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ForeWord Magazine - May/June Issue
Unicorn Races
Stephen J. Brooks
Linda Crockett, illustrator
Purple Sky Publishing
31 color illustrations
32 pages
Hardcover $16.95
978-0-9769017-3-0
“Abigail took a deep breath and then shouted as loud as she could: On your mark, get
ready, get set and go!” the author writes. After being magically transported in the night to a
clearing in the deep woods, Abigail, clad as a princess complete with crown and wand, joined
the fairies and elves to preside over the royal unicorn race. A glorious feast of cookies,
cakes, and sundaes would follow Abigail’s declaration of the winner. After the festivities, Lord
William, Abigail’s personal and noble unicorn, flew her safely out of the forest into the familiar
comfort of her very own bedroom: “Still wearing her crown and with a smile on her face,
Abigail dreamt of the next great unicorn race.”
Unicorn Races portrays a magical journey of enchantment and make-believe, filled with
princesses, unicorns, fairies, and elves.
Brooks, who was a federal agent for more than ten years, uses his talent to reassure and
protect children by transporting them to an imaginary world, allowing them to escape the
troubles they face in their daily lives. The author’s four previous books include Creatures of
the Night, which was included on the PBS Teacher Recommended List.
National and internationally acclaimed Crockett has illustrated many children’s books,
greeting cards, and magazines. Her accolades include a Distinguished Achievement Hall of
Fame Award, honoree at the Bologna Children’s Bookfair, and inclusion in the Society of
Illustrators Permanent Collection. Her colorful, soft brush strokes on the star-lit pages are
whimsical, enchanting, and dream-like.
Unicorn Races will appeal to children ages four to seven. They will delight in the excitement
surrounding the race, which is almost too close to call. (March)
Janie Tavener
Midwest Book Review - February 2007
Gloriously illustrated by award-winning artist Linda Crockett, Unicorn Races is a truly
beautiful picturebook about a young girl who oversees an exciting unicorn race amidst the
stars. The full color paintings perfectly catch the energy of the multicolored unicorns racing
through the sky, past the moon and the stars and a shining lighthouse. A delightful story
about experiencing the thrill of a fantasy universe, blending prose and artwork into an
unforgettable whole, Unicorn Races is a one-of-a-kind picturebook especially recommended
as a gift for young girls and fantasy lovers." James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Heartland Reviews - February 2007
This gorgeous picture book tells the tale of a young girl who, after going to bed each night,
flies away on a unicorn’s back to become a princess. Tonight she witnesses a race among
several beautiful and powerful unicorns before she must return to her home and bed.
The author is an ex-government agent whose career in dealing with the worst of terrorist
threats to our country prompted him to create alternative environments in the minds of
children where they are safe to experience wonder and joy with no worries of reality. The
illustrator uses the medium of water colors to create art gallery-level pictures, which act as
an imaginative springboard for young children. I found the book easily passed the test of
being read to my grand daughter and capturing her attention. The book is packaged in a
unique manner to hardbacks, since its covers have an almost upholstery feel to them—they’
re soft to the touch. We rated this wonderful book five hearts.
TCM Reviews - February 2007
The night is young and the unicorn race is about to begin. Six colored unicorns will be
racing around a course of space, sky, and ocean. Princess Abigail will present the winner
with a wreath of yellow roses. After the race, everyone attending can indulge in the dessert
feast prepared by the elves and fairies. Before daylight, Princess Abigail is transported back
home where she continues being Princess Abigail for a little longer.
This is the life many girls dream of. In young Abigail’s world, magic and make-believe are
real. Abigail has a princess dress, a pair of princess shoes, a princess wand, and a princess
crown to wear; fairies visit her bedroom at night; and a unicorn can be summoned with a call
out her window. For Abigail, a dazzling world is within her reach every night.
Magic encircles almost everything in Linda Crockett’s colorful watercolor illustrations. The
playful unicorns with multicolored horns, the fairies with butterfly patterned wings, and even
Abigail herself, are all surrounded by a white starlight that makes everything seem to hold
magic potential. Linda Crockett has illustrated over twelve children’s books, and her costume
designs have been displayed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her realistic illustrations in
this fantasy story make the book come alive with possibilities.
Stephen J. Brooks has a desire to write books that children can get lost in, and to create
worlds in which children can feel safe. He’s succeeded in this with Unicorn Races. An
unrestricted imagination, as demonstrated by Abigail in Unicorn Races, can take you
anywhere.
