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The Unicorn Handbook: A Spellbinding Collection of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects
From Carolyn Turgeon, editor in chief of Enchanted Living and author of The Faerie Handbook and The Mermaid Handbook, comes this exquisitely illustrated and beautifully designed lifestyle compendium, a complete guide to the world of unicorns covering fashion and beauty; arts and culture; and home, food, and entertaining with step-by-step crafts and recipes.
Strong, regal, and dazzling, there is no more romantic a creature in both folklore and pop culture than the majestic unicorn. Known for its preference for solitary living in the depths of enchanted and perfumed forests, the unicorn will only occasionally reveal itself to virginal ladies and/or save the day with its magical horn, which is said to neutralize poison when dipped into food or drink.
In medieval times, unicorns were a symbol of chivalry and aristocracy, so it’s no surprise that they became the ideal companion for gallant knights, and eventually, the symbol of Jesus in many illuminated bestiaries. They also came to represent unknown danger in the ancient city of Persepolis in 515 BCE, a belief immortalized on the British coat of arms with the unicorn shown as the mighty lion’s fiercest opponent. This feud also appears in a traditional English nursery that was the origin of the quarrel between The Lion and the Unicorn in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass.
It wasn’t long before a piece of the unicorn’s mane, blood, and horn became hot commodity in man’s pursuit for immortality. Today, unicorns can be found in modern tales like Harry Potter, television shows like My Little Pony, colorful Lisa Frank-inspired fashion and makeup trends, and must-have food crazes like the Unicorn Frappuccino and bagels.
Divided into four sections: flora and fauna; fashion and beauty; arts and culture; home, food, and entertaining—The Unicorn Handbook is the ultimate compilation and guidebook filled with step-by-step projects and recipes throughout. Learn how to make your very own unicorn tail loop braid or unicorn dust for that extra sparkle in your life. There are recipes to make a plum cake straight from the world of Alice in Wonderland and tips on how to throw the most unique garden party ever (complete with instructions on how to make unicorn horn table favors and utensils). And there’s also an exclusive interview with Peter S. Beagle, the author of the classic tale The Last Unicorn.
Strong, regal, and dazzling, there is no more romantic a creature in both folklore and pop culture than the majestic unicorn. Known for its preference for solitary living in the depths of enchanted and perfumed forests, the unicorn will only occasionally reveal itself to virginal ladies and/or save the day with its magical horn, which is said to neutralize poison when dipped into food or drink.
In medieval times, unicorns were a symbol of chivalry and aristocracy, so it’s no surprise that they became the ideal companion for gallant knights, and eventually, the symbol of Jesus in many illuminated bestiaries. They also came to represent unknown danger in the ancient city of Persepolis in 515 BCE, a belief immortalized on the British coat of arms with the unicorn shown as the mighty lion’s fiercest opponent. This feud also appears in a traditional English nursery that was the origin of the quarrel between The Lion and the Unicorn in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass.
It wasn’t long before a piece of the unicorn’s mane, blood, and horn became hot commodity in man’s pursuit for immortality. Today, unicorns can be found in modern tales like Harry Potter, television shows like My Little Pony, colorful Lisa Frank-inspired fashion and makeup trends, and must-have food crazes like the Unicorn Frappuccino and bagels.
Divided into four sections: flora and fauna; fashion and beauty; arts and culture; home, food, and entertaining—The Unicorn Handbook is the ultimate compilation and guidebook filled with step-by-step projects and recipes throughout. Learn how to make your very own unicorn tail loop braid or unicorn dust for that extra sparkle in your life. There are recipes to make a plum cake straight from the world of Alice in Wonderland and tips on how to throw the most unique garden party ever (complete with instructions on how to make unicorn horn table favors and utensils). And there’s also an exclusive interview with Peter S. Beagle, the author of the classic tale The Last Unicorn.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published June 9, 2020
15 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Turgeon
57 books633 followersCarolyn Turgeon is the author of five novels—Rain Village, Godmother, Mermaid, The Fairest of Them All, and The Next Full Moon, most of them based on old-time fairy tales, dark and glimmering—as well as The Faerie Handbook, The Mermaid Handbook, and The Unicorn Handbook.
