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A Unicorn Named Sparkle #4
A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster
The fourth book in the A Unicorn Named Sparkle series features pumpkins, silly adventures, and of course, a sparkly friendship -- perfect for Autumn!
Lucy and our favorite unicorn are back in Sparkle the Unicorn and the Pumpkin Monster. Lucy and Sparkle love Halloween, especially at Frank's Pumpkin Farm. They get to run through corn mazes, play games, decorate pumpkins, and most importantly: eat a lot of cider donuts.
But Lucy and Sparkle discover one big difference between them -- Lucy loves to be scared every once in awhile. Sparkle? Not so much.
When Lucy takes the scary part of Halloween one step too far for Sparkle, she must comfort her frightened unicorn pal -- and win back his trust.
Lucy and our favorite unicorn are back in Sparkle the Unicorn and the Pumpkin Monster. Lucy and Sparkle love Halloween, especially at Frank's Pumpkin Farm. They get to run through corn mazes, play games, decorate pumpkins, and most importantly: eat a lot of cider donuts.
But Lucy and Sparkle discover one big difference between them -- Lucy loves to be scared every once in awhile. Sparkle? Not so much.
When Lucy takes the scary part of Halloween one step too far for Sparkle, she must comfort her frightened unicorn pal -- and win back his trust.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2020
2 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Amy Young
18 books39 followersAmy Young trained as a fine artist at Yale and received an MFA in painting from Indiana University as well as a law degree from Harvard. She lives in Spring Lake, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 17, 2020
Lucy and her unicorn companion Sparkle head to Pat's Pumpkin Farm for a fun autumn day in this sweetly magical seasonal adventure. Picking out pumpkins together, and then carving them, the two discover that while Lucy had a penchant for the spooky, Sparkle prefers the sweet and friendly. When Lucy inadvertently scares Sparkle away, the frightened unicorn heads to the pumpkin patch, until he hears an eerie noise that he believes must be the Pumpkin Monster. Where can he hide..?
A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster is the fourth of author/illustrator Amy Young's picture-book to feature this girl/unicorn duo, following upon A Unicorn Named Sparkle , A New Friend for Sparkle and A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas . After enjoying the first two books and finding the third a bit of a miss, I was curious to see what I would make of this fourth entry in the series. On the whole I enjoyed it. The story is engaging, with some delicious thrills and a happy ending, and I appreciated the fact that Lucy quickly realizes her mistake, and sets out to correct it. I also appreciated that she gets a taste of her own medicine, when she too thinks the Pumpkin Monster is coming after her. This story might be used to launch a discussion with young children about being considerate to others, when they don't enjoy the same things we do. Halloween is a time for tricks, but it's worth recalling that not everybody enjoys being frightened, even in jest. The artwork here is cute, in a cartoon-like style, and captures the spooky but humorous fun. The final scene, in which Sparkle gives out a rainbow-colored fart, will have young children giggling. Recommended to fans of Lucy and Sparkle, and to picture-book readers looking for unicorn and/or Halloween stories.
A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster is the fourth of author/illustrator Amy Young's picture-book to feature this girl/unicorn duo, following upon A Unicorn Named Sparkle , A New Friend for Sparkle and A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas . After enjoying the first two books and finding the third a bit of a miss, I was curious to see what I would make of this fourth entry in the series. On the whole I enjoyed it. The story is engaging, with some delicious thrills and a happy ending, and I appreciated the fact that Lucy quickly realizes her mistake, and sets out to correct it. I also appreciated that she gets a taste of her own medicine, when she too thinks the Pumpkin Monster is coming after her. This story might be used to launch a discussion with young children about being considerate to others, when they don't enjoy the same things we do. Halloween is a time for tricks, but it's worth recalling that not everybody enjoys being frightened, even in jest. The artwork here is cute, in a cartoon-like style, and captures the spooky but humorous fun. The final scene, in which Sparkle gives out a rainbow-colored fart, will have young children giggling. Recommended to fans of Lucy and Sparkle, and to picture-book readers looking for unicorn and/or Halloween stories.
February 24, 2021
Fourth in the series. Lucy loves Halloween and the scary portions of this holiday. Sparkle - not so much. Each learns to be sensitive to the other and readers enjoy the fun and adventures as Sparkle finds his bravery.
