- Graphic Novels
- Ages 8–12
- Fantasy
Unicorn Boy
A bright, funny middle-grade graphic novel about a shy boy who grows a magical singing unicorn horn. Strong for readers who like feel-good fantasy, identity stories, oddball friends and fast, accessible comics.
- Best for8–12
- FormatGraphic
- Length208 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr40 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Warm
- Whimsical
- Exciting
- Heartwarming
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Brian Reyes is an ordinary, shy kid until a bump on his head grows into a full, sparkling, singing unicorn horn. That is exactly the kind of attention Brian does not want, but the horn brings him into a bigger magical destiny involving friendship, self-discovery and helping others. Dave Roman gives the story a colourful, lively graphic-novel style that should appeal to readers of Narwhal and Jelly, InvestiGators and other funny, accessible comics, while also offering more emotional identity material beneath the silliness. The book is playful rather than heavy, but its core idea is powerful: something that feels embarrassing or strange may also be a source of strength. This is a valuable inclusive middle-grade graphic novel for reluctant readers, children navigating difference, and families who want joyful fantasy with heart.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 7–11
- Independent · 8–12
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Patchy
Works well for
- Bedtime
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
4 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Funny graphic novel
- Identity
- Unicorns
- Reluctant readers
- Feel good fantasy
Avoid if
- Wants realistic stories
- Prefers low magic
- Dislikes bright comic energy
Particularly good for children who are…
- Low self esteem
- Reluctant reader
- Making friends
- Struggling with reading
- Neurodiversity or learning differences
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A joyful, funny fantasy graphic novel about being yourself — a reluctant-reader pick that opens warm talk about identity and belonging.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific delight is the singing horn — Brian Reyes shy and ordinary until a bump on his head grows into a sparkling unicorn horn that sings, exactly the kind of attention he didn't want. The Dave Roman graphic novel where embarrassing turns out to be also magical.
- Being special or chosen
- Friendship and belonging
- Magic powers
- Proving yourself
- Transformation
Why parents love it
The Dave Roman inclusive middle-grade graphic novel — Narwhal-and-Jelly-adjacent colour and pacing, identity-and-difference themes underneath the silliness. Playful rather than heavy. Strong for reluctant readers and any child navigating being-the-odd-one-out.
- Shared humour
- Conversation starter
- Cultural representation
- Quick to read
About the author & illustrator
Dave Roman.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
- Bookshop.org ↗
- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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