Embrace Your Unicorniness with This New Picture Book

Cornelius J. Sparklesteed is known and loved throughout the town of Hoofington for his incredible handmade hats. Hoofington is a friendly place … unless you’re a unicorn. And Cornelius is hiding a secret, in a new book that isn’t explicitly queer-inclusive—but that offers an obvious analogy.

It’s Okay to Be a Unicorn, by Jason Tharp (Imprint/Macmillan) is a fun and frolicsome story about Cornelius’ journey to be himself. It starts when the mayor asks him to make him a special hat, “the most un-unicorny hat you can make,” for the town’s annual Hoofapalooza celebration. Cornelius agrees, even as he reflects on the town’s aversion to unicorns. The horses in Hoofington say mean things about them: “Their horns are too sharp!” “All they care about is magic!” “They fart rainbows!” We are told, however, that Cornelius, “always kept his BIG SECRET hidden under his hat”—a particularly tall hat. It’s the kind of obvious secret that kids in the picture-book age range will be delighted to have figured out.

The mayor likes his new hat and Cornelius’s creativity so much, he invites Cornelius to perform the final act at Hoofapalooza. We see Cornelius pondering his act as he goes through town, encountering his neighbors. At Tilly’s doughnut shop, which carries “Carrot Cream” and “Hay Filled” pastries, he suggests that Tilly add “Super-Sour Green Apple Grass,” “Wowie Straw-Strawberry,”  and “Chocolate Hay Fever.” He also has creative ideas for an artist and a musician friend.

He works on his costume, which includes a rainbow, glitter, and sparkles, but continues to ponder what the other horses say about unicorns. On the day of the event, he isn’t having fun. He then notices that his friends have all taken his suggestions—he’s a valued and helpful member of the community. This gives him the strength to give an amazing performance, at the end of which he reveals, “I’m a unicorn!”

Cue the cheers. Everyone loves him, and Cornelius “realized the things that made him different made him unique.” The mayor even declares a new holiday, “Unicorniness Day.”

The message in this humorous, endearing fable about being oneself could apply to people of many identities, interests, and personalities. The queer analogy is strong, though, what with all the rainbows and glitter, not to mention the unicorns—animals who are, by one assessment, the “queer icons of our time.” (I’m more of a plaid flannel kind of queer, personally, but couldn’t help but be swept up in Cornelius’ joyous celebration of himself.) Still, because the analogy isn’t explicit, I wonder if this book might be allowed in schools and libraries where there are objections to more clearly LGBTQ content. While we should always work to remove such censorship, sometimes folks need workarounds in the interim. It’s Okay to Be a Unicorn would also be a delightful and deliberate read for Pride (which bears some similarities to Hoofapalooza) or any time of the year to remind readers that “The key to happiness is accepting your unicorniness.”

Watch the book trailer below, and then go watch Tharp teach you how to draw Cornelius. Tharp also offers a free, fun Activity Kit (PDF) at his website, with ideas for hosting a kindness-themed Hoofapalooza Unicorn Day Storytime, along with coloring pages, a word search, and a Pin the Horn on the Unicorn game. It’s like an instant Drag Queen Storyhour—just add your favorite queen!

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