Unicorns prepare to take over earth in the picture book Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrzycki (Charlesbridge, 2021). The story follows the daily journal-like report from one particular unicorn, who is conveniently similar to a stuffed animal, as it reports back to its home planet about what earth life is like. The unicorn complains about the unusual new experiences, from the slobbery dog to having to sleep outside to show and tell at school. There is plenty of humor in these pages, and maybe (just maybe) the unicorn might find that it likes earth after all.
The funny story is wonderfully enhanced by the author-illustrator’s use of his watercolor, pencil, and digital art. In the beginning parts of the unicorn’s journey on earth, the illustrations are only black and white, with the rare bits of colorful magic emanating from the unicorn. As the unicorn becomes more accustomed to earth life, all the things that the unicorn likes starts to appear in color. (I love that the turning point in the text is peanut butter cookies!) Now the magic surrounds the unicorn, the human kids, and the rest of the story. The illustrations are less reliant on the line art and become more colorful and lighter in tone.
I feel like this shift from discomfort to comfort was cleverly done in the text and in the illustrations. I loved the tone of our unicorn narrator, and the end was perfectly satisfying. My daughter loves unicorns, so this is book that we certainly have read more than once. I highly recommend Invasion of the Unicorns.
