Otfried Preußler (1923–2013)

Three brothers set out to hunt the unicorn in this original fairy-tale from German children's author Otfried Preußler and expatriate Russian illustrator Gennady Spirin. As his elder brothers find better purposes—one gets married and settles down, the other finds his fortune and sets himself up in a grand style—Hans, who never really wanted to hunt the unicorn in the first place, carries on the pursuit. When he finally does find the creature however, such is its astounding beauty that he cannot kill it, standing lost in wonder, and lost to time. When he finally does return to the human world, his hair is gray, and he is an old man, sharing the story of his encounter with this marvelous creature.

Originally published in German as Das Märchen vom Einhorn, this gorgeous picture book pairs a simple but immensely engaging narrative with breathtakingly beautiful artwork. I suspect that some readers might find the conclusion here rather anticlimactic, after all of Hans' journeying, but I thought there was a certain power to its simplicity. Preußler doesn't waste any words, and his description of the unicorn's beauty is minimal—one experiences it through Hans' awe, and through the gorgeous artwork. Somehow, this felt right to me, as moments of epiphany come unexpectedly through sensation, and are rarely ushered in (in my experience) with long speeches. I have read many books illustrated by Spirin at this point, and always find his work beautiful, but I think he outdid himself here. These Renaissance-style paintings are worth seeking out for their own sake, but when paired with a thought-provoking fairy-tale about wonder, about refraining from destroying that wonder, then all the better! Recommended to young unicorn fans, and to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture book art.… (more)