10+ Best Unicorn Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime story or a magical adventure to share with your little one? Look no further! Our curated selection of unicorn books for 3-year-olds is packed with tales that spark imagination and bring enchanting worlds to life. Whether you're looking to add to your collection or find that first special book of fantasy, keep reading to discover our favorite picks in unicorn books for 3-year-olds. You're sure to find a story as unique and magical as your child!

Fun Unicorn Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Brigette Barrager
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A young unicorn believes that little girls are real, even though her friends say they aren't. This story explores the magic of friendship and the power of believing in the impossible.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and the belief in the magical, fostering creativity and a sense of wonder in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love magical creatures and fantastical stories.

• Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Thelma is an ordinary pony who dreams of being a unicorn. After a lucky event makes her look like one, she becomes an instant celebrity but soon learns that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and humorous read that teaches important lessons about self-acceptance and the true meaning of happiness.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy funny stories with a meaningful message.

• Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Born under the sea to a family of narwhals, Kelp has always known he was different. When he discovers he's actually a unicorn, Kelp sets out on a journey to find out where he truly belongs.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book celebrates diversity and the quest for one's identity with a gentle and loving touch.
  • Perfect for: Young readers exploring their own place in the world and those who like stories about self-discovery.

• You Don't Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Liz Climo
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: When a little boy wishes for a unicorn, he soon learns that they can be quite a handful. From cupcakes to rainbows, unicorns aren't as great as they seem.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious take on why sometimes what we wish for isn't what we really want. It teaches consequences and the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
  • Perfect for: Children who love a good laugh and those learning about the consequences of their choices.

• Hello, Unicorn! by Sabina Gibson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Board Book
  • Synopsis: Using simple text and colorful illustrations, this board book introduces the youngest readers to a magical unicorn who explores her whimsical world.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its sturdy pages and engaging, simple narrative make it ideal for toddlers beginning to explore books.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who are just starting to enjoy books and engage with colorful, imaginative stories.

Educational Unicorn Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Unicorn Adventure by Felicity Green, illustrated by Sarah Baker
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: Join Lily and her magical unicorn as they travel through enchanted lands solving puzzles and discovering new friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, basic math skills, and understanding of colors and shapes
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure with learning, making it a fun way to develop critical thinking and early math skills.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love adventures and parents looking for educational storybooks.

• My Magical Unicorn by Yujin Shin
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive book invites young readers to join a magical unicorn on a day filled with magical adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Motor skills, imagination, and interactive play
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to interact with the story through flaps and touch-and-feel elements, enhancing sensory development and engagement.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy sensory play and interactive reading sessions.

• Sparkly New Friends by Heather Burnell, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Early Reader
  • Synopsis: Unicorn and Yeti meet and become friends, sharing sparkly adventures and learning about friendship.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading skills, friendship ethics, and emotional understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to early reading with simple text and themes of friendship and acceptance.
  • Perfect for: Beginning readers and young children learning about making and maintaining friendships.

• Unicorn Day by Diana Murray, illustrated by Luke Flowers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A celebration of all things unicorn, this book features a joyful parade with songs, games, and lots of rainbow colors.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming and rhythm, color recognition, and social participation
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhyming text and vibrant illustrations make reading fun and engaging, perfect for keeping young readers interested.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love rhymes and those who appreciate bright, lively illustrations.

• A Unicorn Named Sparkle by Amy Young
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Lucy orders a unicorn, but when Sparkle arrives, he doesn't quite meet her expectations, leading to a series of funny and heartwarming adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Expectation management, emotional adjustment, and humor appreciation
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about acceptance and the joys of unexpected outcomes in a humorous way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a good laugh and stories about unexpected friendships.

Challenging Unicorn Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Unicorn Whisperer by Linda Chapman, illustrated by Biz Hull
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Sophie discovers she has the rare gift to speak with unicorns. As she learns about her abilities, she embarks on magical quests with her unicorn friends to save their world from danger.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces complex themes of responsibility and ethical dilemmas, which are advanced for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It nurtures a sense of responsibility and bravery while engaging young readers with its enchanting and adventurous plots.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for more complex stories and those fascinated by magical creatures and heroic tales.

• The Secret Mountain by Enid Blyton
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: When a group of children discover a mountain with a hidden portal, they meet a magical unicorn who needs their help to solve an ancient mystery.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book combines elements of mystery with fantasy, requiring readers to follow and solve puzzles along with the characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages problem-solving and critical thinking in a fun and imaginative setting.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love solving mysteries and embarking on fantastical adventures.

• Zoe and the Unicorn by Jane Andrews
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Early Chapter Book
  • Synopsis: Zoe, a young girl with a love for adventures, finds a lost unicorn in the woods and decides to help it find its way back home, learning about courage and friendship.
  • Why this book is challenging: It transitions readers from simple picture books to early chapter books, introducing a longer narrative and more complex sentence structures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps bridge the gap to more advanced reading, and its story of friendship and bravery is both captivating and educational.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to explore longer books and enjoy stories about friendship and adventure.

• The Midnight Unicorn by Neil Reed
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice finds a mysterious book that leads her to a midnight world ruled by a majestic unicorn. Together, they embark on quests to save the magical realm from dark forces.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a multi-layered plot and rich, descriptive language that are more complex than typical books for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination with its detailed world-building and provides young readers with exciting heroic tales.
  • Perfect for: Children who are ready for more detailed and adventurous narratives and have an interest in fantasy worlds.

• Unicorn Magic by Sabina Gibson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Series
  • Synopsis: In this series, Ruby the Rainbow Witch and her unicorn friends use their magic to help other creatures and solve problems in their magical forest.
  • Why this book is challenging: The series format allows for more complex character development and longer, interconnected stories that require attention and memory over multiple readings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes themes of kindness and teamwork while building literacy skills through its engaging, ongoing narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy following characters across multiple books and learning about helping others through magical tales.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the magical world of unicorn books with your little one, you're in for a treat. Reading can be a wonderful bonding activity, and it's never too early to start developing good reading habits. Here are some fun exercises to enhance your 3-year-old's reading experience with unicorn books. These activities are designed to be engaging and beneficial for their early literacy skills.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of the unicorn book before reading, looking at and talking about the pictures.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read the unicorn book aloud, using expressive voices for different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and vocabulary.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the reading more fun and engaging.

• Spot the Unicorn
  • What it is: As you read, have your child point to the unicorn whenever it appears on the page.
  • How it helps: Helps with word and character recognition.
  • Tips: Praise your child each time they spot the unicorn correctly.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: After reading, help your child arrange pictures from the book in the order they appeared.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory.
  • Tips: Start with two to three key scenes and gradually increase as their understanding improves.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the unicorn book with your child, using toys or costumes.
  • How it helps: Boosts imagination and helps in understanding the story.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing scenes and characters to role play.

• Simple Q&A
  • What it is: Ask simple questions about the story after reading, like "What is the unicorn's name?" or "Where did the unicorn go?"
  • How it helps: Encourages recall and comprehension.
  • Tips: Keep the questions straightforward and directly related to the story.

These exercises aren't just fun; they're stepping stones to building lifelong readers. By engaging with books through these activities, your child will learn to love reading and look forward to story time. So grab your favorite unicorn book, snuggle up, and enjoy this magical journey together. Happy reading!