The Eyes of the Unicorn

Bateman, T. (2007). The eyes of the unicorn. New York: Holiday House.

Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Recommended Age: 10+

Beautiful illustrations accompany this majestic story, as Tanisa discovers and befriends an enchanting unicorn. However, the story is not without danger, as in his attempt to hunt the beautiful creature, the duke's son, Chris, accidentally injures Tanisa instead. Staying true to the essence of the unicorn, however, the boys heart is softened as he gazes into the eyes of the unicorn, and the creature magically heals the beloved Tanisa. While reading this book, I found myself caught up in another world, wishing I too could be a part of such a beautiful story, and live in such a beautifully landscaped world. Children of all ages will love the illustrations, yet given the violence and more adult themes, this book is probably more appropriate for ages ten and older. With hints at future romance and an underlying value of right and wrong, this book can be a great tool for adults to use in bringing about more serious discussions with their children.

Bush, M. The eyes of the unicorn [Review of the book The Eyes of the Unicorn]. School Library Journal. Retrieved March 7, 2010 from http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Unicorn-Teresa-Bateman/dp/082341728X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268191298&sr=1-1.

Although short, Bush's review of this book went into great depth as she described the duke's son, who is "bent on killing the creature both for the wealth its carcass will bring and to gain his father's approval." I appreciated Ms. Bush's further exploration of the book as she reviewed not just the plot, but the motivations of the characters. She finishes by expressing her appreciation for the fine illustrations, which she describes by saying, "darkened views shot with golden lighting, lengthened images, and occasional blurred focus lend a dramatic, surreal tone to the rather hackneyed scenario."