November 5, 2021
I love all of the Sparkle books! If you have not met Sparkle, he is Lucy's pet unicorn. In the first book - Lucy wants a pet unicorn and she gets Sparkle - who is not her idea of what a unicorn looks like. He is more like a goat with one horn. And Lucy is not happy. At first. But then she and Sparkle bond and become best buddies. In this adventure, she and Sparkle visit a pumpkin patch! Lucy is pretty brave while Sparkle is more on the timid side. Lucy scares Sparkle and he runs away. Oh no! Where did Sparkle go?
I think this is a great book to show kids both sides of being a little bit scared of creepy things. Lucy loves them; Sparkle doesn't. It's kind of Halloween-ish because they are carving pumpkins but there's no trick-or-treating. Just pumpkin patch fun and lots of apple cider donuts. Pick up a few to share after you have read this story!
I would pair it with "We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt" by Wilcox. There are several versions but I think this one would work nicely with Sparkle's Pumpkin Monster.
I think this is a great book to show kids both sides of being a little bit scared of creepy things. Lucy loves them; Sparkle doesn't. It's kind of Halloween-ish because they are carving pumpkins but there's no trick-or-treating. Just pumpkin patch fun and lots of apple cider donuts. Pick up a few to share after you have read this story!
I would pair it with "We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt" by Wilcox. There are several versions but I think this one would work nicely with Sparkle's Pumpkin Monster.
November 3, 2020
Lucy and Sparkle visit the pumpkin patch where Sparkle is frightened by a scary Jack-o'-Lantern.
At Pat's Pumpkin Farm, Lucy and Sparkle participate in seasonal activities such as walking a corn maze, drinking cider, and picking pumpkins. Lucy decorates her pumpkin with a scary face and accidently scares Sparkle who runs away and hides inside a giant pumpkin.
After a comic chase, Lucy and Sparkle are reunited, and the existence of a pumpkin monster is revealed to be a misunderstanding.
Because Halloween is mentioned on inner flap of the dust jacket but not within the story itself, this would make a good choice for a seasonal book. The minor scary moments are also humorous.
Sparkle seems to have evolved from one-horned goat to actual unicorn as he now has the power to shoot rainbows from his horn.
At Pat's Pumpkin Farm, Lucy and Sparkle participate in seasonal activities such as walking a corn maze, drinking cider, and picking pumpkins. Lucy decorates her pumpkin with a scary face and accidently scares Sparkle who runs away and hides inside a giant pumpkin.
After a comic chase, Lucy and Sparkle are reunited, and the existence of a pumpkin monster is revealed to be a misunderstanding.
Because Halloween is mentioned on inner flap of the dust jacket but not within the story itself, this would make a good choice for a seasonal book. The minor scary moments are also humorous.
Sparkle seems to have evolved from one-horned goat to actual unicorn as he now has the power to shoot rainbows from his horn.
September 29, 2020
Lucy and her pet unicorn Sparkle head to the pumpkin farm for some fall fun. Lucy is excited for all of the spookiest and scariest parts of Halloween, but Sparkle isn’t as much of a fan. When Lucy goes a little too far in her scary antics, her friendship with Sparkle is put in jeopardy.
We own all of the books in the Sparkle series, and I have to say this is my least favorite of the bunch. It’d lacking a little bit of substance or detail, and the storyline doesn’t feel totally complete to me, it’s a little rushed. The illustrations are cute and my kids enjoyed it but it’s not one that will become an enduring favorite for us.
We own all of the books in the Sparkle series, and I have to say this is my least favorite of the bunch. It’d lacking a little bit of substance or detail, and the storyline doesn’t feel totally complete to me, it’s a little rushed. The illustrations are cute and my kids enjoyed it but it’s not one that will become an enduring favorite for us.
October 22, 2020
I was not really a fan of the other two Sparkle books I read, but I couldn't resist this one with it being Halloween.
This book was actually good! Lucy likes being scared for Halloween but Sparkle isn't enjoying it. They do some fun fall things and then are both being scared by 'the pumpkin monster.' But I was pleasantly surprised to see that Lucy apologizes to Sparkle and says "You are such a good friend to me. I won't ever try to scare you again because I want to be a good friend to you." I really disliked her behavior especially in the Christmas book, so I'm glad to see she's learned some friendship lessons.
There was also some cool rainbow magic from Sparkle's horn.
