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The World is Their Oyster
Looking for Unicorns on Safari follows a mom and her two children who go on a safari adventure through Africa and her daughter spends the trip looking all over for a real-life unicorn. What was the inspiration for your story?
Very simple, the inspiration is quite simple, I went on safari with my kids in beautiful Kenya. My daughter loves unicorns and of course, we were discussing our favorite animals and looking for them – including unicorns. I love how kids live in their own version of reality and everything seems possible. The world is their oyster. I noticed in the museums and books stores that there was a limited selection of children’s books, so I wanted to write one and add some Swahili, to hopefully make the book more attractive to visiting foreigners like us, but also to locals.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
All families have their own little nicknames and stories, I want to encourage children and parents to embrace their stories and discover the world from their own perpsective, and enjoy the wonder they discover.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I like the scene with the line ‘I see the grand gazelle with their bow ties and dow eyes’. This is my daughter’s favorite animal from the safari – besides unicorns of course.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a story I am working on focusing on the fun and silly interactions between young children. There is a lot of humor in these ones. I think it will be available later this year.
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Looking for Unicorns on Safari
Looking for Unicorns on Safari is a super sweet and whimsical picture book that follows Lotta, Leo, and their mom on a safari adventure through Africa. Lotta is on a mission to spot a real unicorn—with glittery wings and a rainbow mane, of course—while her brother and mom enjoy the sights of more traditional animals, like lions, zebras, and giraffes. Each page is a colorful spread packed with animals dressed up in fun outfits and some fun Swahili words sprinkled in along the way. It’s part story, part seek-and-find, and all kinds of fun.
This picture book made me smile from page one. It’s got that perfect mix of silly and sweet that kids just eat up. The illustrations by Nita Candra are just gorgeous. There’s this one part where the giraffe is “on stilts, reaching up to the leaves,” and I had to pause and just appreciate how imaginative and playful it all looked. You can tell this children’s book was made with a lot of love.
One thing that stood out to me was how the story never shuts down Lotta’s belief in unicorns. Even though we see a bunch of real animals, no one ever says, “Unicorns aren’t real.” Instead, the story just rolls with it. That moment near the end when Lotta finally sees her unicorn? Pure joy. And the ending, where Mama calls the kids her “two monkeys”? Adorable. Plus, I think it’s really neat that the book also donates a portion of its proceeds to Save the Children. It adds a little heart to the magic.
Looking for Unicorns on Safari is a lovely read for little kids who still believe in magic—and for grownups who wish they still did. It’s perfect for bedtime, storytime, or any time you want to go on a little adventure without leaving the couch. If you’ve got a kid who loves animals, dress-up, or magical creatures, this one’s a total win.
Pages: 36 | ISBN: 9783952620724
LITERARY TITAN 