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Margaret's Unicorn
Margaret's whole world changes when her family moves to a cottage by the sea to be near her grandma. One evening, Margaret spots a mist over the water. No, that's not mist...clouds maybe? No, they're unicorns descending onto the shore! They vanish as quickly as they'd appeared, but accidentally leave behind a baby, tangled in the weeds. Margaret, lonely and in need of a friend, brings him home and cares for him through the fall and winter. Together, they chase the waves, stomp on frozen puddles, and build snow unicorns. When spring finally comes around, and the other unicorns return, Margaret's takes her small friend back to his family... but these two won't forget one another. And though Margaret misses him, she has made a new friend, and her new cottage is starting to feel like home.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2020
12 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
October 27, 2021
Margaret moves to a remote part of Scotland to be nearer to her Grandmother. She finds a baby unicorn and takes it home to care for it. The unicorn joins in with Margaret's daily life and they both grow accustomed to their new life together.
The illustrations are beautiful, a book about unicorns makes you fear the worst, lilac, pale pink, sparkly stuff, none of that to be seen here thankfully, lovely scenes of Scottish rural life.
Two minor disappointing details, the text for one illustration tells you they are picking up and feeling a horse chestnut but the whole page illustration shows you a sweet chestnut tree and sweet chestnut, which looks very different and one is edible and the other isn't. Another page shows and tells you, that you can tell it is spring because the gorse bushes have just started to flower. Gorse bushes are well known for being the only UK flower that flowers all year round. So disappointing, these two things would have literally taken a few seconds to google and these sort of inaccuracies are very confusing for children.
Mistakes aside, this is a very nice story and one I would buy if I came across it.
The illustrations are beautiful, a book about unicorns makes you fear the worst, lilac, pale pink, sparkly stuff, none of that to be seen here thankfully, lovely scenes of Scottish rural life.
Two minor disappointing details, the text for one illustration tells you they are picking up and feeling a horse chestnut but the whole page illustration shows you a sweet chestnut tree and sweet chestnut, which looks very different and one is edible and the other isn't. Another page shows and tells you, that you can tell it is spring because the gorse bushes have just started to flower. Gorse bushes are well known for being the only UK flower that flowers all year round. So disappointing, these two things would have literally taken a few seconds to google and these sort of inaccuracies are very confusing for children.
Mistakes aside, this is a very nice story and one I would buy if I came across it.
October 12, 2020
This is probably the best picture book I've read all year, and the strongest unicorn book I've ever read.
Margaret has just moved with her parents to a small village to be near her grandmother. She's a bit lonely. When her parents suggest she explores, she witnesses a herd of unicorns galloping through the mist. Margaret is surprised to find that a little baby unicorn has been left behind. She takes him under her wing, and the two spend a magical winter together as they wait for spring--and the return of the other unicorns.
The story is simple and sweet, and the illustrations are just gorgeous. Light is used to great effect and highlights the sensory impressions of the changing seasons. The little unicorn is the traditional Scottish kind, with cloven hooves and tasselled tail. The setting of the story, in fact, looks decidedly Scottish, with its hills full of thistles and heather.
This is a definite must-read for unicorn lovers, as well as those looking for stories about magic, friendship, and adapting to a new home.
Quotable moment:
Margaret has just moved with her parents to a small village to be near her grandmother. She's a bit lonely. When her parents suggest she explores, she witnesses a herd of unicorns galloping through the mist. Margaret is surprised to find that a little baby unicorn has been left behind. She takes him under her wing, and the two spend a magical winter together as they wait for spring--and the return of the other unicorns.
The story is simple and sweet, and the illustrations are just gorgeous. Light is used to great effect and highlights the sensory impressions of the changing seasons. The little unicorn is the traditional Scottish kind, with cloven hooves and tasselled tail. The setting of the story, in fact, looks decidedly Scottish, with its hills full of thistles and heather.
This is a definite must-read for unicorn lovers, as well as those looking for stories about magic, friendship, and adapting to a new home.
Quotable moment:
October 11, 2021
When Margaret and her parents move to a remote cottage in the mountains, in order to be close to her grandmother, the young girl isn't sure how she feels about this new place. Then one misty day, watching a cloud of seeming unicorns fly by, she discovers a baby unicorn in the grass, apparently left behind by the herd. Margaret and her family care for the unicorn for one year, and in that time the young girls comes to love her equine companion. When the herd returns, the unicorn returns to his mother, but he visits Margaret again when he is somewhat older, and there is a hint that there will always be a connection between the two...
