I Wished for a Unicorn

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

“I wished for a unicorn. / I wished so hard / That I found a unicorn /
In my backyard // He didn’t have a mane / His tail wagged around / He
chomped on a bone / Dug up from the ground / His ears flapped about / In
a happy way. / His tongue hung out / ’Cause he wanted to play // He
didn’t neigh softly / As Unicorns do. / He barked and he howled / and
he yowled—aaaaOOOOOO!”

The above verse comes from the first two pages of this wonderful story
about a bored youngster whose imagination takes her and her make-believe
unicorn on an amazing adventure. They wrestle through an enchanted
forest, dodge sea monsters, and storm a sorcerer’s castle with magic
wands. Once inside, they make a big nasty dragon cry and an evil wizard
shrink until he is harmless. Of course, all this adventure takes a lot
of energy and the triumphant pair settle down for a well-deserved nap.
When the child wakes up, her unicorn is gone and only her shaggy little
dog is sharing her backyard. The child is not discouraged, however,
because she knows that she can wish for a unicorn again tomorrow.

Both rhythm and humor flow effortlessly through the pages of this
delightful book thanks to the graceful verse by Robert Heidbreder and
lighthearted illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton. The fact that the
unicorn is consistently portrayed as a bone-chomping, tail-wagging pup
creates a comical contrast with the child’s imaginary landscapes and
harmless monsters. Highly recommended.