The secret lives of unicorns

Seraphini (pen name of Sangma Francis), a doctor and a "leading expert in unicornology," delivers an unequivocal guide to the evolution, magical characteristics, and physical and behavioral attributes of unicorns, "a hoofed herbivore of the Unicornuus family." Seraphini discusses the six living varieties of unicorn: the Northwood Unicorn, "the only species to migrate southward in winter"; the Volcanic Unicorn; the Northern European Moorland Unicorn; the Mountain Unicorn; the Desert Unicorn; and the Winged Unicorn ("We still don't know how they breathe at such high altitudes"). Robin illustrates in dramatic spreads that combine elements of fantasy with the aesthetics of a vintage picture encyclopedia. Seraphini's earnest tone will persuade nonbelievers, and maybe even move them to help dwindling unicorn populations (by picking up litter and growing native plants) and "create a new wild world, one which unicorns would be happy to return to." Ages 7-9. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.