Linda Chapman
Linda Chapman: My Secret Unicorn (Flying High and Starlight Surprise)
Puffin Books, £5.99
Rating: ««««
My daughter Miranda (12) helped me out with the review of this book.
This series is a prime example of the cover’s bland cuteness cheapening the contents: it is a far better book than the cover would have you believe. It was a surprise to us both. Miranda, having read other fantasy/pony titles, was not expecting much. "The unicorn bit," she said, "wasn't too over the top. I liked the fact not everybody had a horse, because usually in this sort of book everyone does, and that made it more real. I would probably read another." Well, I think I would too, even though I am missing its target market by about 40 years.
Lauren owns Twilight, a grey pony who is in fact a unicorn. His unicorn status has
to be kept from the world, and the problems of doing this give the books some of
their plot tension. Miranda has a good point when she says this book is real: despite
the unicorn element, it is. The relationships between the children are well and sensitively
described. The books are rather more about the characters' experiences at home and
school than they are about ponies: the first is about adjusting to a new stepmother
and stepsister, and the second about bullies and the fears of the very young.
The internal illustrations are, when it comes, to humans, fantastic. I wish, though, that the artist (Biz Hull) had as much skill depicting horses as he does people. It is such a shame they fall short, but I am delighted that Puffin are including illustrations, and making a break from the sub Nick Sharratt style.
Linda Chapman lives in Leicestershire with her family and two Bernese Mountain dogs. As well as the Secret Unicorn series (reviewed below) she also writes the Unicorn School, Stardust Forest and Mermaid Falls series. Although it looks as if she writes exclusively for the younger market, if you are a Heartland fan, you will probably have read some Linda Chapman, as she is one of the authors behind the Lauren Brooke brand.
The Secret Unicorn series is readable and well observed: not as much pony content as some, but the characters and situations are attractive. Good to read aloud. If you’re an adult, steer clear of the Unicorn website. It is not for you. Linda Chapman also has another, much less sparkly website, here.
The Secret Unicorn Series
The Magic Spell 2002
Dreams Come True 2002
Flying High 2002
Stronger Than Magic 2003
Starlight Surprise 2003
A Special Friend 2003
A Winter Wish 2004
Snowy Dreams 2005
Twilight Magic 2006
Friends Forever 2006
Rising Star 2006
Starry Skies
2007
A Touch of Magic 2007
Moonlight Journey 2007
Keeper of Magic 2007
Starlight Surprise 2007
Moonlight Journey 2007
Unicorn School Series
Rating: haven’t read any yet
First Class Friends
The Surprise Party
The Treasure Hunt
The Sky Horses Series
Cloud Magic, 2009
The Royal Foal, 2009
The Whispering Tree, 2009
The Eye of the Storm, 2009
