The Very Short, Entirely True History of Unicorns

Laskow explores the mythology and history of unicorns, from their first documented references by ancient Greek and Roman writers to today’s ubiquitous unicorn-themed foods, memes, and wearable unicorn horns. Laskow includes works of classic unicorn art, such as medieval tapestries, and explores unicorn legends beyond Europe (India’s Rishyasringa is “a unicorn-like man”). Beck’s versatile, original illustrations supply a light, modern aesthetic (a bride is pictured wearing a unicorn wedding dress). In addition to the subject’s inclusion in literature and art, sections explore the unicorn’s potency as a symbol of health, hope, and healing, with the unicorn horn said to have medicinal properties. But are unicorns really real? Laskow describes extinct and existing animals, including narwhals, whose tusks were once mistaken for unicorn horns, and which may account for some unicorn myths. If the mythical animals’ enduring resonance proves anything, Laskow suggests, unicorns are in no danger of leaving the realms of collective imagination any time soon. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)