Kids Turn Central - March 2007
Six majestic colorful unicorns take part in a nightly race deep in a magical woods. Follow the
adventures of young Abigail as she embarks on a wonderful adventure into a world of
dreams and make believe; where unicorns race and elves and fairies prepare marvelous
feasts of sundaes, cakes and cookies.
This brilliantly illustrated story is sure to become your child’s favorite. Steve Brooks taps into
the active imagination of children in this delightful tale of a world where anything is possible.
A wonderful, magical story told with beautiful images will entrace any little girl.
Book Buds - March 2007
My 19-month-old daughter pulled out several "My Little Pony" sticker books recently, and I
had to stop myself from gagging. They're just stickers, I told myself. She doesn't know
anything about licensed characters and their dulling effect on the imagination. Stop. Fretting.
This book gave me a better alternative, plus we got to trade up from ponies to unicorns.
Whee! And what unicorns--in dazzling fairy colors; several shades of purple, pink and blue,
with a generous sprinkling of stardust. A press release stated the art took three years to
perfect.
The little girl in the story is named Abigail, and instead of going to sleep one night, she calls
to her unicorn friend, Lord William. It's off to the races! I appreciate seeing Abigail in charge,
starting the race and calling the winner, even hosting the celebrations (with cupcakes and
ice cream sundaes, of course) before drowsily heading back to bed.
This is the sort of innocent indulgence you like for your little girl. It introduces some of our
culture's favorite fantasy tropes in a way that might fuel a few daydreams:
Like a rainbow after a mid-summer's shower, the colorfeal beasts streatched across the
shadowy skyline.
Very nice. And the illustrations share that dreamlike quality, with faeries and elves
scampering underfoot and the little girl, Abigail, radiant in her princess gown.
But I found the author's story every bit as fascinating. Brooks served as a federal air marshal
for over a decade, flying on airplanes at high risk of terror attacks, which also took him to
some of the more unpleasant corners of the globe. He sent out an email to bloggers, writing
that he gave up his secure government job to write kids books:
I do write to provide worlds where children can escape the tribulations of this fast-paced and
extremely difficult world in which we exist. I want my daughter to be immersed in the magic of
her imagination, not the images of the nightly news. I want kids to read my books and smile
and laugh and to know anything is possible. I want to create worlds where parents are
heroes and protectors and children are empowered.
I sense he also needed some comforting, and created this safe, cheery world where a little
girl can act out her imaginings, and who can blame him.
I've watched groups of children giggle and laugh playing with a few sticks and a tire--
oblivious to their horrible living conditions--lost in some imaginary world. This is the world I
want to live in--I want to help create some of this magic and I want to allow it permeate my
own being--I figure it's something we could all use.
I'm in awe of anyone who can go through that kind of purgatory and emerge with such a
loving view of humanity.
I'd love to see Brooks expand his descriptive prowess by adding conflict to future plots and
giving his characters room to grow. Kids also find it reassuring to see problems solved and
hardships overcome. Even if he doesn't directly address the horrors he apparently
witnessed, he needs to give himself permission to write with more emotional depth.
Those are the stories I hope my daughter will be ready to read by the time Brooks is ready to
write them.
Kids Lit/Green Lake Library - February 2007
Unicorn Races arrived in my mailbox this weekend. I added it to the large pile of books
waiting to be reviewed. But my son had a different idea and asked me to read it to him
immediately. I know that the sparkling lettering and amazing unicorns had a lot to do with it.
The book is about a young girl, Abigail, who instead of going to sleep at night after being
tucked in, goes out into the night with a unicorn to the unicorn races. She dresses and acts
as a princess throughout the night, judging who has won the race, dining on sweets, and
flying on the back of her unicorn friend. The book is illustrated in deep purples and pinks
and filled with sparkling unicorns, fairies and elves. One of the big appeals of this book is
that there is no scariness to the night that Abigail goes out into. There is only magic, wonder
and a feeling of safety.
This book is not one that will win any awards on literary merit, new subject matter, or
breaking boundaries. However, it is filled with child appeal. From the sparkling title to the
very colors and language used, Brooks knows his audience. This book will fly off of library
shelves into the hands of girls who dream of being princesses and befriending unicorns.
Recommend it to any small girl entering the library with a My Pretty Pony and they won't be
disappointed.
