THE DRAGON AND THE UNICORN

Two magical creatures get each other out of a bind and learn to appreciate their differences in Froh’s picture book.

Flying, fire-breathing dragon Dan and galloping unicorn Fran, who has a magical horn, live in the Emerald Kingdom. Their homes are on opposite sides of the Marbled Mountain, so they’ve never met. The two are variously described as caring, kind, and smart; these attributes come in handy when they finally meet after being swept far from their homes by a “blustery blizzard.” They quickly learn how their individual talents are good for some situations but not for others. Fran can’t breathe fire, for instance, but Dan realizes that she has “fire in a whole different way,” and although Dan doesn’t have a magic horn, Fran sees how he’s “magical in a whole different way.” Froh effectively infuses the book with simple lessons regarding the importance of lending a hand, being yourself, and appreciating others’ attributes. Svobodová’s full-color, painterly illustrations capture the whimsical architecture and colorful landscapes of the Emerald Kingdom, while textured details of the creatures’ skin and fur, facial expressions, and animated body movements add to the visual excitement. A map featuring other locations in the Emerald Kingdom is included, leaving the door open for a series of other adventures.

A well-illustrated story about how anyone can accept help and learn something new.