Unicorns Are the Worst!

by Alex Willan, Alex Willan (Illustrator)

Overview

Perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, this wildly funny and imaginative picture book celebrates the value of differences as a grumpy goblin gets to know his new unicorn neighbors.

It’s an undeniable fact that unicorns are the worst!

Magic is serious business, but all unicorns do is frolic around, have tea parties, and leave glitter all over the place! They’re nothing like goblins—practical and hard-working, who can put magic to good use! Unicorns aren’t helpful at all.

Or are they?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534453838
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/29/2020
Series:	The Worst! Series
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	21,486
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of the Worst! picture book series and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.

If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of the Worst! picture book series and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A fun, fresh take on unicorns—oh, and goblins, too."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2020-06-30
A goblin is completely unimpressed with unicorns, especially now that they’re neighbors.

This goblin protagonist has been living in peace for hundreds of years until unicorns “move into the meadow next door.” Unicorns aren’t the only magical creatures out there, the narrator reminds readers tartly. Goblins can do magic spells, like turning slugs into socks, while unicorns just frolic around and play their harps. And there’s always “SO. MUCH. GLITTER!” Someone needs to be serious about the work of magic, and it isn’t the unicorns. Caught up in complaining, the goblin fails to notice a pair of glowing eyes lurking in the forest. In times of great danger, unicorns prove that the things the goblin didn’t like are unicorns’ greatest strengths. Through humor, action, and, yes, glitter, the goblin learns not to make assumptions and judge others. The goblin’s evident hurt feelings at not being invited to unicorn tea parties also convey its own subtle message. The goblin’s irascible narration, conveyed largely in dialogue balloons, is delightfully funny and perfect for reading aloud. The colorful and eye-catching illustrations add to the hilarity of the text, with startling shifts in compositional perspective aiding the goblin’s own perspective change. The unicorns are whimsically candy-colored while the comically noseless goblin, more practical and serious, is portrayed often in shadow or against duller backgrounds. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 62.6% of actual size.)

A fun, fresh take on unicorns—oh, and goblins, too. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews