Unice was born into a family of rhinoceroses but feels like a unicorn inside and, with the help of a new friend, embraces that identity in Esmail’s picture book.

Everyone around Unice tells them that she’s a rhino, but when alone, Unice sees a beautiful unicorn reflected in the mirror. That sense of identity brings joy until the rest of the family condemns it: “Unice, we all agree. You look like a rhino. You are a rhino.” The thought of not being a unicorn makes Unice miserable, but then she meets Snyder, who she initially thinks is a tiger but who identifies as a snow leopard. Following Snyder’s example, Unice once again embraces her unicorn-horned self. Esmail and illustrator Cooke craft a beautiful story. The writing is simple and should be easy for independent readers to follow, and plenty of white space leaves room for text and vibrant rainbow spatters that play across the full-color painterly illustrations whenever Unice or Snyder assert their inner identities. These bursts of color effectively contrast with the grayness of Unice’s family and their inculcating, off-page calls of “That’s what rhinos do”; also notable is the murky, watercolor smudge that accompanies Unice when she briefly despairs. The effect is striking, and the message, while unabashedly overt, is one that will stay with children.

A playful allegory of self-expression and acceptance.

Not all kids love hugs, and one little girl learns that it’s OK to speak up about it in Esmail’s debut picture book with watercolor images by Cooke.

Raina doesn’t like celebrating birthdays, and instead of getting excited when her mother mentions gifts she might get, “her stomach is in knots.” Specifically, Raina isn’t comfortable with her family members’ hugs and kisses on such occasions. Old Pa gives her a close hug and his bristly beard pokes her face, and a large uncle’s squeeze makes her feel embarrassed. Auntie’s touch makes Raina think of tentacles, and a cousin with a runny nose is told to give Raina a kiss. It’s all too much, and she yells that she hates her “unhappy birthdays.” Alone in her room, she speaks to her stuffed rabbit, who encourages her to tell the truth because her own feelings matter. She finds more comfortable ways to express love to her relatives, and this may inspire similarly sensitive readers to ask others to meet them on their own terms. Esmail offers a protagonist with whom cautious youngsters will identify, and the soft pastels of the watercolors create a comforting tone. Cooke also deftly creates unpleasant images from Raina’s imagination that readers won’t find threatening.

An excellent book for sensitive young readers.