The Unicorn Alphabet (Picture Puffins) - Softcover

Mayer, Marianna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140549226 ISBN 13: 9780140549225

Publisher: Puffin, 1993

Synopsis

The classic medieval legend of the unicorn serves as a motif for the alphabet

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- Inspired by the symbolism and design of the medieval Unicorn Tapestries, Mayer has compiled an alphabetical guide to folk beliefs in magical and medicinal powers and symbolic meanings of flowers and animals which are pictorially loosely linked to unicorns. Often, however, the unicorn has nothing to do with the object described. Each page is bordered with flowers (some not identified until the last pages) representing the letter of the page. On some pages, it is difficult to find any graphic depiction of the words representing the letters. For "M," for example, marigolds and mistletoe, the featured words, are not clearly identifiable in the picture. Hague's illustrations are reminiscent of his in the duo's The Unicorn and the Lake (Dial, 1982). Muted colors and elaborate designs predominate. His unicorns range from the magnificent steed representing "U," to a weedy animal seemingly in need of veterinary attention on the "M" page. While Hague's many admirers and unicorn buffs will probably enjoy them, they seem closer to calendar pages, separate and decorative, than illustrations unifying and extending a text. Not a wholly successful choice for an alphabet book, this will attract browsers who may absorb some of the lore, but will probably just look at the pictures. --Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Following up their first joint effort ( The Unicorn and the Lake ), Mayer and Hague have produced an alphabet book centering on the perennially popular unicorn. Each page portrays the legendary white animal with some related aspect of flora, fauna or myth that corresponds to the featured letter ( X and Z are a bit of a stretch). A decorative border displays a flower or plant of medieval or more ancient significance, whose name also begins with the appropriate letter. Hague, whose glowing illustrations have lit up the pages of many reissued classics, has provided paintings that seem for the most part limp and uninspired. For diehard unicorn enthusiasts only. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0140549226
• ISBN 13: 9780140549225
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Hague Michael