Today's review is Have You Seen the New Forest Unicorn? by Carole Smith. This is the first in the New Forest Tales series for children - or adults alike - who enjoy stories about nature, animals - in particular, ponies - and set in the wonderful New Forest landscape. The forest is like a second home to me. It's a place of peace and calm and a welcome respite from the chaos of everyday life. However, I've never been to the New Forest! It'll be lovely to see the New Forest ponies and soak in the atmosphere of such a beautiful place. I've heard good things, and, after reading this book, I'm more determined than ever to go visit!
Thank you, LiterallyPR and Carole Smith, for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
AUTHOR BIO
Carole Smith was born and raised in London and Hertfordshire. Her parents moved to Milford On Sea when she was 17 and it was there, in 1985, that she met her husband Simon, who is ‘Forest born and bred’. Carole also fell in love with The New Forest. Carole and Simon have two children and two granddaughters.
Since a child, Carole has loved horses. She would pester her parents to take her to the New Forest to see the ponies. As well as having been a keen horse rider she’s had the joy of owning several horses. Yet, despite no longer riding, she loves spending time walking through the forest and taking in the beauty around her.
Carole has used the quirky characteristics of the ponies and horses she’s grown to know over the years to create the adorable main characters of her book.
BOOK BLURB
You may be lucky enough to see the Unicorn, it may be hiding behind the Gorse by the Stone Water Trough at Wootton.
Maybe Willow was right … it may go to Setley Pond for a drink!
It could even be visiting the Trolls that live under Wootton Bridge.
Perhaps the Unicorn did visit Hinchelsea, and saw the Hot Air Balloon?
And on a walk at Wilverley Plain or Longslade, you may be lucky enough to see the New Forest ponies grazing or playing: Drummer, Merlin, Peewee, Riley, Willow and Juliet.
If you go to the Deer Sanctuary at Bolderwood or to Pipers Wait you may even see The Monarch.
But on a dark clear night, if you look up, the Unicorn may appear among the stars in the sky over The New Forest.
MY REVIEW
Have You Seen The New Forest Unicorn? Begins with a lovely introduction to the six main characters, Drummer, Merlin, Peewee, Riley, Willow and Juliet. Following a conversation about unicorns between ponies, Peewee and Willow, there follows a journey of discovery between them and their four other pony friends to finally see for themselves this beautiful, magical creature.
This is a story full of dreams, friendship, imagination and the stunning magical beauty of nature. As well as these adorable New Forest ponies, there are many other equally wonderful characters such as the majestic stag, Monarch, his good friend, Henry the owl, Lester, the pig, and so many others.
I enjoyed this story. It’s full of innocence and charm and really takes you out of yourself. Accompanying this story are some beautiful illustrations by Alexandra Wilson. Have You Seen The New Forest Unicorn? can be enjoyed by both children and adults. It’s perfect for young readers. I hope there will be more stories from Carole Smith about these beautiful ponies whom all have as wonderful a character as each other.
NEXT REVIEW: 21st July: The Prodigal Son, by Chris Bishop.
Wessex 893. As the kingdom is once more plagued by Viking attacks, Wareham is obliged to strengthen its defences against the threat posed by a fleet of Viking longships which are rampaging along the south coast and could strike there at any time.
Meanwhile, having recognised Edward's true lineage, King Alfred fears that the boy may fall victim to every fraudster in the realm seeking to get their hands on the vast fortune he's set to inherit. Worse still, given his newly established bloodline, he could well be used by those wishing to usurp Alfred as King.
The most immediate threat to the boy, however, comes from his treacherous uncle, Edmund, who has already tried once to kill him and failed.
Edmund hides, for now, until his greed and envy lead him to strike again...
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of Carole Smith’s book, Have You Seen The New Forest Unicorn?
Until next time,
Stay safe and happy reading! 📖