Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 13, 2018

Review

Lovers of glitter, unicorns, stubborn invisible sheep and other magical phenomenon will enjoy this series about Pip Bartlett and her amazing gift of understanding what magical animals say. In this second book in the series, Pip and her friend Tomas are getting the privilege of attending the Triple Trident, a county fair for magical creatures, and assisting with a Rockshine. The Rockshine are part of the Glimmerbeast family and they are sheep that turn invisible when afraid or in unfamiliar places. The good news for Tomas is that their "hair" is hypoallergenic. Before the kids even get to start their duties, they have to help calm down Regent Maximus, the not-so-typical unicorn from book one. He is afraid of most everything and Pip seems to be the only one to help solve his various dilemmas. The busy day at the Triple Trident also includes a mystery to be solved. Pearce and Stiefvater provide a delightful compilation of various magical animals described by Pip and illustrated by Stiefvater in full page encyclopedia-style. Most suitable for fantasy lovers in grades 3-5.

Overall Book Score: good