Nico the Unicorn facts for kids

Nico the Unicorn is a fantasy story about a boy and his magical unicorn. It was first a book written by Frank Sacks in 1996. Later, it was made into a film in 1998, with Frank Sacks also writing the movie's script. The film was directed by Graeme Campbell.

Quick facts for kids
Nico the Unicorn

Front cover
Author	Frank
Language	English
Genre	Juvenile fiction
Publisher	Tom Doherty Associates
Publication date	1996 (1996)
Pages	154
ISBN	978-0-8125-5171-6
OCLC	35819782

The Book

The book Nico the Unicorn was written by Frank Sacks. It was first published in 1996 by Tom Doherty Associates. The cover art was created by David Gaadt. Frank Sacks is a writer and film producer. This book was his first novel written for young readers.

Book Story

The story begins after Billy has an accident. This accident causes his leg to be injured. Billy visits a place called the Starlight Circus. There, he buys a pony. This pony later gives birth to a unicorn. Billy names the baby unicorn Nico. Sadly, the pony is later attacked by a mountain lion and dies. Billy then has to keep Nico a secret. He tries his best to protect his new magical friend.

Main Characters

• Billy - He is the main character. His leg gets hurt in an accident.
• Nico - This is Billy's special unicorn.
• The Pony - She is Nico's mother.
• Bruce - He is a bully who often teases Billy about his leg.
• Julie - She is Billy's mother.
• Carolyn - She is Billy's friend. She accidentally tells Bruce and his friends about Nico.

The Film

The film version of Nico the Unicorn was directed by Graeme Campbell. Frank Sacks, who wrote the book, also wrote the movie's script. The movie was filmed in Canada. Some filming locations included the Eastern Townships and Montreal. The film was released in Canada in 1998.

Film Cast

• Anne Archer plays Julie Hastings
• Michael Ontkean plays Tom Gentry
• Kevin Zegers plays Billy Hastings
• Pierre Chagnon plays Ben Willett
• Elisha Cuthbert plays Carolyn Price

Film Story

Billy and his mother move to a quiet area in Vermont. They moved after a car accident. This accident caused Billy to lose his father. It also left Billy with an injured leg. Billy finds it hard to get used to his new life. He also struggles to make new friends.

One day, Billy visits a small petting zoo. He sees animals kept in poor conditions. He notices a small pony with a horn taped to its head. Billy learns the pony is about to be sold for a sad purpose. He makes a deal with the zoo keeper and buys the pony instead.

Billy takes the pony home. He cleans her up and takes good care of her. The pony seems to be pregnant. Soon, she gives birth to a foal. Billy and his friend Carolyn watch as it happens. The foal grows a horn and turns out to be a unicorn! Billy names the young unicorn Nico. He gets the name from the letters in the word "unicorn."

Nico's Growth and Danger

One day, Billy is at school. A mountain lion comes to attack the pony and Nico in the stable. The pony bravely protects her colt. She is killed by the mountain lion. Billy and his mother later bury the pony on their land.

That night, something magical happens in the stable. The next morning, Billy finds that Nico has grown into a full-sized unicorn. Carolyn visits later that day. She suggests that Billy could charge people to see Nico. This would help his mother, Julie, earn money for school. Billy gets upset by this idea. He and Carolyn argue. Carolyn leaves and goes back to town.

In town, Carolyn meets Bruce and Mark. They make fun of Billy. They say he claims to have a unicorn. Carolyn tries to defend Billy. She says she has seen Nico. But then she quickly denies it when Bruce gets too interested. The group does not believe Carolyn. However, they decide to trick a local newspaper. They plan to take a picture of Nico with a fake horn. They offer the local news reporter, Cecil, a big story. Cecil is looking for something exciting. They say if they show proof of a unicorn, Cecil will pay them a lot of money. Cecil agrees, thinking they are just making it up.

A Race to Safety

Meanwhile, Carolyn rides ahead to warn Billy. Billy immediately packs a bag. He plans to take Nico to safety. They will go up to Big Rock, on a dangerous mountain. Bruce and his friends arrive before Billy can leave. They ask Billy where Nico is. Billy refuses to tell them. Bruce pushes Billy down. Nico comes out of the bushes and tries to attack Bruce. Bruce panics and cries for Billy to help. Billy helps him. Bruce and Mark quickly take pictures of Nico and run away.

Billy decides he must take Nico away. He fears people will take Nico from him. He tells Carolyn to tell his mother where he has gone. Bruce manages to convince Cecil with the photos of Nico. Cecil immediately calls his team. Cecil also tells Joe, the owner of the diner where Billy's mother, Julie, works. Julie hears the story and goes home. Carolyn tells her where Billy has gone. Julie is worried about Billy's leg and his safety. She sets out after him on Carolyn's bike.

The local police also get involved. They are led by Julie's boyfriend, Deputy Pete. They are more focused on rescuing Julie and Billy from the dangerous mountain.

The Journey and Discovery

Julie soon catches up to Billy. Billy is taking off his leg cast. He wants to ride Nico without a saddle. This could be very risky for his leg. Billy asks his mother to give him a chance. He asks her to lead the police away from him. Julie eventually agrees. She goes back down the mountain. She meets with the police. They are ready to search the mountain on horseback. Julie tells them she knows where Billy is. She leads them in the wrong direction.

However, Carolyn does not know that Billy asked Julie to mislead them. Carolyn says she has never been to Big Rock, where Billy is going. Julie confesses to leading them the wrong way. The whole group turns around.

With his mother leading the others away, Billy finally reaches the top of Big Rock. He and Nico are stuck at the edge of a cliff. A news helicopter lands behind them to take pictures. Billy and Nico try to escape. But before they can, the police, Julie, and Carolyn arrive on their horses. Nico turns and runs toward the cliff. He jumps and flies over the gap. He lands on the other side.

On the other side is a dry, desert-like area. Nico takes Billy inside a cave. Billy gets off Nico. He finds drawings of unicorns on the cave walls. Then, a golden glowing light appears. It takes Nico and Billy to a beautiful, paradise-like land. Nico lives there. Billy's leg is healed, allowing him to walk and run normally again.

While drinking from the water there, Billy sees his mother's sad face in the reflection. He knows he has to go back. He says goodbye to Nico one last time. He goes back through the cave. His mother and everyone else are waiting for him on the desert terrain. They had flown over in the helicopter. Billy hugs his mother. Cecil, with a camera, asks him about the unicorn. Billy looks straight into the camera and says, "What unicorn? Everyone knows unicorns don't exist." This leaves Cecil without a story. Billy returns home with his healed leg and his mother.