Unicornia- Learning to Fly

Punset, Ana and Vicedo, Diana (illus.) Unicornia: Learning to Fly
December 3, 2024 by Candlewick Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

 
Claudia has just moved to Unicornia, a magical, hidden city that was created to save the unicorns from going extinct. Her parents, who will be running a shop that sells magical food, have failed to let her know that she will be starting immediately at the Unicornia Academy of Magic. This is a bit of a shock, and since school is not her favorite thing, she is a bit apprehensive, even though the air in town smells like the cotton candy that fuels the vehicles. Claudia doesn't do well in her potions class, and in gym, she is supposed to fly, even though everyone else was born in Unicornia and has been flying for much longer. If she doesn't pass the exams, she might have to move down a class. She makes friends with Pippa and Sara who try to reassure her that it's not that bad, and that she just needs some practice and support. They help her bond with her unicorn at school, Chai, by showing her how to groom him, and visit a unicorn shelter with her to help her as well. It takes some work, but Claudia is able to ride Chai and do the tricks required for the exam. She now feels more settled in her new home, and is ready for her next adventure in A Magical Birthday, out in January of 2025. This Spanish series has seven books altogether. 

Strengths: This is a super cute early chapter book that will be required reading for younger elementary school girls who can't get enough of all things unicorn. (Like the headband shown.) This book is about 125 pages long, but heavily illustrated, and the print is large. There are fun maps, lots of pictures of unicorns, and many details about all of the fun things in Unicornia, like a roller coaster in the amusement park made out of strawberry chewing gum. It's good that Claudie makes friends, and that Pippa and Sara are helpful to her. 
Weaknsesses: While I understand that there has to be some tension to create a plot, I wasn't thrilled with the idea that Claudia didn't really like school and talked about her "least favorite subject". I get that middle schoolers have to hate everything in order to be cool, but I hate to see it slip down to the younger students. I LOVED school, and would have taken riding a unicorn as a challenge, not as an onerous task. 
What I really think: Looking at this, I thought it was a graphic novel about a unicorn world that might work for some of my students, but it was a bit too young. It would be great fun for early elementary readers, but I'm just not the target demographic for this one, and I found it a bit twee. For a proper level of middle school snark AND unicorns, you'll have to pick up Simpson's Phoebe and Her Unicorn.