Giddy Up, Unicorn!

Thank you Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the amazing ARC in exchange of an honest review.


This is a lovely story about a girl and her dad and their love for unicorns. The illustrations are beautiful and vivid and story tells us how life completes a circle.

Highly recommend it.

I love this book! Emma loves unicorns and her dad. Emma has unicorn stuffed animals, posters, costumes and even her own drawings are all unicorns. As she grows older, her focuses on other things she enjoys. She grows up, becomes a mother and now her, her daughter and her dad bond over the unicorns that she once loved.

This book is adorable! I loved the bond between the little girl and her father! Her love of unicorns was sweet and I enjoyed how that evolved as she got older.

The illustrations are so sweet. I loved the use of whimsy and color! Plus it was fun to see the dad with his tattoos.

My four year old son enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend this book to any young unicorn lover!

What were you obsessed with when you were a kid? Emma loves unicorns, and her father does too... or maybe he loves spending time with his little girl.

Using unicorns as a symbol for the intense and all-encompassing love children feel, this story navigates the relationship of a father and daughter duo. Little ones will love the pictures and fun scenes, and grown-ups will see themselves and the reflection of how they love and were loved, sometimes for a while... sometimes forever.

It's the perfect story for everyone: little girls who love unicorns, fathers who love their daughters, girls who grew up and now don't like unicorns anymore, mothers who once were little kids, and boys who will grow up to be told they need to forget about childhood's magic... even if it's not true.

Giddy Up, Unicorn! is an adorable picture book focusing on the sweet relationship between a father and his daughter. I loved the way the 2 characters were presented, especially the adorable way the tattoos were depicted in the illustrations. The story was very fast & simple, but it was a really moving family relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dani Gomez, and Charlesbridge for the opportunity to review

This is a lovely father and daughter story about a little girl who loves unicorns. Her friends always know what to get her for her birthday, and her room overflows with unicorn posters and stuffies.

Her big, brawny father also indulges her passion by reading her bedtime stories about these mythical creatures - and he even dresses up with her as a fellow unicorn for Halloween!

But eventually she grows out of unicorns, and develops other interests. So what will happen to her collection now...?

I was not expecting this to be as emotional as it was, or maybe it was just me. Either way, I loved it. This is such a sweet story all parents can relate to. A father watching his little girl grow up and change. When your child has a special interest, this book features the love of unicorns, as a parent you do everything you can to allow your child to express that. My favourite part of this book is the way the dad looks. He's this big, bearded, tattooed, intimidating-looking guy but like most guys like that, he's a huge teddy bear. I also love seeing more tattooed parents in books, as a tattooed parent it's nice to see.

This book is both beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. This is definitely one I'll be purchasing a physical copy of when it is released.

This book is such a warm hug for the soul. I loved it so much I almost cried!

It's about a little girl who grows up loving unicorns, and her father does everything in his power to make her happy. Soon enough, she begins to grow and move on from the unicorn phase. What will happen now? I loved the inclusivity and the fact that he's a single dad and a tough guy with tattoos and a bushy beard, but he plays unicorns with his little girl! The ending was surprising, and I enjoyed it so much!

It's a great book with awesome illustrations that show a manly man being soft and a great father!

This is a heartwarming book about unicorn-loving Emma and her dad. I did not expect for this book to make me as emotional as it did. It gave ‘Love You Forever” vibes, but more modern.

I love the illustrations and character design. I really loved the father’s tattoos!

This is the perfect book to read with any parent or grandparent, and will be one I highly recommend.

What a beautiful story! The illustrations are gorgeous being so bright and colourful. My unicorn loving 4 year old and her dad both loved it.

It’s really lovely to see a unicorn loving dad represented, especially someone who’s got a big beard and covered in tattoos. Definitely ditching the stereotypes here. The ending was fantastic. It’s got my husband wanting to do something similar!

Thank you NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the chance to read and review this book.

