The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Unicorn by Bella Swift is an illustrated chapter book that is currently scheduled for release on August 312021. After Peggy the pug puppy is left at the animal shelter just before Christmas, she is taken in by a foster family. But the situation is just temporary—the family isn’t ready for a dog quite yet. And the little girl, Chloe, wants a unicorn for Christmas, not a puppy. Peggy decides that she will become a unicorn to make Chloe’s Christmas wish come true—and hopefully make Peggy’s temporary home her forever home in the process. All she needs is a long silky mane, a glowing horn, and the ability to do magic! Easy-peasy, right? But all of Peggy’s attempts to become a unicorn go hilariously wrong. From knocking over the Christmas tree to getting lost in the snow, Peggy remains a pug. How will she ever find a forever home if she can’t make her new humans happy?
The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Unicorn is a transitional chapter book that might hit just the right chord with some young and transitional readers. I love that while the book is sweet and fun, it also shows how much work is involved with properly caring for a puppy. I think this is even more impactful, especially for young readers, but putting the book in the dog's perspective. Poor Peggy just wants to play and be loved, just like the kids reading the book. Seeing that the pug makes mistakes (just like them) but that those mistakes come from good intentions or things out side Peggy's control is something that most will be able to relate to. I think the book is very accessible to new independent readers, and might be a new favorite for many. I now need to read the author's previous book about a pug wanting to be a reindeer.
