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Kathryn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens-picture-books

Loved it! Funny and wise and a complete delight.

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May 28, 2013 Edward Sullivan rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books

Sure, goats and unicorns can both do cool things the other can't do but neither can poop rainbows. ...more

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Jun 17, 2013 Karin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-reads, childrens, picture-books

A fun look at "the grass is always greener on the other side." Goat is jealous of Unicorn and Unicorn is jealous of Goat. Fun and quirky! It isn't often you get goats featured in books. ...more

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Jun 18, 2013 Whitney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-books

So awesome.
"Taste my cloven justice!"
"You've been unicorned!" ...more

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Jul 03, 2013 Cass Mabbott rated it liked it

Not my favorite Bob Shea but still pretty great. My favorite line? "TASTE MY CLOVEN JUSTICE!" (said by Goat during a fight scene). ...more

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Nov 23, 2013 Elspeth rated it really liked it

Shelves: twenty-thirteen

What a great message, this was really cute!

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2015 Lexie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 4-years-old, 4-years-old-favorites

My daughter now runs around the house yelling "Taste my cloven justice! You've been Unicorned". ...more

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May 16, 2015 Laura Harrison rated it it was amazing

My favorite Bob Shea book. Every time I read it I just laugh myself silly. Probably best for first and second graders. Protagonist is edgy but in a hilarious way. Good stuff!

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2016 Maggi Rohde rated it really liked it

Fantastic book for discussing making friends, self-confidence, including others and point of view/perspective.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2018 Alexandria rated it really liked it

Shelves: 365_2018, childrens-books

Oh this books was fun to read aloud. The grumpy goat gives the reader a chance to try out gruff, irritated voices and the sweet unicorn is the perpetually-peppy person so many of us know and love from kids' books. With bright illustrations and a great vocabulary, this book is sure to be a favorite among a range of ages. ...more

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Sep 05, 2018 Jeanie {coffeegirl.blog} rated it it was amazing

I absolutely love unicorns, but after this book I love goats too! It seems as though all of the focus on Unicorn has made Goat a little left out. Then an unexpected twist occurs in the story, Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great which changes Goats perception; as well as, the entire outlook of the picture book.

Readers of all ages will find a lesson of diversity, uniqueness, and friendship in this magical fantasy! ...more

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Dec 06, 2017 Kristen Dutkiewicz rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens

Unicorns are pretty magical but billy goat soon finds out unicorns have their downfalls too.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 08, 2017 J rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s-books, finished-in-2017

I read this to different groups of preschoolers. It was fun to read aloud and had some good vocabulary in it. Teachers at/from different daycares who were present when I read it were heavily amused.

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Feb 26, 2018 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books

Goat is pretty jealous of Unicorn but really, we all have someone we are fond of and forget we can be just as awesome. All depends on how you view yourself.

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About Bob Shea

Bob Shea

293 followers

Bob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith.

His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.

Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.