I Believe in Unicorns

by Michael Morpurgo, Gary Blythe (Illustrator)

Tomas hates school, hates books and hates stories. Forced to visit the library, he stops to listen to magical tales that the Unicorn Lady spins. These tales draw him in and are about to change the course of his life for ever... Set against the backdrop of war-torn Europe, I Believe in Unicorns explores the power of stories to transform lives. Produced in association with the Unicorn Theatre, the first purpose-built professional theatre for children in the UK, located on London's South Bank.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Picture Books, Historical, War, Middle Grade

76 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about the power of libraries and books and the magic of stories and unicorns. The very popular "Unicorn Lady" tells and reads stories to children as she sits on a wooden unicorn in their library. She is loved by the children of the town. It reminded me of my coworker Mrs. Jones who has read to the children at our library for many years and is loved by generations of children from our area.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I love Michael Morpurgo's work, I'm never too sure how to rate it. I found this volume down with the pre-school picture books - because, well, I guess it's a hardcover illustrated books for kids. Where else would it go?

Although the library's deficient cataloguing system shouldn't really influence me, it does. Big time. It leaves me with the unsettling feeling that Morpurgo's books don't get the attention they deserve because the publisher has created something as unclassifiable as a unicorn itself.

Ok, so this is a book about an eight-year old boy. But it's not a toddler's picture book (though it bears a vague resemblance to one), it's not really an early reader or a chapter book. It's kinda like a middle reader with the sort of pictures mainly adults like. Hmmm. When it comes right down to it, it's a hybrid the publisher has specially built for showcasing Morpurgo's work.

Which might be good for sales to libraries, but not, I think, for getting them off the shelf and into the hands of kids. At least here in Australia.

Ok, then, grizzle over.

This is a story about the power of words:
first, to kindle the imagination
second, to bind people together in a common purpose
third, to create hope

A young boy is drawn to a unicorn statue in a library. He's enthralled by the storyteller who lets the children sit on it and who makes words come alive. Stories begin to mesmerise him...

And then war comes. The library is shelled... and it appears that the story and the unicorn that guards the story-telling may be silenced forever.

[Unal Olgun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read ‘Private Peaceful’ by Michael Morpurgo, I was delighted by Michael’s award winning book. A few years later, I came across ‘I believe in Unicorns’ at my local library. Thus, I decided to read and review it.

‘I believe in Unicorns’ is a creative book written by Michael Morpurgo. The book is very appealing to young audiences. The book grabs the reader’s attention with its unique, imaginative writing and its vivid visual illustrations which are like the icing on a cake.

The story is of a little boy named Tomas Porec that lived in a mountain village. Tomas never enjoyed going to school, reading books, shopping, or even going to church. However, he enjoyed going out with his dad. During summer, Tomas would go to fishing, swim near waterfalls, laugh and squeal with joy. One day, Tomas’s mum was concerned and decided to take Tomas to a library. In the library, Tomas discovers a group of children huddled together in excitement. Tomas laid his eyes upon the wooden unicorn that was beside the children. He was drawn closer to the group and decided to sit down and listen to the unicorn lady (librarian) tell a story. The unicorn lady later soon discovers Tomas’s love for stories. The unicorn lady tells the children the secret of unicorns and explains why they are real. The tales draw Tomas in, making himself part of the story and changing the course of his life for ever, making him believe in unicorns.

The book also includes some trace of violence as the war in the city comes to the mountain village. As a result, the library, buildings and schools are destroyed. Can Tomas, his friends and the unicorn lady save the books from the blazing flames? What happens to the wooden unicorn?

An excellent book with imaginative writing and great illustrations. This book is suitable for pupils aged 7-11. This book would be great on the bookshelf for independent reading. It can also be used for guided reading. This book gives you a lump in your throat due to the violence of the war. This book is a great read because it helps children understand that we cannot negatively judge activities without trying them such as, reading books.

[Cruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Illustrator: Gary Blythe
First Published:2005

Set in war torn Europe with an unspecified location and time - all we know is it's post-Nazi (post-WWI?) - we witness the terror coming to a small village, and the courage of the people who save themselves, and their souls.

Beautifully, poignantly told, this book covers a lot of ground:
- book burning
- the fear of public speaking
- the joys of reading
- the loss of innocence, growing up
- fairy tales and mythology
- the joys of reading
- solitude and peer pressure
- war
- family

This book is at times powerful and thoughtful, funny and sad.

Beautifully illustrated to add clarity and narrative, Blythe's pencil drawings support Tomas' journey.



This children's book is empowering.

It makes a difference.

Age:
Read aloud - 6+ (some Big Thoughts in here)
Read yourself - 8+

References:
Michael Morpurgo's website: http://michaelmorpurgo.com/books/i-be...
I believe in Unicorns short story version: http://www.campaignforeducation.org/b...

(ISBN 9780763630508)

-CR-

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok; the story was nice, the pictures evocative. But it just didn't get there for me; I kept waiting for "the transforming power of stories" and somehow missed it? Either that or the description is super hyped. I'm going with the latter.

[Bahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morpurgo'nun anlatımını ve öykülerine yerleştirdiği tarihsel arka planı seviyorum. Okurunu çocuk olduğu için enayi yerine koymayan, değerli bir yazar. Bu kitabı beni özellikle etkiledi. Tavsiye ederim :)

[Marie Rouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. A story about a boy, who to begin with, hates everything. A tale about the power of stories and poems and the importance of books. Illustrations were lovely too.

[Ally Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son told me about this incredible book they’d shared at school and I wanted to read it too but couldn’t find it on Libby or Borrow Box. Instead, I found this book by the same author and as a fan of unicorns I decided to give it a listen.

It’s a beautiful children’s story about how the children in the town discover stories at the library. The librarian shares many stories with the children but also a personal one about how she got the unicorn and of the book burnings.

I loved the story and I would recommend it to others to share with children. However, be aware that there is a fire, and if that’s a topic your child is triggered by then this might not be for them.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what I anticipated with this story. It started I'm a pastoral setting and I thought I was getting a book about a young farmer/beekeeper boy who falls in love with animals, them we are introduced to the Library Lady who gives us a Christian story with a twist, then we are suddenly in war time.
I enjoyed the beginning and the end, not so much the middle but you couldn't really have the ending without that centre point.
All in all, nor a terrible book but not one I will be revisiting.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about the magic of reading

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful story about the power of books and stories.

[Rabspur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about an eight year old boy Thomas an only child who prefers to be in his own company, he dose’nt like Reading, until his Mother takes him to the local Library, he sees a Unicorn sat in the corner whilst a woman is reading to other Children, from that moment his live drastically changes, typical Michal Morpurgo Book, highly recommended.

[Becky Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘I Believe In Unicorns’ follows the story of a local librarian, and Tomas, a young boy from the same small village. Whilst Tomas loves spending time outdoors in nature, he learns to love the art of storytelling and the magic of reading by visiting his local library and listening to tales told by the librarian, so much so that he introduces his friends to the same magic. He and the other local children gather day after day to listen to the librarian (the unicorn lady) tell her stories with the help of her magical unicorn. She invites involvement from the children by encouraging them to read their own stories, and give her ideas for new ones. Later, when the village is attacked and the library is burnt down, Tomas and his father save as many books as they can from the burning building before it collapses, and the villagers vow to look after them until the library can be reopened.

‘I Believe In Unicorns’ is a beautiful illustration of how books, stories and the people who love telling them can change lives, open new worlds and ignite imagination amongst even the most cynical, and how the passion for reading burns on, even in the most trying of circumstances. This story is sure to inspire future generations to discover the magic of reading.

[Alison Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book has great scope for teaching.
It has a strong link to how reading is important and stories can influence your aspirations and dreams.
There's a message of hope and faith within the book, nd that although something won't be the same, the memories and important things can move with you.
A good book to read for children that are maybe going through a hard time, maybe moving house to show them it's not the building that matters, it's the memories.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I nice story about the importance of books in our lives. A boy reluctantly finds himself at the local library only to be entranced by the librarian as she tells stories while sitting on a large wooden unicorn. When their town is hit by war, the citizens join together to save the books from burning in the bombed library. Easy to like this book when you are a librarian!

[Sam S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little J Fiction book recommended by a coworker. Very quick read. Reminded me of how much I liked watching "The last unicorn" movie as a kid.

I could have done without the religious reference (Noah's ark) but it related to the unicorns, so I'll let that pass.

I want a full sized carved wooden unicorn of my own now, that I can sit on. Seems like appropriate adult furniture, right?

[Louise O'Connell]

I Believe in Unicorns is the first book I've ever read by Michael Morpurgo. After being told how wonderful his books are, and being a fan of war horse, I thought it was time I read one for myself, and I was not disappointed. This book was incredibly magical. I couldn't put it down from start to finish. A perfect short read in between bigger books. I'll definitely be reading more of his work.

[Lisibo]

I read this last week in about 20 minutes whilst waiting for my son in the library - it may be short but its message about the power of stories to capture the imagination makes it a book that all parents and educators should read!

[Seth Mottram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic just epic

[Enfys Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son told me I should read this. It made me cry. Beautiful.

[Julie Jobling · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very good easy to read but had good meaning.

[Mrs G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. A quick read about magic of story-telling. Will be perfect for my class library in year 3.

[Kirsty Cabot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little story accompanied by very pretty illustrations.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Michael Morpurgo writes too many stories. Or perhaps, more to the point, he makes too much of a fanfare about each one, publishing it by itself in very big font and with a premium price tag. Each is usually no more than a short story. Perhaps it would be more fitting to collect a few of them together and publish them as a collection?

This one, like the majority, is a mere slip of a thing. This time, the value of stories, and books, is impressed upon us; and it’s set against a backdrop of war. It holds two or three ideas at most, not exactly connected, and weaves them together in a way that’s just about acceptable.

That said, the unicorn story-within-a-story is quite delightful, and cleverly done; and the way in which Morpurgo depicts war intruding unexpectedly into everyday life is probably as scary as it’s meant to be. I’ll also concede that Morpurgo has a singularly pellucid style (extremely simple, very short sentences and utilising a mostly basic vocabulary).

So, not a bad book by any means, but just one among countless others, all slickly produced; on that thick, high-quality paper; beautiful cover; lavishly illustrated; and with a quote on the back in which someone from the press assures you that, with Morpurgo, you’re in the hands of a master storyteller.

I wouldn’t buy these new but the charity shops are full of them, and at £1.50 a pop, they’re worth an hour or two of your time, reading them to yourself or to your child,

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story about a boy who discovers the power of books. Set during war-time Europe, Tomas discovers his love for books, for stories. He learns how some will do anything to stop those who read, those who dare to reach for the stars, who dare to dream.

“It was a time when wicked people ruled the land, wicked people who were frightened of the magic of stories and poems, terrified of the power of books. They knew, you see, that stories and poems help you to think and to dream. Books make you want to ask questions. And they didn't want any of us to think or dream, and they especially they did not want us to ask questions. They wanted us to only think as they thought, to believe what they believed, to do as we were told.”

This book tugged at my heart. Reminded me of the importance of my love for books, for stories, for my dreams. Though it is short, a children’s book, there is depth and power behind the words written by Michael Morpurgo.

“All of us who would like to can take away all the books they can manage and care for them. They must be kept dry and clean and loved. Loved is very important.”

I encourage you to read it, remember your love for books, the power behind the words of the stories you cherish.

“You really have to believe something will happen before you can make it happen.”

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. I was apprehensive picking it up and being about unicorns but I have read Michael Morpurgo before and know he’s good at what he does so I decided to give it a go and I am very glad I did. The story is a great way to introduce the difficult realities of war at a young age and it was beautifully done. I also found the illustrations gorgeous and a great contribution to the overall beauty of the book.

Favourite Quote:
"It was a time when wicked people ruled the land, wicked people who were frightened of the magic of stories and poems, terrified of the power of books. They knew, you see, that stories and poems help you to think and to dream. Books make you want to ask questions. And they didn’t want any of us to think or dream, and especially they did not want us to ask questions. They wanted us only to think as they thought, to believe what they believed, to do as we were told."

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there any Michael Morpurgo book that doesn't get a 5 Star rating from me?? (Actually, yes... one or two of his fantasy/humour books aren't quite like the others, but hey ho, he can't be perfect all the time!!!!)

I Believe in Unicorns is a complete gem... especially as it centres around the theme of a love of reading.

Tomas lives in a war torn country (not divulged, but I did some detective work and I THINK it would be Croatia) and he hates reading. He would rather be in the hills than at school, but when his mother insists he goes to the library one rainy day, he happens upon a storytelling session with the librarian, who has an oversized unicorn at her side. Tomas is drawn in by the stories and he soon realises that there is magic to be had in book...

What more can you say...?!

[Daniel Rodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is lovely and very accessible text about the power of storytelling and the importance of reading.

Set within a small mountain village Thomas a child who wants to spend his days anywhere other than school finds himself entranced by the "unicorn lady" who opens his mind to a world of stories and magic.

When war finds it's way to Thomas's village the villagers come together to protect the books from fire and come together with the library be coming the centre of their damaged community.

This story can be used to encourage children to share stories as well as just read them and how story telling can provide comfort and community in the face of darkness and pain.

[Imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often that a book will make me cry and this did a little. It was part of my booktubeathon and I picked it because it was short and I love Michael Morpurgo's writing. I hadn't read it in years and had forgotten what it was about but now I've reread it I've fallen back in love. Somehow in 76 pages Michael Morpurgo makes you completely fall in love with these characters. I think everyone should read this book it is a short, illustrated book but that doesn't mean it's just for children everyone will get something out of reading this book.

[Rama Ramaswamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that speaks about the importance of reading. I had read a lot about this book but I did not find it all that great. The premise of the book is noteworthy but the narrative flows a little too smoothly, simplifying issues like war and its aftermath and moving on. Also, the pictures are too dour for a children's book and I was unable to appreciate it much. Having said that, the book talks about dreams and the importance of believing in them and keeping them alive so that you see them come true one day. Only, I happened to expect more from my first Michael Morpurgo book.