4.5 Stars

In a way, this book reminded me of two of my favourite children’s books - Love You Forever and The Giving Tree because it too tells the story of a little girl whose priorities change as she grows up. It was sweet and poignant in an easily relatable way. I see this book becoming a classroom favourite. A definite must add to any library.

WOW! This tale was precious. All about a little girl who loved unicorns growing up, and her big tough daddy who was completely supportive. As she grew up, her interests changed, and the unicorns were shelved...all but ONE.
Highly recommend this for the heartwarming story and beautiful illustrations.

This was such a cute picture book that I will be purchasing a copy for myself as well as for my library. The children will love it as much as I did!

Dad has a red beard, lots of tattoos, and a daughter who LOVES unicorns even more than they love reading together. Good memories.
Many thanks to LUISANA DUARTE ARMENDARIZ for Translating the story from Spain to US English.
The illustrations by author/Illustrator DANI GOMEZ are delightful, fun, imaginative, colorful, and clearly convey the ideas of father/daughter togetherness.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you! Available Sep 03, 2024 #GiddyUpUnicorn #NetGalley

Giddy Up, Unicorn! seems like your typical story about a little girl and her father playing together. It's sweet and simple, with beautiful illustrations and a sweet rhyme scheme. As the story unfolds, Gomez digs deeply into the relationship between father and daughter, and how this relationship shifts and changes as we grow. While the little girl in the story stops playing with unicorns, she always loves her father, and her father always loves her. At the end of the story, we see the little girl all grown up, with a child of her own. Dad becomes grandpa, and a whole new reason to play Giddy Up, Unicorn! is found. This is a lovely story about relationships, play, and growing up through it all.

#GiddyUpUnicorn #NetGalley

Super cute book!
When I first started reading the book, I was wondering why the Dad in the story had so many cliche tattoos. However, I really liked how that aspect of his character tied into the ending, I thought it was super clever.
The next thing I really liked was the drawings. OMG!!!! They were very detailed and colorful, which I already loved. In addition, though, the illustrator went above and beyond with the subtle details, especially background details. I had a blast observing these cute and funny Easter eggs, and I think adults and kids will, too.
The last thing I really enjoyed was the cute story with a depth of extended time. What I mean by this is: we see Emma grow up from a child to an adult with her own daughter, and this added facet really made the book that much more heartwarming.

Cute story about a daughter and her relationship with her father. This one follows one girl’s interests through the years and a father’s love to keep her treasured collection of unicorns. When the daughter has her own family, her father brings out the box of her old treasures and gives it to his granddaughter.

This book is great for fathers and daughters and granddaughters. It’s great for bearded dads and tattooed dads. It’s also great for unicorn lovers.

A heartfelt story about a dad, his daughter, her love for unicorns… and growing up. It can be tough watching your kid grow up & their interests change. But you never know what the future holds. Such an endearing tale, this one’s more for the parents, though your little will enjoy it as well.

Why is a children's book making me cry?! I LOVED this book, especially as a parent - it feels like this one is for us. I loved the breaking of sterotypes this book highlights. A big, tall, tattooed dad (much like my own husband) can still love playing with his little girl and take part in the magic of her imagination. It hurt my heart a little to watch the phases of childhood go by, but it is inevitable, and those memories truly do live on forever! This is one of my favorite children's book here on NetGalley, and I will absolutely be purchasing a copy for my kids (and my husband).

Added to my cart immediately! I loved this sweet book about a father's love for his daughter without being too preachy.

Emma loves unicorns, and her tattooed and sweet-smiling father is only too happy to indulge her childhood delight in the mystical creatures. As her interests change and Emma grows older, her dad holds onto those precious memories and even finds a way to give them new life.

We feel it important to first note that we don't have a single tattoo between the two of us . . . and yet, a picture book about a father and daughter's bond has us weeping over sentimental body ink! This book is light-hearted yet deeply meaningful, and pulls at our nostalgic heart strings as we wish time would slow down just a tad for us to savor young childhood a little longer. The father looks like a cross between Santa, a biker buddy, and Mr. Rogers and we just want to give him a pat on his burly back and tell him "You did and are doing great!" Definitely a book we recommend!

