The First Unicorn

Aden, a young horse, possesses an inherent tendency for generosity, dedicating his days to acts of kindness and service to others. In a herd more preoccupied with self-interest, Aden stands out as an exception, extending aid, gathering flowers, and uplifting his mother's spirits. The narrative unfolds intriguingly as a mysterious messenger bestows upon Aden a gift that illuminates his role as a selfless and caring individual. Yet, the crucial question arises: how will Aden's newfound gift be received by his peers? As the storyline progresses, Aden must muster his internal fortitude to uphold his convictions, navigating the challenges that lie ahead. Kathleen J. Shields' The First Unicorn is an exploration of individuality and self-discovery. Aden, a protagonist distinguishable by his dissimilarity, grapples with the ostracism that readers of all ages can instantly relate to. In this journey, however, Aden emerges as an emblem of tenacity, exemplifying the mantra of 'being the change' and illuminating his surroundings with benevolence, regardless of societal perceptions. The narrative's poignancy is further accentuated by the splendid visual elements crafted by the adept hand of illustrator Aashay Utkarsh. The vibrant hues employed in the illustrations blend harmoniously with the narrative's optimistic undertones, amplifying the portrayal of authenticity and self-acceptance. The First Unicorn champions the concept of self-discovery amid misunderstanding—a parable of courage and persistence. The story is interwoven with valor, optimism, and authenticity themes. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of faith, the miraculous, and the embrace of one's unique identity, culminating in an inspirational account that resonates across generations.

The First Unicorn by Kathleen J. Shields is a delightful faith-filled tale of how the first unicorn came to be. Long ago, in a faraway land, a herd of horses lived out their lives in a mundane cycle of eating and sleeping. While most of the horses in the herd go about their dreary lives just eating, a young colt named Aden fills his time giving to others, having fun, and doing good deeds. He rescues the weak and comforts the lonely. His actions and care for others eventually result in a gift from God – a beautiful golden horn! But that’s when Aden’s troubles really start. Will Aden find a way to help others when his new appearance frightens even those who know him well? The First Unicorn by Kathleen J. Shields is a heartwarming story of the first unicorn. Each page is beautifully illustrated by Aashay Utkarsh and complements the poignant poem contained in this early reader treasure. Short footnotes define difficult or unfamiliar words, and the reading level of this book ensures that elementary-age children will enjoy reading it to themselves. It’s liberally laced with faith and encouragement to children to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. The pacing is perfect, and the plot is engaging. Aden is a delightful character, and who doesn’t like stories about horses and unicorns? At 50 pages, it is a swift read with an engaging storyline and an eternal message. Perfect for young Christian readers and fans of fantasy, unicorns, and faith!

The story is about the importance of showing unconditional love, empathy, and kindness to others, and how these virtues can contribute towards making the world a better place for everyone. I read this to my students and was able to engage them in some meaningful discussion. I would recommend the book to other teachers and parents.

I read this book aloud to my youngest granddaughter, and she loved it. The illustrations are colorful and eye-catching, and the story is one of faith, of kindness, and love. It's a message the world can use, but especially our children. When a young horse, Aden, is rejected from his herd for his kind heart and loving gestures, he embarks on an adventure that brings him great joy and a beautiful gift. While this is a children's book, it's an excellent read for all ages! I highly recommend it.

A heartwarming children's book that teaches valuable lessons about love, kindness, and the power of miracles. Aden, a young horse, receives a golden horn from an angel, but when the herd misunderstands its purpose, he faces rejection and loneliness. Undeterred, Aden continues to spread hope and help others, discovering the miraculous abilities of his horn along the way. This enchanting tale beautifully illustrates the importance of accepting and embracing our unique gifts, as well as the impact of selflessness and compassion on those around us.

A delightful children's book that left me teary-eyed and inspired. Aden, the adorable young horse, is the epitome of kindness and love, and his story touched my heart. When he receives a mysterious golden horn from an angel, I couldn't wait to see what would unfold. The way Aden faces rejection but never loses hope is a lesson we can all learn from. It's a tale that encourages us to embrace our uniqueness and always strive to help others, no matter the challenges we face.

"I probably should have read the blurb more carefully, but this book was not quite what I had expected. I anticipated a fairytale-type story - Angels included - about how the first Unicorn came into being. But it turned out to be a Bible-inspired take. Be that as it may, I am sure this book will appeal to Christian parents and their children. For me, it was slightly repetitive in its messaging, and Aden came across as a bit of a goody two-shoes. But its fundamental messages about kindness and helping others is a very valuable one. And the illustrations are really cute. So if the biblical aspect also appeals, you should go ahead and get this book."

This is a children's book that overlays the love, kindness and generosity of Biblical themes with Shield's messages in The First Unicorn. At first we are introduced to a normal herd of horses, beautiful as individuals but only in that. One particular yearling is more loving and giving than the others, and those attributes cross species as well. After some time, God takes note of that and sends an angel down to tell him He is gifting the yearling with gold that can't be seen, but to tell the yearling that his love, helpfulness and kindness hasn't gone without God's notice. From that day on he has a golden unicorn atop his head. The herd of horses thinks him strange, and kicks him out. As he races away with his feelings hurt, because, after all his mother was a member of the herd as well, the unicorn catches on it tree limbs. Weary and thirsty, he sits beside a lake, and for the first time, sees his beautiful reflection in the water. He spends most of the rest of the book helping different species get out of bad situations. Finally, toward the end, when his mother is gravely wounded by a wolf, the herd comes to tell him to come tell her his final goodbyes, and that's where God grants him a miracle and saves her life. Some of the horses listen to him espouse God message after that, and some do not, just as it is in the Bible. I would recommend the book to all young people, God "fearing" or not. It has some wonderful kindness, love and generosity values to guide young people beyond the bullying phases of childhood.