Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert written by Morag Hood and Illustrated by Ella Okstad is an eye-catching picture book full of fun, flair, and attitude. Sophie declares that she is “an expert on unicorns” and works tirelessly to enhance her proclaimed status. She reads books on the subject, instructs the 17 pretend unicorns in her care about magic and even makes a horn for each of them to wear including her dog, her dolls, her teddy bear, her jack in the box and her baby brother!
Children will enjoy the playful illustration of Sophie’s bedroom where she gives lectures to her unicorns as well as the picture of the total disarray in the kitchen where she tries to instruct the unicorns as to how to find food. Many opportunities for visual awareness and “I spy games” exist throughout this book that will enchant the eyes of young children.
Sophie herself is so wrapped up in her pretend unicorns that she fails to notice a more real unicorn on almost every page. Sophie’s dog rolls his eyes in dismay when his mistress does not see the unicorn with a real horn. She is busy bathing her unicorns, dancing with them and feeding them to notice the real unicorn that has come calling right in her midst. On the last double spread illustration unaware Sophie declares: “Really, it’s a good thing I’m here. Some people don’t even know what a REAL unicorn looks like!”
Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert written by Morag Hood and illustrated by Ella Okstad is a charmer for children 3-7 years of age (Simon and Schuster, 2019).
Questions and activities for Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert
Sophie teachers her unicorns how to hunt for food in her kitchen! Turn to that illustration, look closely and find the following items: a banana peel, a cupcake, seven carrots, a box of popcorn, a partially eaten sandwich, a frosted doughnut, a bottle of spilled milk, a cup of tea and a cat. Who is the dog looking at and what could the dog be thinking? And finally, where could the cat be going? Use your imagination.
Study the illustration where we see Sophie making horns for her 17 unicorns. Name each of them—don’t forget to include the little bird she is holding. Some of the horns are made out of colored paper and glue while others are made out of carrots and toothbrushes. Next, gather together some art materials including paper, crayons, glue, stickers, and sparkles and make a unicorn horn for yourself. It can be as colorful and decorative as you would like.
Sophie concentrates on her pretend unicorns so much that she does not see the actual unicorn that appears in the same room with her! Have you ever concentrated so hard on finding something that you couldn’t see it even though it was in plain sight? How did it make you feel when you eventually found the item that was always right there?