Giddy Up, Unicorn
by: Dani Gomez
Translated from Spanish by Luisana Duarte Armendariz
Charlesbridge Books
2024
5.0 stars

Heart-warming story of a Father and his daughter, Emma, who are especially close and enjoy a love of unicorns together. As Emma becomes older, she has other interests, and replaces her unicorns with posters of singers and spends her time on the computer. Emma moves out, becomes a motherr and her daughter is into unicorns, the box of unicorns her kept he now enjoys with his grand-dayghterr.

Upbeat and fun book with colorful illustrations. This is sweet and touching, a great book to read with your kids.
Thanks #NetGalley for sending this ARC e-book for review
#NetGalley #GiddyUpUnicorn

I love it when large, tattooed, bearded men are portrayed as giant softies.

This wonderful father supports his daughter through her love of unicorns and saves them as she grows up,

The relationship between the father and daughter is so beautiful. The book's description reveals that eventually, his daughter has a daughter, and he has another beautiful and supportive relationship with his granddaughter.

This book brought tears to my eyes. I loved it and want to share it with students in translated English and the original Spanish.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

I picked up ‘Giddy Up, Unicorn!’ by Dani Gómez for the unicorn and wasn’t disappointed! This book made me tear up a little, and I ended up calling my mum after just to tell her I love her. It’s one of those reads that hits you right in the heart.

Plot: ★★★★☆
This was such a sweet plot, not what I was expecting at all! It’s filled with tender moments and a lovely message that resonates deeply. Perfect for a heartfelt read.

Character: ★★★★☆
Every character is so well crafted. Readers are sure to connect with at least one of them, if not all. Each character adds a unique touch to the story, making it feel so real and relatable.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They bring the story to life and add a magical touch that makes each page a visual treat.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
The engagement for children might be a little lacking in this book. It’s definitely more of a parent’s or grown children’s sentimental read. But for those who love a good emotional story, it’s perfect.

Readability: ★★★★☆
Great readability with a strong read-aloud factor. The text flows nicely, making it a pleasure to read out loud and share with loved ones.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
I’m not sure about the kids, but I absolutely loved this book. It’s touching, sweet, and leaves you with a warm feeling inside. A beautiful story for anyone who appreciates a good tear-jerker.

‘Giddy Up, Unicorn!’ by Dani Gómez is a heartwarming read that goes beyond expectations. Its sweet plot, well-crafted characters, and beautiful illustrations make it a standout book. While it might be more suited for parents or grown children looking for a sentimental read, it’s an absolutely lovely book that I highly recommend. Whether you're looking to connect with a loved one or just enjoy a touching story, this book is a gem.

Such a sweet story about growing up and the softer side of dads. Emma and her father love unicorns, but as Emma grows up, her interests change. Her dad holds on to those precious memories in his own special way.

This picture book is very well written and shows how parenting and children grow up together. The representation of a dad/daughter relationship is great- you don’t see that too often! The grace in showing that persistent love through growth is rewarding was perfectly depicted. The father having tattoos and long hair was also refreshing to see! Would recommend this for older children or to parents experiencing their child’s change in interests. #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARC

Unicorns and Tattoos are loved by my library story time crowd, so I'm sure this book will be a hit! Although the story doesn't have the cadence to make it a great read aloud book for a group, the engaging artwork and the obvious love between the child and the adult in the book make it perfect to share one-on-one with a child. While the sentimental and nostalgic tone might make a caregiver thoughtful, the final tattoo twist should bring back the smiles! A wonderful and modern addition to the "my child is growing up" shelf at the library.

This was one of the sweetest kids books I’ve read in a long. The first time I read this book I could barely get through it without tears, as a mom of 2 girls, who grow up too fast. That feeling didn’t go away after the 45th time my 4 year old asked me to read it again. This book has become a bedtime staple in our house.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This would be really good for kids with siblings who are significantly older than them and are moving out or reaching other adult milestones. So sweet!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book! I loved the illustration style of this book but found the writing style a little wanting.