Unicorn Races
Stephen J. Brooks
Linda Crockett, illustrator
Purple Sky Publishing
31 color illustrations
32 pages
Hardcover $16.95
978-0-9769017-3-0
“Abigail took a deep breath and then shouted as loud as she could: On your mark, get
ready, get set and go!” the author writes. After being magically transported in the night to a
clearing in the deep woods, Abigail, clad as a princess complete with crown and wand, joined
the fairies and elves to preside over the royal unicorn race. A glorious feast of cookies,
cakes, and sundaes would follow Abigail’s declaration of the winner. After the festivities, Lord
William, Abigail’s personal and noble unicorn, flew her safely out of the forest into the familiar
comfort of her very own bedroom: “Still wearing her crown and with a smile on her face,
Abigail dreamt of the next great unicorn race.”
Unicorn Races portrays a magical journey of enchantment and make-believe, filled with
princesses, unicorns, fairies, and elves.
Brooks, who was a federal agent for more than ten years, uses his talent to reassure and
protect children by transporting them to an imaginary world, allowing them to escape the
troubles they face in their daily lives. The author’s four previous books include Creatures of
the Night, which was included on the PBS Teacher Recommended List.
National and internationally acclaimed Crockett has illustrated many children’s books,
greeting cards, and magazines. Her accolades include a Distinguished Achievement Hall of
Fame Award, honoree at the Bologna Children’s Bookfair, and inclusion in the Society of
Illustrators Permanent Collection. Her colorful, soft brush strokes on the star-lit pages are
whimsical, enchanting, and dream-like.
Unicorn Races will appeal to children ages four to seven. They will delight in the excitement
surrounding the race, which is almost too close to call. (March)
Janie Tavener
Midwest Book Review - February 2007
Gloriously illustrated by award-winning artist Linda Crockett, Unicorn Races is a truly
beautiful picturebook about a young girl who oversees an exciting unicorn race amidst the
stars. The full color paintings perfectly catch the energy of the multicolored unicorns racing
through the sky, past the moon and the stars and a shining lighthouse. A delightful story
about experiencing the thrill of a fantasy universe, blending prose and artwork into an
unforgettable whole, Unicorn Races is a one-of-a-kind picturebook especially recommended
as a gift for young girls and fantasy lovers." James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Heartland Reviews - February 2007
This gorgeous picture book tells the tale of a young girl who, after going to bed each night,
flies away on a unicorn’s back to become a princess. Tonight she witnesses a race among
several beautiful and powerful unicorns before she must return to her home and bed.
The author is an ex-government agent whose career in dealing with the worst of terrorist
threats to our country prompted him to create alternative environments in the minds of
children where they are safe to experience wonder and joy with no worries of reality. The
illustrator uses the medium of water colors to create art gallery-level pictures, which act as
an imaginative springboard for young children. I found the book easily passed the test of
being read to my grand daughter and capturing her attention. The book is packaged in a
unique manner to hardbacks, since its covers have an almost upholstery feel to them—they’
re soft to the touch. We rated this wonderful book five hearts.
TCM Reviews - February 2007
The night is young and the unicorn race is about to begin. Six colored unicorns will be
racing around a course of space, sky, and ocean. Princess Abigail will present the winner
with a wreath of yellow roses. After the race, everyone attending can indulge in the dessert
feast prepared by the elves and fairies. Before daylight, Princess Abigail is transported back
home where she continues being Princess Abigail for a little longer.
This is the life many girls dream of. In young Abigail’s world, magic and make-believe are
real. Abigail has a princess dress, a pair of princess shoes, a princess wand, and a princess
crown to wear; fairies visit her bedroom at night; and a unicorn can be summoned with a call
out her window. For Abigail, a dazzling world is within her reach every night.
Magic encircles almost everything in Linda Crockett’s colorful watercolor illustrations. The
playful unicorns with multicolored horns, the fairies with butterfly patterned wings, and even
Abigail herself, are all surrounded by a white starlight that makes everything seem to hold
magic potential. Linda Crockett has illustrated over twelve children’s books, and her costume
designs have been displayed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her realistic illustrations in
this fantasy story make the book come alive with possibilities.
Stephen J. Brooks has a desire to write books that children can get lost in, and to create
worlds in which children can feel safe. He’s succeeded in this with Unicorn Races. An
unrestricted imagination, as demonstrated by Abigail in Unicorn Races, can take you
anywhere.
