Donut: The Unicorn Who Wants to Fly/Rosquilla: El unicornio que queria volar

Toddler-Gr 2–This touching bilingual story about a unicorn who wants to reach new heights is a wonderful romp for emerging readers. Gehl’s short, pensive phrases in English are deftly adapted into Spanish by Canetti to describe how Donut/Rosquilla problem solves to make her dream of flying a reality. On each page, Zuill illustrates how animal friends—birds, bunnies, mice and lizards—keep hope alive even when Gehl’s intrepid unicorn falls flat on her face, slumps, sighs, or whinnies in frustration. Bubble images and spoken words add to this tale’s hilarity and pathos as the wild creatures bolster their horsey pal’s efforts. Readers will be inspired to leap with abandon as Donut/Rosquilla’s story comes to happy conclusion, reminding all that life is richer when one is surrounded by loving friends. One unicorn’s flights of fancy will appeal to children who may shy away from seemingly impossible challenges. In this tale, disappointed dreams just make Gehl’s unicorn hero more resilient. Strengthened by her friends’ resolve, Donut/Rosquilla’s toothy grin is prominently displayed when they go off together as part of a flying ­harness; life is a breeze because clouds pass, and rainbows eventually appear. ­