Margaret's Unicorn is my first encounter with British author/illustrator Briony May Smith's work, but I certainly hope it will not be my last! I found it absolutely delightful, appreciating both the sensitively told, ultimately heartwarming tale, and the charming, expressive artwork. An online friend brought my attention to this one, last year, but I had to wait a while until my public library obtained a copy. How glad I am that they did! I loved the use of color and light here - the setting feels like the Scottish Highlands to me - and I thought Smith's changing depiction of the unicorn - speckled as a baby, and pure white when grown - was beautiful. I also greatly appreciated the fact that Margaret didn't get to "keep" the unicorn - that he is depicted as a wild and free magical being, one that might need help from time to time, but that must be allowed to rejoin his kind. I think this gives the story greater power, highlighting the fact that the animals we love do not really "belong" to us, but rather, are friends who are in our care for a time. Highly recommended, to all young unicorn lovers, and perhaps to older ones as well.
Margaret's Unicorn is my first encounter with British author/illustrator Briony May Smith's work, but I certainly hope it will not be my last! I found it absolutely delightful, appreciating both the sensitively told, ultimately heartwarming tale, and the charming, expressive artwork. An online friend brought my attention to this one, last year, but I had to wait a while until my public library obtained a copy. How glad I am that they did! I loved the use of color and light here - the setting feels like the Scottish Highlands to me - and I thought Smith's changing depiction of the unicorn - speckled as a baby, and pure white when grown - was beautiful. I also greatly appreciated the fact that Margaret didn't get to "keep" the unicorn - that he is depicted as a wild and free magical being, one that might need help from time to time, but that must be allowed to rejoin his kind. I think this gives the story greater power, highlighting the fact that the animals we love do not really "belong" to us, but rather, are friends who are in our care for a time. Highly recommended, to all young unicorn lovers, and perhaps to older ones as well.
September 13, 2022
I love this! I just want to hug it whenever I think of it. I’ve been on a quest to check out books from the library that appeal to my inner child and this absolutely does. Margaret feels like a kindred spirit and I adored everything about this book, the illustrations, the storytelling, and the magic. Margaret’s family is sensitive and loving as she struggles to adjust to life in a new town and it made me so happy that they accept the magic that Margaret encounters in her life when she finds a baby unicorn accidentally left behind when the herd passed through their quiet countryside. I love that we follow Margaret and her rescue unicorn throughout the year, so we get to see them in a variety of seasons: splashing in the waves, nestled in a cozy bush of autumn leaves, baking holiday dinner, building a snow-unicorn (yes, there’s a snow-unicorn! as I said, little-girl-me was squealing with glee) and picnicking under a blossoming cherry tree. Margaret and the unicorn are there for one another when they both feel alone and friendless, but they both grow through the year and new relationships await. There’s a bit of an ache, as you sense that the unicorn herd will come back for the lost baby when they migrate through the area as the days grow long again; but the ending is so beautifully written, it left me with a smile instead of a tear. It's an important message for children that wild creatures are never "ours" -- they deserve their freedom -- but we can have a special connection with them, nonetheless. I don’t expect this to be a five star for everyone – like I said, it just happened to be a kindred spirit read for me and one of my favorite books I’ve read this year!
September 7, 2021
I would like to stop, rewind, and have a re-do because I want Margaret's life, please.
One autumn, young Margaret moves with her mom and dad to a stone cottage out in the faraway mountains so they can be close to her aging grandmother. The day they move into the big, empty place with its weird smells, Margaret's mother puts a thermos of hot chocolate into Margaret's hands and sends her out to explore within the agreed-upon boundaries. Margaret's father promises her new bedroom will be just like her old bedroom by the time she returns.
While looking out to sea, Margaret sees a roiling mist that isn't mist, it's cloud, only it's not clouds, it's a herd of passing unicorns. After they're gone, Margaret finds a baby unicorn tangled in the weeds and she brings it home to winter with her in the old stone cottage.
Luckily, Margaret's grandmother knows all about unicorns and the entire family makes sure both Margaret and her new friend enjoy a cozy, memorable winter together.
Things to love about this book:
Warm woolen sweaters
Everyone is fine with a baby unicorn being in the house
Everyday, non-magical activities that turn magical because of friendship
Stone cottages in the mountains way far away.
Illustrations that are not pastel and sparkly but, rather, wild but cozy and full of life.
One autumn, young Margaret moves with her mom and dad to a stone cottage out in the faraway mountains so they can be close to her aging grandmother. The day they move into the big, empty place with its weird smells, Margaret's mother puts a thermos of hot chocolate into Margaret's hands and sends her out to explore within the agreed-upon boundaries. Margaret's father promises her new bedroom will be just like her old bedroom by the time she returns.
While looking out to sea, Margaret sees a roiling mist that isn't mist, it's cloud, only it's not clouds, it's a herd of passing unicorns. After they're gone, Margaret finds a baby unicorn tangled in the weeds and she brings it home to winter with her in the old stone cottage.
Luckily, Margaret's grandmother knows all about unicorns and the entire family makes sure both Margaret and her new friend enjoy a cozy, memorable winter together.
Things to love about this book:
Warm woolen sweaters
Everyone is fine with a baby unicorn being in the house
Everyday, non-magical activities that turn magical because of friendship
Stone cottages in the mountains way far away.
Illustrations that are not pastel and sparkly but, rather, wild but cozy and full of life.
June 10, 2021
Ohhh, little Jenna would have loved this lovely, gentle story as much as grown Jenna. I shall have to purchase a hard copy.
December 21, 2022
3.5 from me. I also noticed the horse chestnuts in the text vs. the edible sweet chestnuts and tree leaves in the artwork. AND a car built for driving on the right-hand side of the street in the Scotland and the UK where they drive on the left (Bing on CBeebies is the same way - drives me round the bend). Scotch broom also flowers year-round in British Columbia, where it has naturalized as an invasive species, but this didn't bug me as much as the wrong species (conkers vs. edible chestnuts), especially since Horse Chestnuts are currently under siege by a species of Pseudomonas which causes deadly 'bleeding cankers', as well as by leaf-blotch fungus and a leaf-mining moth. Poor conkers.
Cute story otherwise, lovely illustrations (esp. if you have zero sense of botany!). A nice one for a child whose family is moving/relocating. ;)
Cute story otherwise, lovely illustrations (esp. if you have zero sense of botany!). A nice one for a child whose family is moving/relocating. ;)
January 17, 2023
MARGHERITA E L'UNICORNO di Briony May Smith. Una storia fantastica che sa trasportarci in un mondo fatto di scoperte, fantasia, emozioni. Da 4 anni ❤ Recensione a cura di Daniela Bucci. https://ilmondodichri.com/margherita-...
#margheritaelunicorno #editriceilcastoro
#margheritaelunicorno #editriceilcastoro
May 24, 2021
Absolutely beautifully illustrated - some of the best lighting (warm and inviting) and shadow I have seen in a children's book. The story is sweet and simple, well told and straightforward but the illustrations are to die for. Detail wise I appreciated that the protagonist, a little girl, plays with dinosaurs and learns about making and separating from friends through this narrative. GORGEOUS drawings, worth reading just to stare at.
May 6, 2022
utterly wholesome and adorable, indeed. the illustrations are incredibly subtle and pure. surely a charming read.
August 14, 2023
Lovely illustrations! So magical!
March 24, 2022
Решила потратить деньги на очень нужную в хозяйстве книгу
January 30, 2021
This book was so beautiful it made me cry. Tbh it doesn't require much nowadays to make me cry so I sobbed all through this.
August 7, 2021
This was such a sweet, sweet story. Margaret finds a baby unicorn that has been left behind after the rest of the herd has migrated. She brings it home, and everyone in the family has a hand in helping to raise it during the year the unicorn herd is gone--Grandmother, Mom, and Dad, besides Margaret. They find it the right kind of food (flowers from the florist) and the right kind of water (water touched by moonlight). And Margaret and the young unicorn go on many exploring adventures together. And I loved the ending! The mixed media illustrations fit the tone of the story perfectly. A lovely story for all ages.
July 22, 2024
- pre deti 4+
- téma sťahovania
- škótska príroda
- veľký formát
- ilustrácie cez celé strany
- jednorožce a šťastný koniec
Táto nádherne ilustrovaná kniha skrýva omnoho viac tém, ako sa na prvý pohľad zdá. Nie všetky sú zrovna ľahké a preto sa mi páčilo, ako bol príbeh deťom jednoducho a priamočiaro podaný.