Kids Turn Central - March 2007
Six majestic colorful unicorns take part in a nightly race deep in a magical woods. Follow the
adventures of young Abigail as she embarks on a wonderful adventure into a world of
dreams and make believe; where unicorns race and elves and fairies prepare marvelous
feasts of sundaes, cakes and cookies.
This brilliantly illustrated story is sure to become your child’s favorite. Steve Brooks taps into
the active imagination of children in this delightful tale of a world where anything is possible.
A wonderful, magical story told with beautiful images will entrace any little girl.
Book Buds - March 2007
My 19-month-old daughter pulled out several "My Little Pony" sticker books recently, and I
had to stop myself from gagging. They're just stickers, I told myself. She doesn't know
anything about licensed characters and their dulling effect on the imagination. Stop. Fretting.
This book gave me a better alternative, plus we got to trade up from ponies to unicorns.
Whee! And what unicorns--in dazzling fairy colors; several shades of purple, pink and blue,
with a generous sprinkling of stardust. A press release stated the art took three years to
perfect.
The little girl in the story is named Abigail, and instead of going to sleep one night, she calls
to her unicorn friend, Lord William. It's off to the races! I appreciate seeing Abigail in charge,
starting the race and calling the winner, even hosting the celebrations (with cupcakes and
ice cream sundaes, of course) before drowsily heading back to bed.
This is the sort of innocent indulgence you like for your little girl. It introduces some of our
culture's favorite fantasy tropes in a way that might fuel a few daydreams:
Like a rainbow after a mid-summer's shower, the colorfeal beasts streatched across the
shadowy skyline.
Very nice. And the illustrations share that dreamlike quality, with faeries and elves
scampering underfoot and the little girl, Abigail, radiant in her princess gown.
But I found the author's story every bit as fascinating. Brooks served as a federal air marshal
for over a decade, flying on airplanes at high risk of terror attacks, which also took him to
some of the more unpleasant corners of the globe. He sent out an email to bloggers, writing
that he gave up his secure government job to write kids books:
I do write to provide worlds where children can escape the tribulations of this fast-paced and
extremely difficult world in which we exist. I want my daughter to be immersed in the magic of
her imagination, not the images of the nightly news. I want kids to read my books and smile
and laugh and to know anything is possible. I want to create worlds where parents are
heroes and protectors and children are empowered.
I sense he also needed some comforting, and created this safe, cheery world where a little
girl can act out her imaginings, and who can blame him.
I've watched groups of children giggle and laugh playing with a few sticks and a tire--
oblivious to their horrible living conditions--lost in some imaginary world. This is the world I
want to live in--I want to help create some of this magic and I want to allow it permeate my
own being--I figure it's something we could all use.
I'm in awe of anyone who can go through that kind of purgatory and emerge with such a
loving view of humanity.
I'd love to see Brooks expand his descriptive prowess by adding conflict to future plots and
giving his characters room to grow. Kids also find it reassuring to see problems solved and
hardships overcome. Even if he doesn't directly address the horrors he apparently
witnessed, he needs to give himself permission to write with more emotional depth.
Those are the stories I hope my daughter will be ready to read by the time Brooks is ready to
write them.
Kids Lit/Green Lake Library - February 2007
Unicorn Races arrived in my mailbox this weekend. I added it to the large pile of books
waiting to be reviewed. But my son had a different idea and asked me to read it to him
immediately. I know that the sparkling lettering and amazing unicorns had a lot to do with it.
The book is about a young girl, Abigail, who instead of going to sleep at night after being
tucked in, goes out into the night with a unicorn to the unicorn races. She dresses and acts
as a princess throughout the night, judging who has won the race, dining on sweets, and
flying on the back of her unicorn friend. The book is illustrated in deep purples and pinks
and filled with sparkling unicorns, fairies and elves. One of the big appeals of this book is
that there is no scariness to the night that Abigail goes out into. There is only magic, wonder
and a feeling of safety.
This book is not one that will win any awards on literary merit, new subject matter, or
breaking boundaries. However, it is filled with child appeal. From the sparkling title to the
very colors and language used, Brooks knows his audience. This book will fly off of library
shelves into the hands of girls who dream of being princesses and befriending unicorns.
Recommend it to any small girl entering the library with a My Pretty Pony and they won't be
disappointed.
