Theme · Unicorns
Unicorn books for children: a new theme, and what we really know
Unicorns are everywhere, from school bags to birthday cakes. Most websites say they develop the imagination. Here's what's actually known, what isn't, and how to choose a unicorn story that doesn't wear out after three readings.
The honest finding: nothing to prove here
We looked for work in developmental psychology or reading research on the appeal of unicorns. There's nothing solid: no study says when or why children fall for them.
What exists is a market story. Today's colourful unicorn is a popular-culture phenomenon, carried by social media and merchandise, around the world.
Why we say so rather than claim something else. To say unicorns develop creativity would apply to any other theme, and it's proven for none. A unicorn needs no educational justification: if a child loves them, that's reason enough for a unicorn book.
A very young theme, and how to choose
Unlike dinosaurs, witches or fire engines, the unicorn has no long tradition in children's books. As a legendary creature it's ancient; as the colourful theme of picture books it's recent, and most unicorn books are titles from recent years, close to the merchandise.
What that changes when you buy. Since the theme guarantees nothing, look at the story. A unicorn who has to overcome something, lose, search, get things wrong, lasts longer than a unicorn who sparkles on every page. Read a few pages in the shop before you buy.
And if your child believes they exist? Research describes the distinction between fantasy and reality as a gradual process, starting at around two and continuing into primary school.1 A child can know unicorns don't exist and love pretending they do. The two go perfectly well together.
Or a story of their own
If your child should be the hero
- Your child meets a unicorn who has lost its horn and sets off with it through the forest, where everyone has a different clue.
- A unicorn wants to be an ordinary horse for a day, and your child shows it what that means.
- Your child discovers that the unicorn from their favourite book has stepped out of the page and has to get it back before the bedtime story ends.
Frequently asked questions
- Why do children love unicorns so much?
- No study explains it. Today's colourful unicorn is a popular-culture phenomenon, carried by social media and merchandise. If a child loves them, that's reason enough for a book, with no educational justification needed.
- Do unicorns develop the imagination?
- It isn't proven, and it would be true of any other fantasy theme. What matters for the imagination is the story: a unicorn who has to search, get things wrong or overcome something gives more to imagine than one who only sparkles.
- Are there classic unicorn books?
- Hardly. As a legendary creature the unicorn is ancient, but as a picture-book theme it's recent, and most unicorn books are titles from recent years.
- My child thinks unicorns are real. Should I worry?
- No. The distinction between fantasy and reality develops gradually, from around two into primary school. Many children know unicorns don't exist and still love pretending.
Sources
- 1.Woolley, J. D. and Ghossainy, M. E. (2013): Revisiting the Fantasy-Reality Distinction, Children as Naïve Skeptics. Child Development 84(5), 1496-1510.What it confirms: The distinction between fantasy and reality as a gradual process, starting at around two and continuing into primary school.
Other themes: Animals, Autumn, Dinosaurs, Rabbits, Moles, Elephants, Witches and Fire engines. Or children's books by age, growing up, topic by topic and all the illustration styles.