She's also the editor-in-chief and co-owner of Enchanted Living (formerly Faerie Magazine), a quarterly print publication that the NY Times called “what would happen if Spenser’s The Faerie Queene and Martha Stewart Living had a magazine baby.”
She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her punk rock rescue dog Iggy.
Visit Carolyn's website at carolynturgeon.com and Enchanted Living at enchantedlivingmag.com.
She's also the editor-in-chief and co-owner of Enchanted Living (formerly Faerie Magazine), a quarterly print publication that the NY Times called “what would happen if Spenser’s The Faerie Queene and Martha Stewart Living had a magazine baby.”
She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her punk rock rescue dog Iggy.
Visit Carolyn's website at carolynturgeon.com and Enchanted Living at enchantedlivingmag.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 14, 2025
Perfect for all, whether you’re the dedicated fan or just a little “horny”…
The Unicorn Handbook: A Spellbinding Collection of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects by Carolyn Turgeon is a mammoth anthology of the mono-horned horse many folks know (and most love).
While a heavy focus is on the European standard of unicorn, I wa pleasantly surprised to see a sizable account on the unicorns around the world (specifically the beloved dragon-unicorns of Asia).
The book is peppered with various stories, histories, recipes, and beliefs surrounding unicorns. A sizable amount is dedicated to the pop culture it’s inspired from books to movies to cartoons to toys…
Meanwhile, there’s a wonderful amount of art, pictures, and other material to enjoy capturing about depictions of unicorns throughout history…
It’s a really good collection that hits just about every “point” you might want to make or learn about…
Should you ignore this book? NEIGH!!!
The Unicorn Handbook: A Spellbinding Collection of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects by Carolyn Turgeon is a mammoth anthology of the mono-horned horse many folks know (and most love).
While a heavy focus is on the European standard of unicorn, I wa pleasantly surprised to see a sizable account on the unicorns around the world (specifically the beloved dragon-unicorns of Asia).
The book is peppered with various stories, histories, recipes, and beliefs surrounding unicorns. A sizable amount is dedicated to the pop culture it’s inspired from books to movies to cartoons to toys…
Meanwhile, there’s a wonderful amount of art, pictures, and other material to enjoy capturing about depictions of unicorns throughout history…
It’s a really good collection that hits just about every “point” you might want to make or learn about…
Should you ignore this book? NEIGH!!!
February 25, 2021
This book is either aimed at children,or to parents of same. And her facts are wrong: the unicorn has always represented purity and virginity, not aristocracy. It is a very pretty book- a five year old could plan her birthday party with unicorn fudge,hot chocolate, chocolate bark...even Starbucks unicorn Frappuccino. Very pretty,but incorrect ,and expensive.
January 8, 2022
Not a fan of the cover pic but the binding drew me in. Inside I found lots of beautiful paintings, tapestries, tales as well as recipes and crafts to connect with the unicorn world. Enter with an open, child-like mind and you’ll leave with some magical memories. Take things too seriously and you most like won’t make it past the first few pages.
March 3, 2021
Beautiful to look at, lovely images, reading wise a bit far fetched, reaching for content and odd at times, but hey it is a book about unicorns :)
Please don’t use glitter in any of the suggestions.
Well I’m off to make my unicorn tears-yeah probably not.
Please don’t use glitter in any of the suggestions.
Well I’m off to make my unicorn tears-yeah probably not.
June 9, 2020
Absolutely one heck of a collection for any Unicorn lover or High Fantasy fan!
From recipes to history and everything in between; this is a stunning collection of everything Unicorn. Grab your inner child and learn the mythos behind the majestic creatures than follow your learning up with slice of Unicorn cake and a chaser of Unicorn pop culture. No matter your preference, this is just a beautiful book to have around the house for any fan and should be part of your collection.
Although the ebook has some beautiful pictures and can still be enjoyed for the contents, I would honestly recommend buying the hardback because this is a show stopper piece and should be displayed. I have the other books in the series and I just can't explain how absolutely stunning these books are. There's just no compare.
Either way, the details the author has put into the compilation are astounding and thoroughly researched. She has added many categories so that it's not just a history lesson but a celebration for the fandom.
So, go grab the book and fully immerse yourself in all things Unicorn.
From recipes to history and everything in between; this is a stunning collection of everything Unicorn. Grab your inner child and learn the mythos behind the majestic creatures than follow your learning up with slice of Unicorn cake and a chaser of Unicorn pop culture. No matter your preference, this is just a beautiful book to have around the house for any fan and should be part of your collection.
Although the ebook has some beautiful pictures and can still be enjoyed for the contents, I would honestly recommend buying the hardback because this is a show stopper piece and should be displayed. I have the other books in the series and I just can't explain how absolutely stunning these books are. There's just no compare.
Either way, the details the author has put into the compilation are astounding and thoroughly researched. She has added many categories so that it's not just a history lesson but a celebration for the fandom.
So, go grab the book and fully immerse yourself in all things Unicorn.
March 17, 2025
Prepare to be utterly enchanted! This isn't just a collection of images; it's a visual symphony, each photograph a portal to a realm of pure fantasy. The craftsmanship is exquisite, a testament to the dedication poured into every detail.
Within its pages, you'll discover a delightful alchemy of whimsical crafts – imagine concocting your own 'body nectar' with clear, intuitive instructions – alongside captivating literary excerpts, playful nods to pop culture, and rich, evocative lore. It's a treasure trove for anyone who yearns to immerse themselves in the ethereal and the fantastical. If you've ever dreamed of chasing unicorns or weaving spells, this is an absolute must-have.
Within its pages, you'll discover a delightful alchemy of whimsical crafts – imagine concocting your own 'body nectar' with clear, intuitive instructions – alongside captivating literary excerpts, playful nods to pop culture, and rich, evocative lore. It's a treasure trove for anyone who yearns to immerse themselves in the ethereal and the fantastical. If you've ever dreamed of chasing unicorns or weaving spells, this is an absolute must-have.
February 9, 2021
This was a magical collection of information about unicorns. I was left knowing more then I could even had known about unicorns!
I really enjoyed the diverse articles. There is history, art, art history, food, crafts , entertainment guides, fashion, makeup, and just fun facts!
I have the other books, Fairies and Mermaids. I can't wait to dive into next.
I really enjoyed the diverse articles. There is history, art, art history, food, crafts , entertainment guides, fashion, makeup, and just fun facts!
I have the other books, Fairies and Mermaids. I can't wait to dive into next.
July 3, 2023
This was a fun read, there was a lot of love put into this book and a good bit of research. At several points I had to put down the book because I was laughing and the only thing more magical then that is the unicorns themselves.
It gets an entire star for referencing my favorite movie and there is a nice interview with Peter S. Beagle along with some truly lovely photographs.
It gets an entire star for referencing my favorite movie and there is a nice interview with Peter S. Beagle along with some truly lovely photographs.
August 26, 2021
not much to say but it was nice. I enjoyed reading about the mythology and folklore of unicorns along with the crafts etc included in the book. beautifully designed, with nice imagery and nice writing. child friendly I feel also
January 6, 2023
A beautiful reminder to clear our minds, find our way back into nature ( both externally and internally), and be pure in heart in order to allow magic to find us. We can still find Unicorns in this day and age.
May 30, 2025
Another great book. I really fell in love with those tapestries which I had seen and heard about, but never really READ about ya know? And I loved learning about it! Love the gilded pages and all the mythical creatures that existed. Maybe the next book can be dragons? or cats?
November 11, 2020
A lovely compendium of all things Unicorn.
January 2, 2021
A fun and unique look at such a mystical creature and its history.
April 10, 2021
Magical! Totally going to get my own copy now.
February 25, 2022
I love these handbooks. This one did not disappoint.
March 27, 2023
Fun myths, history, and more. I think my daughters will like this one in a few years.
June 6, 2025
Historical and fantastical. Very cute.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews