Growing up, I was a shy kid who always felt like she didn’t fit in. As a I result, I had trouble making friends and was afraid to be myself. So, I gravitated toward shy, creative, and unique characters in the stores that I read. Lisa Caprelli’s Unicorn Jazz reminds me of one of those stories. Girly, colorful, and playful, the cover alone invites readers into a pastel world of animals, music, and a great lesson for young readers who are trying to break out of their shell.
Unicorn Jazz plot summary
Jazz is a young unicorn who loves to sing but is too shy to perform in front of others. When she and her parents move to the El Paso Zoo, Jazz finds it hard to fit in. The horses, giraffes, and geckos don’t include her because she doesn’t look or act like them. School is starting, and Jazz is too afraid to go without any friends. So, she runs away.
Then, Jazz meets a crow named Woof who encourages her to be herself. Gathering up her courage, she returns to the zoo and breaks out into her favorite song in front of all of the animals. Only then do they accept her for her differences, and she becomes a welcome member of the zoo.
My review
Unicorn Jazz is everything a great picture book should be. Jazz is a well-rounded main character who shy, introverted readers can relate to and all readers can admire. Meanwhile, Woof represents that rare breed of beings who aren’t afraid to be themselves and are a godsend for shy misfits who have trouble making friends.
The moral of the story is acceptance. It teaches you that if you feel different from everybody else, embrace those differences, and others will respect you for it. Likewise, if you see someone who looks out of place, be sure to accept them for who they are, and include them. It’s when Jazz tries to be like the others that they dismiss her, but when she stops trying, that’s when they notice her and the talent that she possesses.
Jazz is a generally happy character who becomes overwhelmed by the prospect of going to school and making friends. It mirrors the fears and uncertainties that we all face when we head out into the world without our parents for the first time. It’s then that we become aware of ourselves as individuals and interacting with strangers for the first time. Everything that we think about ourselves gets called into question, especially when everyone around you seems so different.
Despite its strong moral, the book isn’t preachy or dull. The number of words on each page varies from one to several sentences, but it never feels uneven, providing just enough information to tell the story and highlight each character from page to page. It’s the perfect length for preschool and kindergarten-aged readers.
The illustrations
Unicorn Jazz is illustrated by Davey Villalobos and has a hand-drawn look to it without seeming crude or amateurish. Jazz’s personality really shines through in her big eyes, pink mane, and shiny, gold horn. Every page is colorful, and the unique pencil strokes give a feeling of movement to the backgrounds and simple details. The animals are brought to life with their distinct postures and cartoonish faces creating a unique yet kid-friendly style.
Teaching materials
A teacher’s curriculum accompanies this book and can be found on Caprelli’s website. She also sells really cute Unicorn Jazz-themed products such as t-shirts, stickers, coloring books, and more.
This is the first book in an intended series about Jazz, and with her colorful personality and sincere messages, there are a lot more stories that can be told about this young unicorn. I gave this book five stars on Goodreads and hope to pass it on to a young reader who could use a confidence boost before they head off to school themselves.
The Friendship Song
Jazz’s favorite song to sing is The Friendship Song, and it is performed multiple times throughout the book. I especially like the added touch of the rainbow font that appears whenever the song is sung. The Friendship Song can be found on Caprelli’s website as well as the audio book that can be downloaded on Audible, sung by Kerri Kasem. So, parents who aren’t comfortable singing can have the song performed while they read.
Be sure to check it out, and help the author out by leaving a review wherever possible!
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Unicorn Jazz here, and help support local bookstores. This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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A lovely review. I will bear this book in mind.
thank you laurasbooksandblogs for giving me wonderful information