In her latest adventure, Uni the ­Unicorn is about to dance in her first recital. And, the newest “Afro Unicorn” story follows the friends as they lead a parade.

Rosenthal, Amy Krause & Candice Ransom. Uni’s First Recital. illus. by Brigette Barrager & Alan Batson. 32p. (Step into Reading). Random. May 2024. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780593652039; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780593651995.
PreS-Gr 2–Uni the Unicorn is back for another relatable adventure. In this latest outing, Uni frets and feels nervous about an upcoming dance recital. In rehearsal, Uni finds herself mixing up her right and left hooves, while also bumping into her fellow dancers, Pinky, Goldie, and Silky. Their instructor, Ms. Lightfoot, offers guidance and encouragement, while Uni’s mother also provides comfort and assistance. When the day of the big performance arrives, Uni’s magic helps all the dancers, who deliver a fabulous show to all the residents of the land of unicorns. Fans of Uni are certain to enjoy another addition to the series, and new and emerging readers will engage with the repeated sight words and well-paced new vocabulary. Sentences range from three to 10 words, with two to four sentences per spread. Colorful illustrations are sure to capture attention on each page. VERDICT A highly relatable and entertaining tale, and a recommended purchase for early reader collections.–Olivia Gorecke

Showers, April. Afro Unicorn: A Magical Parade. illus. by Anthony Conley. 32p. (Step into Reading). Random. May 2024. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780593806968; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780593704158.
PreS-Gr 2–The Afro Unicorns prepare to celebrate the Day of Crowns, an annual and highly anticipated festival. After donning special crowns that make them feel their best, the trio of Unique, Divine, and Magical make their way to town, in awe of the crowds and colors that surround them. A new unicorn approaches the friends and is extremely upset that she has lost her crown. The friends quickly offer her comfort and devise a plan to create a sparkling new crown. The new friend adores the crown and asks Unique, Divine, and Magical to lead the parade with her. Fans of “Uni the Unicorn” will thoroughly enjoy this series, with its charming and colorful illustrations on every spread. The text features ample use of sight words, along with new vocabulary spaced generously throughout the story. Sentences range from three to 12 words, with illustrations frequently providing visual clues to the text. For example, on a spread showing two of the unicorns preparing for the celebration, the text reads, “Divine dips her hooves in glitter. Magical picks out rainbows for her mane.” VERDICT A sweet and straightforward story, ideal for early reader collections.–Olivia Gorecke