Lita Judge is the award-winning author and illustrator of many children's books, including Flight School, Penguin Flies Home, Red Sled, Red Hat, Good Morning to Me!, Born in the Wild, Even the Smallest Will Grow, When You Need Wings, Beatrix and the Unicorn, and her illustrated young adult novel, Mary's Monster. She lives with her husband, two cats, and a parrot in New Hampshire. You can visit her online at LitaJudge.com.

"The atmospheric illustrations bring to life the medieval setting. The unicorn is portrayed in vibrant pastel shades, which contrast wonderfully with the muted, dark hues of the forest lit only by a bright lantern. A gentle tale of friendship and acceptance that will appeal to all readers."--School Library Journal

"Judge weaves magic and the ache of loneliness into a values-oriented picture book of generosity rewarded . . . the ending proffers a quieter comfort, suggesting that kindness given leads to kindness received."--Publishers Weekly

"Judge's tapestry recalls the Unicorn Tapestries in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art's castle-esque Cloisters, but with a welcome adaptation--her unicorn glows with freedom and joy. . . . A resonating reminder that showing kindness to others--especially animals--is the greatest magic of all."--Kirkus Reviews

"Vividly capturing a long-ago era, Judge's lush watercolor illustrations effectively contrast the dullness of Beatrix's daily life with the radiant light of the unicorn, offering readers a clear visual cue to her emotional transformation. . . . This gentle, reassuring tale of hope and self-discovery will resonate with young readers and serves as a thoughtful addition to picture-book collections."--Booklist

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2026-02-10

Length: 40 pages