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Bob is a Unicorn

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Bob is not a unicorn. His friend George knows that. So does Stella. And Ted, and Larry. In fact, it's definite: Bob is not a unicorn. Or is he?

Bob is a Unicorn, by beloved author Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, celebrates both the power of imagination and the importance of always - no matter what anyone else says - believing in yourself.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Michelle Nelson-Schmidt

36 books145 followers
I write and illustrate books for children. I love to laugh, I love to have fun. I do not have time for mean people. Life is too short to not do what you love for a living. Or deal with mean people.

I like smiling. It's my favorite.

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
--Christopher Robin to Pooh”

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5 stars
74 (39%)
4 stars
62 (33%)
3 stars
36 (19%)
2 stars
7 (3%)
1 star
8 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,341 reviews72 followers
Read
December 26, 2017
#readtothenibling I wasn't sure what I thought of this book at the beginning -- though the brief conversations with different animal friends offer an opportunity to do lots of different voices -- but the ending is ADORABLE! And the book jacket has an Easter egg if you take it off :)
Profile Image for Bob Platypire.
240 reviews7 followers
February 17, 2017
I'm just not really sure how to review this book. It didn't seem to me to have much of an actual story, but the illustrations were cute, and the last couple of pages were ADORABLE. If that were all there is to it, I'd give a two. But it's not! It's a children's book, and so that needs to come into account.

If you do the voices for each character and have the plush to speak when Bob does (no, His name isn't why I bought it! Okay, partially.), your kid will still go WILD for it, my little girl absolutely loves it, and has me read it at least once a day, hence the bumping up of the rating

Bob says: 3 Platypires, and Pugglepire Approved
Profile Image for Lindsey Bangert.
21 reviews2 followers
May 7, 2014
An amusing book about an animal who wants to be a unicorn. Somewhat reminiscent of Klassen's This Is Not My Hat, with its layout of one page illustrating the animal Bob is talking to with the opposite page containing their simple dialog. The large, clear illustrations and few words could lend itself well to reading aloud.
Profile Image for Jodie.
1,215 reviews
November 15, 2013
A story with dialog (could be used as readers theater) that is about the creativity of our imaginations and how others sometimes don't see it.
Profile Image for Natasha.
4 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2014
What a great book. I love that it is written in a dialogue format so that my daughter and I can read it together, back and forth. Makes it a lot of fun. Surprise ending and we both just loved it.
Profile Image for Katie O’Reilly.
681 reviews13 followers
Read
July 25, 2019
I do not actually think this is a very good book for transgender awareness, which is how it was advertised to me.
Profile Image for Shelley.
465 reviews19 followers
December 28, 2018
This was a really cute story and the illustrations were adorable. Michelle Nelson-Schmidt does it again and writes another story with the theme of being a little different, and having a big imagination and being proud of it.

My only reservation about this story is that because we never see the main character I got confused about who was actually talking at the beginning of the story. I thought Bob was the Moose at first! Once we got to the second and third pages though of course I realized that Bob is talking to the other animals.

While I wasn't sure if I liked this story as much as her other books, I do have to give credit to the author in that the illustrations are simple and cute, and the dialogue sounds just like how a child with a big imagination would talk. I also really like that the author captured the attitude and character of a child.

Very cute and sweet with a positive message.
Profile Image for Eve.
195 reviews
July 20, 2021
I don't even know where to begin to describe this wonderful book! Imagination runs wild for a certain Bob and his friends have no clue what to do with him. But he finds someone towards the end who recognizes him for who he truly is and they 'ride off into the playroom? to play'.

As a teacher of younger students, I appreciate how the text on each page is color coded to indicate which character is speaking. It's helpful to pre-readers to have that visual clue. The illustrations are super simple but you can tell what each animal is thinking as they interact with Bob on each page just from their facial expressions.

It's really worth the quick read. And if you're kids are like mine, you'll read it a lot.
Profile Image for Mort's Kids.
400 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2020
This was described to me as a book that captures the trans experience, and I don't think that's quite right, though you could certainly read it that way I suppose.

At minimum, it's about finding your people and marching to your own drum, no matter what the haters think, and that's a message we can all get behind.

The art is a little strange but it grows on you. The deadpan dialogue from the non-Bob characters is what really makes this book shine.
Author 1 book1 follower
July 23, 2020
Bob is a Unicorn, no really he is! This story shares a beautiful message of acceptance. The best way to hear this story is during Michelle’s StoryTime lives where you can hear her do all the voices and explain the illustrations, for example the rabbit. This book inspired our son to put a finished cotton candy cone on his head and say, “Look mom, I’m a unicorn, like Bob.”
Profile Image for Breanne.
487 reviews
June 12, 2021
This book is cute and underlining thread of imagination was nice.
But my two-year-old just didn’t get it. I had to add extra words and explanations as I read. At the end I had to tell him that Bob is using his imagination and my son didn’t 100% get it; we talked about it and then he thought it was fun.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
12.6k reviews479 followers
October 30, 2023
Ok, now this one works for me. We each get to define ourselves, tyvm. Use your imagination, or use your understanding of who you are inside, either way, you be you. Don't miss the last pages of this!

An archived copy is available on openlibrary.org.
Profile Image for Wendy.
55 reviews
July 27, 2018
Invaluable is the friend who “gets you” and takes the time to be amused when your other friends are too busy. That is the message of this book.
Profile Image for Beth.
250 reviews6 followers
July 21, 2021
This is me at the office, every day.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
294 reviews
July 12, 2023
Love this book about using your imagination even when others don't!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nicole.
11 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2014
This book is recommended for children ages 3-7 years old. Bob truly believes he is a unicorn, but all of his friends say he isn't, until he meets a beautiful fairy. The fairy sees that he is the most exquisite unicorn in all the world, but why do his friends say is isn't?

An activity for this is bringing in some props and have students use the props to pretend they are something they are not. Have the students guess what they are supposed to be and have them explain what they are supposed to be when the others are finished guessing. They can compare their ideas to Bob and the fairy.

Schmidt, M. (2013). Bob is a Unicorn. Tulsa, OK: EDC Publishing.

Profile Image for Amber Swinford.
61 reviews9 followers
January 6, 2015
This is one of my absolute favorite children's books. I love the art, the perspective, and the message!

You don't actually see the main character (Bob) of the book until the end. All you see are his friends, none of whom see him as he sees himself. There is a wonderful message about self-perception, being yourself, using your imagination, and freeing oneself from stagnant concepts of reality.

I think I might love this book even more than my kids do, which is quite a feat!
Profile Image for Christine Gossard.
3 reviews
January 26, 2014
I love unicorns and I love this book! I found it at the school book fair, and I bought it for my daughter. She loves it! It is simple, yet cute, and the story keeps going. You definitely are left wanting more, in a good way. Great for children of any ages, boy or girl.
Profile Image for Lounovember9.
3 reviews
March 5, 2014
This is one of my favorite children's books. It's a simple story, with gorgeous illustrations, and it ALWAYS brings a little happy tear to my eye. It's about the power of imaginations and making time to play!
Profile Image for Jill.
280 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2014
Loved this picture book! It was funny and whimsical.
Profile Image for M.J. Lau.
Author 5 books15 followers
April 15, 2017
Pure fun-- a cute story with a clever ending. A pleasure to read over and over!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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