Sapphire's Special Power (Unicorn University)

Sapphire's Special Power (Unicorn University)

Sapphire wonders if she’ll ever get her magical power in the second book of this sparkly new chapter book series that follows the trials and triumphs of young foals attending Unicorn University—perfect for those who love magic, happiness, and My Little Pony ! It’s another day at Unicorn University when Shamrock’s magic power develops. While his new ability is super cool, Sapphire doesn’t know how to feel. Now she’s the only one of their friends without any magic. Sapphire knows that when a unicorn’s power appears is as special as the unicorn herself…but what if she’s the only unicorn who never gets one? Then Sapphire realizes something: maybe she’s already unlocked her magic, and she doesn’t know it yet! Maybe she just has to search for it. Will her power be one that her friends already have, like invisibility or flight? Or will it be something Sapphire never expected? Gr 2-4-In Twilight, Say Cheese! readers meet the shy Twilight on her first day at Unicorn University, a school that her entire family has attended before her. Not only is she nervous about her first day-and the traditional class picture she and her new classmates will need to plan and pose for-but she's also struggling to control an emergent special power that renders her invisible. Published simultaneously is Sapphire's Special Power, which finds Twilight's classmate Sapphire searching for her own unique power, and everyone at Unicorn University eagerly anticipating a visit from the illustrious Fairy Green, who is on her way to the annual Fairy Gathering. Both titles feature likable protagonists working to fit in and find their places in the magical setting of the school; the stories are largely sunny in tone and focus on friendship, empathy, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-acceptance. While the series title and cover design are sure to attract younger readers, some of the vocabulary may prove challenging (e.g., quizzically, askew, enthusiastically, refracted). VERDICT Unremarkable but likely to please fans of unicorns and other series such as Daisy Meadows's various fairy collections.-Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elem. Sch., Elkins Park, PAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Daisy Sunshine writes books and dreams of unicorns by the sea in Santa Cruz, California. Monique Dong studied to become an animator, but soon realized she had a love for illustrating children’s books and has been following that dream ever since. Born in South Africa, she now lives in China with her husband and baby boy. Chapter 1: The Royal Messenger 1 The Royal Messenger Sapphire was so excited that she couldn’t stop moving. It felt like her hooves were filled with dancing beans. She dashed among her fellow first years of Unicorn University, making sure everyone was ready to go. They were all gathered together on the Looping Lawn, under the two tallest oak trees. The large knobbly branches stretched out far above them, covering the rainbow cluster of unicorn students. Sapphire noticed that the sun was lower in the sky. She straightened her shoulders and shook her long, braided blue mane. “Okay!” she shouted to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s get into our places. Shamrock, Firefly, you guys head across the field to make sure the banner is high enough so that Fairy Green can see it when she flies in.” Shamrock, a mint-green colt and one of Sapphire’s closest friends, nodded so enthusiastically that his large, black-rimmed glasses went crooked. Using her horn, Sapphire straightened them for him and then held out a large conch shell on a string. “I borrowed this from gym class. Just yell into it, and we’ll be able to hear you from across the lawn.” Shamrock slipped his horn through the string and straightened his neck so that the string fell down around his shoulders. “Wow, cool, just like Coach Ruby!” said Firefly, a red-and-gold unicorn. Sapphire watched Shamrock and Firefly run across the field. She still couldn’t believe they were all going to meet a real fairy tomorrow. Fairies lived throughout the five kingdoms, but as royal messengers they usually only appeared to deliver important notes or news. So you didn’t meet them unless you were someone super important. But when Sapphire’s teacher, Professor Sherbet, had heard that her close friend Fairy Green was traveling through Sunshine Springs for the annual Fairy Gathering, the professor had asked if her friend could stop by to talk to the first-year students. Ever since she was little, Sapphire had wanted to travel the five kingdoms. Growing up by the ocean, she’d seen ships travel by from all over the world. She would spend hours at her bedroom window, wondering where they were going and why. But the ships were always just out of reach, close enough to dream about but too far away for Sapphire to talk to anyone on board. So she couldn’t help but feel like this meeting with Fairy Green was the start of somethin