cover image Welcome to Unicorn School (Dave the Unicorn #1)

Welcome to Unicorn School (Dave the Unicorn #1)

Pip Bird, illus. by David O’Connell. Imprint, $15.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-250-25634-8

In this light series opener, Mira “thought she might faint with delight” when she receives her acceptance letter to Unicorn School, where students are assigned their own unicorns, “specially chosen for each person for specific magical reasons.” Since she has long fantasized about her ideal unicorn match, she is taken aback when she’s paired with Dave, a small, potbellied creature with an unruly strawlike mane. Yet Mira is encouraged when she sees a twinkle in his eye—until he lifts his tail and “unleashed a giant heap of poop” onto the teacher’s feet. Aided by O’Connell’s spunky pictures, Bird chronicles the misadventures of Dave and Mira as they repeatedly blunder into trouble (in episodes ranging from comical to gratuitous) before Dave emerges heroic, and Mira delivers the crowning message: “Friendship really is the best kind of magic.” Publishing simultaneously: Team Spirit (Dave the Unicorn #2). Ages 7–10. [em](July) [/em]