Have you Seen The New Forest Unicorn? Review
AD – This book was gifted for the purpose of a review
Have you Seen The New Forest Unicorn? Is a brand new book by Carole Smith about six adorable foals and their adventures looking for the New Forest Unicorn. It is aimed at young children with lots of beautiful illustrations for parents and little ones to look at together. That said, it has a lovely story and older ones will enjoy it too. I asked my nine year old to review it for me. This is what she thought.
About Have you Seen The New Forest Unicorn?
Horse-loving author Carole Smith wrote this book by drawing inspiration from both ponies she has owned and the beautiful area she lives in. The foals are cheeky, friendly and adventurous. On their journey, they meet other characters including older ponies, an owl and a deer. Different animals have their own thoughts on where the unicorn might be, or whether it exists at all. The doubt doesn’t put the foals off, they believe in the unicorn and they’re determined to find it.
Monarch the stag, a majestic deer gives the foals good advice about eating too many apples and how it can lead to colic. He even knows the best time to see a unicorn, so the foals wait for autumn to arrive. When the unicorn appears in the sky on bonfire night, the foals get their wish. The next day, it’s time for them to be taken into the barn for the winter. Here, an older pony takes them under his wing. The first lesson in their new home is all about unicorns.
Lia’s review
Have you Seen The New Forest Unicorn? Is a story about six cheeky New Forest ponies. My favourite character is Willow, because she is playful and pretty. The New Forest foals go to other animals to ask them about the New Forest unicorn. I would recommend this book to ages 1-7. It is a really good book and it is a gentle story that younger children would enjoy.
About the Author
Retired Financial Director Carole describes herself as “horse mad”. Even as a child, she loved trips to the New Forest to see the ponies. Carole has always been a horse rider and feels privileged to have ridden daily in the New Forest. Whilst she no longer rides, she still spends a lot of time walking in the Forest. She enjoys seeing the ponies, deer, cattle and other animals through the changing seasons.
Carole found being isolated from her family during lockdown extremely difficult. In particular, she missed her granddaughter who shares her love of the New Forest ponies. This book was born during lockdown as a story to share via FaceTime while keeping in touch with family. It is based on horses she has known and loved in her lifetime.
