Joon_Big Red_and the Unicorn

Joon, Big Red, and the Unicorn

Joon is a keeper in the Timeless Forest...

Joon is a keeper in the Timeless Forest, tending to all the trees and plants.
When a fire threatens everything that she knows, she must make a daring escape to ensure
her beloved red cedar tree lives on.

A picture book for 4-8 year olds.

Review

Joon, Big Red and the Unicorn written by Marianne de Pierres, with whimsical watercolor illustrations by Sunshine, is a children’s picture book that seamlessly blends themes of friendship, courage, and renewal. Set in the Timeless Forest, the story follows Joon, a dedicated Keeper of the Forest, and her friend Big Red, the last Redwood tree of its kind. The Timeless Forest is an enchanted place where unicorns ‘swim across Glow Lake when the moon is full, to chew the fruit from the lolly bushes and the flowers from the tangle vines’ and Joon’s job is to water the stream lilies and midgenberries and collect fallen seeds from all the trees.

Filled with richly evocative language featuring a range of literary devices, this story is full of powerful symbolism, with Big Red representing the ancient wisdom of the natural world, the shiny seed left behind serving as a poignant symbol of hope and rebirth, and the character of Joon herself representative of the future generations the author has dedicated this book to: ‘my children’s children’. The personification of Big Red as a nurturing and protective figure adds emotional resonance to the story, making it a tender and meaningful introduction to loss for young readers. This is a book that will spark conversations about friendship, care for nature, climate change, sacrifice, loss and hope.

In this picture book offering, Marianne de Pierres, an accomplished writer for both adults and children, has woven words into a tale that is both accessible and profound, making it a wonderful choice for readers aged 4 to 8.

Sunshine’s vibrant watercolors bring the magic of the Timeless Forest to life, imbuing the pages with bright charm and a sense of wonder. Her artistic style perfectly complements the story’s whimsical elements and serves as a lighter contrast to the story’s emotional depth.

Visually captivating, rich in language and offering layers of meaning, Joon, Big Red and the Unicorn is an excellent pick for parents, carers and early years educators looking to inspire environmental awareness and a love of story in young readers. Its message of holding on to hope after loss will linger long after the final page. Highly recommended! ~ Dannika Paterson, author of Heavy and Jacaranda Magic.