Lucy and her pet unicorn Sparkle, who previously appeared in A Unicorn Named Sparkle and A New Friend for Sparkle, return in this third picture-book devoted to their adventures. As Christmas approaches, Lucy becomes quite concerned about presents, frantically shopping for gifts for Sparkle, and instructing him to do the same for her. Sparkle however, is more interested in playing with the birds, and when Christmas morning comes and Lucy has no gifts from her unicorn friend, she reacts very poorly. It is only when she makes Sparkle cry that she relents...

Although author/illustrator Amy Young's artwork in A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas was every bit as cute as in the previous installments of the series, I was so put off by the story that I found I couldn't enjoy it as much as those other titles. Lucy's behavior was so over the top, and her change of heart so late in the story, that I found most of the narrative here rather unpleasant. I found myself thinking, as I read, of an incident from my own childhood, in which I desperately wanted a particular toy for Christmas, only to be given one that was less expensive. They had the same type of box, so until I unwrapped it, I was convinced that I had been given the gift I wanted. I can still recall that feeling of dismay, when I opened it, and the look, almost of fear, on my mother's face as she watched me. I also recall how I thanked her, and how I pretended to love it, spending the entire afternoon running around playing with it, so that her feelings wouldn't be hurt, and she wouldn't suspect how disappointed I was. Oddly enough - or perhaps, not so oddly at all - after a day of play, I ended up loving that toy.

I share this anecdote not to make any claims that I was a saintly child - I could sometimes be quite a devil! - but to demonstrate that children, if taught the correct way of behaving, can learn to control themselves. If taught the real meaning of Christmas, they can look past their (perfectly natural) desire for presents, and focus on love of family and (in religious homes) love of God. Unfortunately, although I think Young's heart is in the right place here, and although she depicts Lucy repenting of her unkindness to Sparkle at the end, somehow that development felt like an afterthought. Although no doubt intended as a lighthearted look at what one shouldn't do, this one just left a bad taste in my mouth. ( )