10+ Best Unicorn Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on a magical quest to find the perfect unicorn books for 4-year-olds? You’re in luck! Whether you're aiming to spark a love for reading or just looking for the next bedtime favorite, we’ve rounded up a delightful selection of unicorn-themed stories that are sure to captivate your little one's imagination. Keep reading to discover our enchanting lists of unicorn books that are perfect for preschoolers!

Fun Unicorn Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Brigette Barrager
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This enchanting tale features Uni, a unicorn who believes that little girls are real, even though her friends say they aren't.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and the belief in the magical, fostering creativity and hope.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and any child who loves magical creatures.

• Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Thelma is an ordinary pony who dreams of being a unicorn. After a happy accident, she becomes one, but soon learns being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun read that teaches important lessons about self-acceptance and the value of being true to oneself.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories with moral lessons and those fascinated by transformation tales.

• Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Born under the sea to a family of narwhals, Kelp soon realizes he's not quite like them and goes on an adventure to discover what he truly is.
  • Why we recommend this book: This story blends the magic of unicorns with themes of discovery and belonging, perfect for encouraging self-exploration in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel different and are finding their place in the world.

• 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 learns that they aren't quite the perfect pets he imagined.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with humor and unexpected twists, great for engaging young readers and sparking laughter.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and those who love a story with a twist.

• Lily the Unicorn by Dallas Clayton
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Lily the Unicorn loves making new friends and trying new things. When she meets Roger the penguin, she teaches him the joys of friendship and trying new things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes the values of friendship, openness to new experiences, and the joy of adventure.
  • Perfect for: Energetic youngsters and any child who is a little shy but curious about the world.

Educational Unicorn Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Unicorn Who Sold Zero Cupcakes by Brenda Li
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: A young unicorn named Uni tries to sell cupcakes at a fair but faces unexpected challenges. Through perseverance and creativity, Uni learns about basic business principles and problem-solving.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic economics, counting, problem-solving skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to basic economic concepts in a fun and engaging way, using a unicorn character to keep their interest piqued.
  • Perfect for: Young entrepreneurs and any child interested in baking or business.

• Sparkle the Unicorn by Amy Young
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Social Skills
  • Synopsis: Sparkle the Unicorn feels different from others and learns how to embrace her uniqueness while finding her place among her peers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-esteem, social skills, emotional intelligence
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartfelt story that encourages children to embrace their individuality and fosters emotional growth.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning to navigate social settings and those who feel a bit different from others.

• The Unicorn Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Shennen Bersani
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes children through the alphabet with each letter representing a fact about unicorns, blending mythical elements with educational content.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, vocabulary expansion
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines the enchantment of unicorns with learning the alphabet, making education both fun and magical.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers starting to learn their letters and anyone who loves whimsical, educational reads.

• My Magical Unicorn by Yujin Shin
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This interactive book invites children to join a magical unicorn on an enchanting adventure, filled with interactive elements like sliders and flaps.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, imagination, interactive play
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an interactive reading experience that stimulates the imagination and physical engagement with the book.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love hands-on activities and magical adventures.

• Unicorn Day by Diana Murray, illustrated by Luke Flowers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyming Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A celebration of all things unicorn, this book is filled with colorful illustrations and rhyming text that depicts how unicorns celebrate their special day.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, reading fluency, color recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a joyous, vibrant book that encourages participation and engagement through rhyme and rhythm.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy lively, rhythmic readings and those who appreciate bright, engaging illustrations.

Challenging Unicorn Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Unicorn Prince by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jane Ray
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In this tale, Princess Ellie discovers a magical unicorn in the forest and embarks on a quest to save the unicorn's kingdom from an evil sorcerer.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces elements of classic folklore and moral dilemmas, which are more complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines enchanting illustrations with a rich, adventure-packed story that promotes bravery and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and fans of classic fairy tales.

• The Unicorn and the Moon by Tomie dePaola
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This story is a retelling of a traditional tale where a unicorn and a moon form a friendship, teaching lessons about loyalty and trust.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses more sophisticated themes of friendship and trust, woven into a narrative that requires deeper comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a beautifully illustrated book that offers a timeless lesson on the importance of trust and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with moral lessons and mythical creatures.

• Zoe and the Unicorn by Jane Andrews
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Zoe finds a lost unicorn in her backyard and sets out on an epic journey to return it to its magical world.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features a rich vocabulary and a layered plot that challenges young readers to follow along and understand complex situations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a captivating story that encourages empathy and determination through Zoe's adventurous spirit.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good adventure and those learning to tackle more complex stories.

• The Secret of the Unicorn Queen by Josepha Sherman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Series
  • Synopsis: When Sheila discovers an ancient tapestry, she is transported to a land where unicorns are real and an evil queen threatens the peace.
  • Why this book is challenging: This series introduces a continuous narrative across books, requiring sustained attention and memory of past events.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an ongoing adventure that can captivate readers for longer periods, fostering a habit of sustained reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for chapter books and those who enjoy long, unfolding stories.

• Unicorn Magic by Sabina Gibson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In this magical story, four unicorn friends use their unique powers to save their forest from a looming threat.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of teamwork and individual strengths, combined with a more complex plot and character development.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book not only entertains with its magical narrative but also teaches valuable lessons about cooperation and using one's talents for good.
  • Perfect for: Children who like stories about teamwork and young readers interested in character-driven plots.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Unicorn books capture the imagination like nothing else, especially for 4-year-olds! To make the most of these magical tales, here are some fun reading exercises that can help develop good reading habits at this young and impressionable age. Dive into these activities to turn reading time into an enchanting adventure!

• Create a Unicorn Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special corner dedicated to reading unicorn books.
  • How it helps: Creates a magical and inviting space that encourages regular reading.
  • Tips: Decorate with unicorn-themed cushions, posters, and maybe a little tent to make it extra special.

• Unicorn Character Match
  • What it is: After reading, match characters from the book with their descriptions or actions.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps remember key details about the story.
  • Tips: Use colorful cards with character names and descriptions to make it a fun matching game.

• Magical Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the journey taken by the characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the sequence of events and the structure of the story.
  • Tips: Use stickers and markers to mark important locations and events on the map.

• Unicorn Star Reader Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart to track the number of unicorn books read.
  • How it helps: Motivates children to read more and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Offer a small reward for every five books read, like a unicorn sticker or a bookmark.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: Draw a scene or a character from the unicorn book after reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and helps with visual memory and comprehension.
  • Tips: Provide lots of colorful crayons and encourage them to express their favorite parts of the story.

• Storytelling Swap
  • What it is: Take turns retelling the unicorn story with your child.
  • How it helps: Develops verbal skills and helps with memory and understanding of the narrative.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to add their own little twists to the story to make it more fun.

Reading about unicorns isn't just fun; it's a fantastic way to build early literacy skills. These exercises will not only enhance your child's reading experience but also spark a lifelong love for books. So grab your favorite unicorn story, and let's start this magical journey together!