The Unicorn Prince

by Saviour Pirotta, Jane Ray (Illustrator)

If you love The Frog Prince and The Elves and the Shoemaker, you'll love this tale of love, magic ... and unicorns!

Annis and her grandmother live in a cold, draughty castle on top of a hill, which they share with their chickens and their cow. They may be poor, but Annis's heart is full of kindness. Offering a home to an injured unicorn and a family of fairies one day, her kindness is magically rewarded. But will her good fortune bring her happiness and love?

This entrancing fairy tale is brought gloriously to life by Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee Jane Ray.

"Jane Ray's jewel-bright illustrations shine like the flourishes of an illuminated manuscript in Saviour Pirotta's The Unicorn Prince, featuring a crumbling castle, a dauntless heroine, industrious fairies and an enchanted prince. Gorgeous gowns, wild dreams, transformations and galloping moonlit freedom are also thrown into the mix." Observer

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2020

About the author

Saviour Pirotta is the award-winning author of over one hundred fiction and nonfiction books for children. His works have been translated into 28 languages. Originally from Malta, he now lives in England.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up from 4.8

A fun bedtime story. I would like to know which tales this story is based on. It kind of reminds me of Cinderella and Beauty and the beast a bit mixed together with a few others. I’m a sucker for pretty artwork and thought this book had a fantastic illustrator. Kids enjoyed it a lot.

[Eilidh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been a lovely story, except the bit about the prince being turned into a unicorn. How could a wicked witch have the power to turn a human into a majestic and innately magical beast? And the bit about the Prince apparently being able to turn back into a unicorn at will after the curse is broken. Further, based on the folk tales I'm familiar with, I'd have to agree with the Prince of the North that the fairy folk are not to be trusted, so his cold dismissal seemed a bit unfair. The illustrations are nice, and if it didn't grate so badly on a rather taut unicorn nerve the story would be too.

[Tanya Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my daughter after it was included in The Guardian’s Books of the Month roundup. We loved it. It’s hot everything to make it a book that will last. A proactive and kind heroine, a derelict castle, a unicorn, fairies and a magic transformation.

[BrookesEducationLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely picture book and a contemporary fairy story about a kind-hearted girl who meets an injured unicorn and a group of fairies.

[Sophie May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this tale. Satisfying ending with a magical touch throughout. Stunning images by Jane Ray

[Sue Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lover of fairy tale, this is a happy story in true fairy tale style about a girl whose kindness and compassion is rewarded with happiness.

[Gail Wylde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read t the his multiple times as it has become a favourite bedtime read for my grandchildren.

[Catie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and beautiful illustrations. Kids who are nuts for fairies (and kind of unicorns) will enjoy.