The Last Black Unicorn
What’s inside...
From beloved comedian, actress, and New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Haddish comes Layla, the Last Black Unicorn, a hilarious, original picture book tale about a lovable but awkward unicorn who learns why her uniqueness is her biggest strength.
It's not easy to fit in when you stand out. When Layla arrives for her first day of school at Unicornia, the school for unicorns, she realizes that she's not like the other kids there. They're all pastel colors and know the rules to Horn Ball and none of them come from the Woods like Layla does. Try as she might to make friends, Layla's just . . . different. But when her class gets lost during a field trip to the Fiddle Dee Deep Forest, it's up to Layla to step up and save the day.
Layla, the Last Black Unicorn is a hilariously heartwarming picture book about self-acceptance, self-esteem, and standing up for standing out by New York Times bestselling author, Grammy Award-winning comedian, and actress Tiffany Haddish and Jerdine Nolen, author of the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Thunder Rose.
Age
2-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a 'unicorn' in their own special way?
How do you think facing challenges helps us grow? Can you share an example?
In what ways do the characters in the story show strength and resilience?
Can humor be a way to overcome difficulties? How did humor play a role in this story?
What lesson did you learn from the story that you would apply in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate personal experiences or similar challenges you've faced to the story, to help your child connect deeper with the material.
Praise your child for insightful comments or unique perspectives they share, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios in the book, boosting their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Use humor yourselves during the discussion to mirror the tone of the book and show that difficult topics can be approached in a light-hearted way.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversity
Explanation: The protagonist faces numerous challenges but continually overcomes them, displaying strength and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up despite difficulties, encouraging them to tackle obstacles in school and life with determination.
Example Lesson: The importance of self-expression
Explanation: The main character uses humor and unique personality traits as tools for self-expression and coping.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace their individuality and express themselves in creative, positive ways, whether through art, writing, or speech.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Interactions between diverse characters can teach empathy, showing the importance of considering perspectives different from one's own.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop social skills, understanding, and acceptance of classmates and friends who might have different backgrounds or experiences.
Example Lesson: Building confidence
Explanation: The protagonist's journey includes developing confidence in her unique identity and abilities.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to believe in themselves and their capabilities, which is vital for self-esteem and personal development.
Example Lesson: The value of humor
Explanation: Humor is used throughout the book to diffuse tension and create bonds between characters.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that laughter can be a powerful tool for dealing with life's challenges and for connecting with others.