Giddy Up Unicorn, written by Dani Gomez, is the story of a little girl named Emma, and her dad. Emma loves Unicorns more than anything, and her dad does a wonderful job supporting this love, even being a unicorn to give her unicorn rides. Emma loves to draw unicorns, spend time with her unicorn toys and stuffies, and play unicorn. But as Emma grows she has other interests, as we all do. But her dad still supports Emma in whatever way he can, and shows her the love he has for her.

This is such a sweet book about growing, family, caring for each other, and enjoying time together. And of course it has to have a heartwarming ending, which parents and grandparents are sure to appreciate! This is a great book for little ones to read by themselves or with a loved one. Thank you to NetGalley and to the author and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book. It reminded me of my husband and daughter. The illustrations are very cute and I love the inclusivity of the beard and tattoos. NGL it made me tear up a little when she grew up. But then I smiled again at his tattoo. A very sweet book.

This is a cute, simple picture book about a little girl's love for unicorns, and her dad's love for her and fond memories of her childhood as she grows. This will appeal to parents more than kids, since so much of it focuses on the parent's emotional perspective on a kid growing up, but unicorn-loving children will enjoy this book as well.

A bond of a parent and their child is an amazing this, in this book the bond is over unicorns - such a great idea.
Emma loves everything unicorns and she bonds over it with her dad, as she grows and has her own kids, the same happens for her kids, and the book has a wonderful full circle to it. magnificent book!

A diverse and inclusive and fresh children’s book with cute artwork, a projection of the future, a heartfelt story about differences and tastes, and lovely characters.
4.5 stars, rounded down, because I am begrudged that there is not more pages and more to that story since the plot has so much potential.

I too love unicorns, so I loved reading about a girl who loved unicorns. THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY. Unicorns everywhere in the house... until there weren't... and THEN. No spoilers. Super quick and sweet read. I love the tattooed dad. 5 stars. Beautiful.

An adorable story for little unicorn-loving girls and their Dads, especially a bearded, tatted son-in-law! This book speaks to a very tender relationship and how it progresses in time. The message was a too advanced for really small girls (1 and 3) but more appropriate for an older child, hence the 4 stars. Lovely graphics and touching words which almost made me tear up. I can see a lot of Daddies wanting to hold on to this one for a granddaughter some day!

A really heartwarming book about a girl and her dad.
The daughter is obsessed with unicorns, bed time stories of unicorns, posters of unicorns and every dressing up as unicorns. Her dad is always on hand to help her build her unicorn obsession.

As she gets older her love of unicorn fades but her father keeps all her unicorn memorabilia to savour the good memories.

When the girl grows up and has a daughter of her own, the dad, now a grandfather gets to share all that love again.

Beautifully written and illustrated.

I'm not crying you are . . . This book is such a loving portrayal of both childhood and parenthood. As a child Emma is obsessed with unicorns and her dad fully supports her even going so far as to be her trusted unicorn ride (obviously far superior to pony rides), but her interests start to diverge from unicorns the older that she gets. Not to worry, Emma has a daughter of her own who is also obsessed with . . . you guessed it . . Unicorns! The side by side storytelling of Emma and her dad's relationship as they both age through life's chapters was flawless. The illustrations were adorable and I think it's wonderful that the dad had tattoos because I don't see that in children's books very often. This book will be a perfect addition to my unicorn storytime repertoire and to my personal library for my own daughter. 5 stars!

This sweet tale of a little girl growing up and developing more mature interests is sure to bring a tear to the eye of any parent, while the kiddos will enjoy the humor and the author's charming illustrations. A touching and funny book that will be read again and again.

This was SO cute! Loved the artstyle and Emma and her dad! We need more books like this, honestly!
Also: unicorns and kids obsessed with them? Amaze. Cute. Fun!

Book 189 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A beautiful story about a girl, her love for unicorns, and her relationship with her father as she grows up.

Great illustrations and this story made my eyes a tad moist..

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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