This book was actually good! Lucy likes being scared for Halloween but Sparkle isn't enjoying it. They do some fun fall things and then are both being scared by 'the pumpkin monster.' But I was pleasantly surprised to see that Lucy apologizes to Sparkle and says "You are such a good friend to me. I won't ever try to scare you again because I want to be a good friend to you." I really disliked her behavior especially in the Christmas book, so I'm glad to see she's learned some friendship lessons.
There was also some cool rainbow magic from Sparkle's horn.
August 25, 2021
So Sparkle can now shoot rainbows out of his horn? So is he actually a unicorn and not a cute little goat with a single horn? I thought that was the joke? This series is muddy, like the author can't make up her mind and just switches between goat and unicorn whenever it suits her.
This book had potential, with a Fall and Halloween theme. Pretty illustrations, but pointless plot. Hiding from the "pumpkin monster" (or do you mean, the Great Pumpkin!?) inside of a pumpkin that he hollowed out with his horn was kind of a stretch.
This book had potential, with a Fall and Halloween theme. Pretty illustrations, but pointless plot. Hiding from the "pumpkin monster" (or do you mean, the Great Pumpkin!?) inside of a pumpkin that he hollowed out with his horn was kind of a stretch.
September 24, 2020
I might have read the first in the series, but I do not remember. But this is about Halloween/pumpkins so I had to give it a shot. I was surprised as Sparkle is about all the fun things that happen. It's an interesting idea about having fun (and it not working out as hoped) but also about scaring people. I wonder if kids will get the message. Adults will enjoy as much (if not more) as kids. Great illustrations
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September 10, 2020This is my first Unicorn Named Sparkle book and honestly, I thought he was a goat? But it turns out he IS a unicorn. And he's scared of Halloween. This is a cute series for young unicorn lovers (and there are sooo-oooo many of them right now) and it's a not-too-scary story for Halloween, if that's what you're looking for.
February 16, 2021
As ever, Sparkle and Lucy make a great pair and tell a fun little story that unicorn enthusiasts and goat fans alike can enjoy. I really liked how Sparkle was freaked out and gets scared easily, and THAT IS OKAY! The lighthearted fun and friendship here would be perfect for an early childhood audience around Halloween, when there is definitely a call for it from families and for programming/storytimes with little ones.
November 9, 2020
Definitely a little silly but Halloween + unicorn + little girl acknowledging that sparkle doesn’t like being scared and saying she won’t tease him like that again because she wants to be a good friend = 🥰
October 31, 2022
Read for CuTieS book club October 31, 2022
Theme: Halloween
One of my favorite Halloween books. Plenty of humor and "action" to keep the kids engaged. And any book that ends with a unicorn tooting rainbows is a win with the kids!
Theme: Halloween
One of my favorite Halloween books. Plenty of humor and "action" to keep the kids engaged. And any book that ends with a unicorn tooting rainbows is a win with the kids!
August 1, 2020
What was that mysterious aaaaahhhh noise? Never answered.
October 9, 2020
A super cute book about Sparkle's adventure with pumpkins! The images are small so it would make a better one-on-one story with lower elementary children.
October 13, 2020
Unicorns and Halloween? An unbeatable combination to appeal to a 4 1/2 year old girl!
October 16, 2020
This was cute. I liked the illustrations and the story. It was well paced and a good plot. Cute Halloween continuation of the series.
January 13, 2021
3.5 stars
Not my favorite in the series but still adorable.
Not my favorite in the series but still adorable.
January 22, 2021
Why did Lucy's parents drop her off unattended at the pumpkin farm?
August 17, 2021
Loved it! A Halloween classic!
November 1, 2021
Cute Halloween edition to Sparkle series, basic be a good friend and not scare you friend when they are afraid kind of story. Third star for the sound effect “sploot”!
October 13, 2022
The best is seeing my nephew re-enact this book!
October 28, 2022
Okay, these lil unicorn books are real cute.
December 12, 2023
This is my favorite book about my favorite holiday. It's funny and spooky. Sparkle and Lucy have adventures and their friendship is tested.
September 30, 2024
A unicorn takes a fright in a pumpkin patch. No, it's not a ghost, just a case of mistaken identity. Little ones who like the spooky-but-not-scary, unicorns and silliness will delight.
October 19, 2024
Lucy and Sparkle the unicorn are out to have some Halloween fun, drinking cider, eating donuts, going through corn mazes, and picking out the perfect pumpkin. But when Sparkle is startled and runs off in the pumpkin patch, he is confronted by the pumpkin monster. Can Lucy find Sparkle before the monster does him in?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews