Thelma the Unicorn

I overheard a teacher reading Thelma the Unicorn to one of her students at a public library. In between reading she kept telling her colleague how amazing the book was. Of course, my curiosity got the better of me and I grabbed the book before anyone else could read it.

I have now bought my own copy of Thelma the Unicorn and plenty of copies for all the little girls whose birthday parties we go to. I’m just that keen on this book! I’ll get to the reasons why a bit later in this post.

Wonderfully, Thelma the Unicorn is also one of the books on the NSW Premier Reading Challenge so even more kids are going to be exposed to its message.

As its on the Premier Reading Challenge List, we added it to our booklist. If you want to know more about the Challenge, head to the bottom of this post.

Book 2 of the PRC: Thelma the Unicorn

Thelma the Unicorn is just magic! It is a great easy reading story with a strong plot and an even stronger message. I think this is the best book that Aaron Blabley has ever written. Pig the Pug has nothing on this book, in my humble opinion.

The plot 

Thelma is a pony. A rather ordinary pony who longs to be more. She wants to be a unicorn. One day this dream comes true and Thelma experiences life as a unicorn. As she discovers, being a unicorn is not as great as it appears.

The message 

Thelma becomes harassed by people claiming a right to see her or photograph her. She also is subjected to some people saying nasty things about her. After her experience as a unicorn she discovers that she just wants to be herself and live her ordinary life.

This story conveys so many messages that we unfortunately have to teach our children to survive in current society. This book is a great way to introduce the importance of

• being ourselves and being happy in ourself;
• allowing people to be themselves; and
• being kind.

With all the things our children are going to be subjected to as they get older, we have to start helping them identify themselves and the importance of valuing who they are despite outside influence from now.

Our booklist

At this stage of the challenge, we have also read: Animal Babies of the Seas and The Cat in the Hat.

♦

NSW Premier Reading Challenge

If you don’t know about the NSW Premier Reading Challenge, it is an initiative by the department of education to promote literacy and reading. It is not a competition!

There is an extensive list of books on the website from which you choose the number of books you have to read. We have to read 30 because my son is in the K – Year 2 Challenge.

Once we read our book we add it to our booklist and if we get to 30 we get a certificate from the Premier.

You can find out more from the NSW PRC Website.