V prvom rade sa tu stretávame s témou sťahovania. Grétka sa aj spolu s celou rodinou prestahovali na vidiek. Viete si predstaviť, ako náročná téma to pre dieťa je. Jedného dňa na prechádzke, Gretka vidí oblaky. Ale to nie sú oblaky, sú to jednorožce, ktoré s posledným letným vetrom odchádzajú.
V tom však Grétka v tráve zbadá niečo šedé. Malinký jednorožec, ktorý nestihol odísť s ostatnými. Medzi Grétkou a jednorožcom okamžite vzniká priateľstvo. Práve jednorožec pomáha Grétke prekonať smútok zo sťahovania a Grétka zas jednorožcovi smútok z odlúčenia od rodiny.
Láska k prírode a k zvieratám, odlúčenie od tých, ktorých milujeme a priateľstvo, sú ďalšími témami tejto knihy. Musím povedať, že sú deťom podané jemne a priamo, čo si na knihe veľmi cením. Kniha ma šťastný koniec, Grétka si na presťahovanie napokon zvykne a jednorožec sa o rok stretne so svojou rodinou.
Škótska príroda a krásne ilustrácie sú obrovským bonusom tejto nádhernej knihy, vďaka ktorým sa ku knihe budete vracať zas a znova.
- téma sťahovania
- škótska príroda
- veľký formát
- ilustrácie cez celé strany
- jednorožce a šťastný koniec
Táto nádherne ilustrovaná kniha skrýva omnoho viac tém, ako sa na prvý pohľad zdá. Nie všetky sú zrovna ľahké a preto sa mi páčilo, ako bol príbeh deťom jednoducho a priamočiaro podaný.
V prvom rade sa tu stretávame s témou sťahovania. Grétka sa aj spolu s celou rodinou prestahovali na vidiek. Viete si predstaviť, ako náročná téma to pre dieťa je. Jedného dňa na prechádzke, Gretka vidí oblaky. Ale to nie sú oblaky, sú to jednorožce, ktoré s posledným letným vetrom odchádzajú.
V tom však Grétka v tráve zbadá niečo šedé. Malinký jednorožec, ktorý nestihol odísť s ostatnými. Medzi Grétkou a jednorožcom okamžite vzniká priateľstvo. Práve jednorožec pomáha Grétke prekonať smútok zo sťahovania a Grétka zas jednorožcovi smútok z odlúčenia od rodiny.
Láska k prírode a k zvieratám, odlúčenie od tých, ktorých milujeme a priateľstvo, sú ďalšími témami tejto knihy. Musím povedať, že sú deťom podané jemne a priamo, čo si na knihe veľmi cením. Kniha ma šťastný koniec, Grétka si na presťahovanie napokon zvykne a jednorožec sa o rok stretne so svojou rodinou.
Škótska príroda a krásne ilustrácie sú obrovským bonusom tejto nádhernej knihy, vďaka ktorým sa ku knihe budete vracať zas a znova.
May 23, 2021
I LOVED the artwork in this. It's gorgeously illustrated, but I found the story poorly written and the end was a bit lack luster. At one point Margaret says something about picking a sprig of heather, holding out her palm, and letting the unicorn eat it off her hand. Now I know what the author was going for, but the way it was written sounded an awful lot like the unicorn ate Margaret's hand off.
I can tell what kind of message the author might have been going for. Probably something about life changing and the importance of making and letting go of friends. However, the message was muddied enough I'm not sure a kid would understand it. I also didn't appreciate the implications of losing the magic in your life as you grow up or make new friends. I found it disheartening. I think adults should hold on to some of that magical, child like wonder. As the author's “About” blurb said she still looks for unicorns, it also seems to contradict her own personal belief.
I bought this as a gift for my niece, but I was so disappointed by the story that I don't even think it's worth being gifted.
I can tell what kind of message the author might have been going for. Probably something about life changing and the importance of making and letting go of friends. However, the message was muddied enough I'm not sure a kid would understand it. I also didn't appreciate the implications of losing the magic in your life as you grow up or make new friends. I found it disheartening. I think adults should hold on to some of that magical, child like wonder. As the author's “About” blurb said she still looks for unicorns, it also seems to contradict her own personal belief.
I bought this as a gift for my niece, but I was so disappointed by the story that I don't even think it's worth being gifted.
February 8, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
It's hard to move to a new place. But when you need to be in the right place in order to rescue someone - something - that needs help, it takes the sting away from missing your old home. Margaret has just this opportunity as a baby unicorn drops into her world from his and gets to spend a season with her until the unicorn family returns in the spring.
The illustrations are sweet, depicting, I think somewhere in the UK? It feels Scottish, English or Welsh? Maybe Irish? They are lovely, and all listeners were wishing for their own season with a baby unicorn.
I have diehard uni-fans in my group, so this was a solid 4 star without even reading it yet.
It's hard to move to a new place. But when you need to be in the right place in order to rescue someone - something - that needs help, it takes the sting away from missing your old home. Margaret has just this opportunity as a baby unicorn drops into her world from his and gets to spend a season with her until the unicorn family returns in the spring.
The illustrations are sweet, depicting, I think somewhere in the UK? It feels Scottish, English or Welsh? Maybe Irish? They are lovely, and all listeners were wishing for their own season with a baby unicorn.
I have diehard uni-fans in my group, so this was a solid 4 star without even reading it yet.
August 31, 2021
That was really a beautiful book! So cosy, warm, dreamy... Just a wonderful experience! A small girl moves to the countryside with her parents in order to be close to her grandmother. She feels lonely but soon she finds a friend - a unicorn! They spent the winter together but then it's time for him to go. Does she miss him? Maybe but this is not highlighted which I found a bit strange. In this respect, nothing can beat my all-time favourite The Lion and the Bird <3 <3
October 8, 2023
Margaret moves to a new house in the mountains so that her family can be closer to Grandma. But as she's out exploring, she discovers a baby unicorn that has been left behind. Margaret takes it upon herself to care for the little creature, even though she knows saying goodbye will be hard.
This book is lovely and full of gentle illustrations. Having lost friends for a variety of reasons, I found this resonated with me a little more deeply than I would have hoped, but sometimes we need that.
This book is lovely and full of gentle illustrations. Having lost friends for a variety of reasons, I found this resonated with me a little more deeply than I would have hoped, but sometimes we need that.
February 21, 2024
Pekné ilustrácie, príbeh viac menej rovnaký ako Búrka a veľryba, ktorú máme tiež. Pre štvorročné dieťa mi to ale pripadá ako príliš málo textu, čítali sme ju s našou 2,5 ročnou a to mi pripadá tak akurát, aj viac by zvládla. Váhala som medzi 3 a 4 hviezdami ✨, no mám rada jednorožce a obrázky boli čarovné (škótska príroda + Margaret/Grétka má vždy iný sveter), takže 4.
January 15, 2025
This is absolutely lovely. I love that Margaret fosters the little unicorn while they wait for spring to return so the unicorn can rejoin his family. Super sweet, told like a proper story (like I remember from when I was little) and gorgeous illustrations.
August 7, 2021
This brought tears to my eyes- so beautiful! <3
October 12, 2021
Kui see raamat oleks mu lapsepõlve ükssarvikufaasis ilmunud, oleks see kindlasti sütitanud veelgi suuremaid unistusi. Või innustanud neidsamu, sest tõtt-öelda ma juba unistasin ükssarvikutest iga päev.
December 27, 2021
I am 44-years-old and this book rekindled that long-slumbering ember of believing in magic. The unicorn is so seamlessly blended into the story, it borders on magical realism.
January 11, 2023
Nii rahustav ja armas fantaasia lugu ühest võimatust sõprusest, mis sai võimalikuks. Illustratsioonid võitsid meie peres kõigi südamed.
April 12, 2023
Wunderschöne Illustrationen mit einer niedlichen Geschichte.
Es wird nicht klar, wo Margret lebt - ich stelle mir gerne vor, dass es in den Highlands in Schottland ist ♡
Es wird nicht klar, wo Margret lebt - ich stelle mir gerne vor, dass es in den Highlands in Schottland ist ♡
May 2, 2023
A very magical and whimsical story. Loved every page
December 25, 2024
Unicorn loving 4 year old really enjoyed the story.
January 5, 2025
This book was an absolute delight and beautifully illustrated. Definitely deserves 5*.
August 17, 2025
If I only could own one unicorn picture book this would be it. I love the story, and the childlike sweetness. I think it was the excellent balance of real life to whimsical magic. The illustrations were just right too. Well done!
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