Dale the Uniclyde: An Adventure in Friendship

It’s an age old story of two ordinary friends who see the extraordinary in each other and wind up making each other’s dreams come true. Told in anime-like pictures by English illustrator and artist Heather Parrott, Byron von Rosenberg’s new book, Dale the Uniclyde: An Adventure in Friendship connects with the soul much like “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen. Told in rhyming verse, the story narrates the life of Dale, a unicorn Clydesdale born with wings far too tiny to fly whose unique qualities are only appreciated by a lowly stableboy. The results of their friendship, however, are joyful and true, and leave the reader with both a smile and a tear, and perhaps a remembrance of the special friends in his or her own life. It is a coming of age poem that all ages will enjoy, and would be an excellent Christmas present for elementary and middle school students.

Byron von Rosenberg is author of the popular children’s picture book, I Don’t Want to Kiss a Llama! and of the wonderful “laugh and think” poem book, Thinking Upside Down. Byron began writing poetry in 2002 with a prayer for this father called “Look at My Hands” and continues to write daily. Born in Houston, Byron grew up in New Orleans. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tulsa (in Chemical Engineering!) and a Masters of Science in Human Services from Murray State University. He has also authored two books of inspirational poetry, Don’t Feed the Seagulls and Climb the Red Mountain, and a delightful book of Christmas poems, O Christmas Treed! Byron and his family live in Missouri.