Unicorn School facts for kids

Unicorn School is a fun series of chapter books written by Linda Chapman and published by Puffin between 2007 and 2009. These books tell stories about a special boarding school for unicorns in a magical land called Arcadia.

In Arcadia, young unicorns start school when they are nine years old. When they finish school at 15, the best students get to become the Guardians of Arcadia. These Guardians help protect their land. The stories in the series are mostly about a unicorn named Willow. All the books so far happen during her first year at Unicorn School.

Books in the Series

There are six exciting books in the Unicorn School series:

• First-Class Friends
• The Surprise Party
• The Treasure Hunt
• The School Play
• The Pet Show
• Team Magic

Meet the Main Characters

Willow

Willow is a first-year unicorn and the main character of the series. She belongs to Rainbow House, one of the four houses at the school. Willow is smaller than other unicorns her age. This sometimes leads to teasing from her older brothers and classmates.

Even so, Willow is one of the best students at Unicorn School. She is very energetic and friendly. At first, she missed her home, but she quickly made friends. Willow loves helping her best friends: Storm, Sapphire, and Troy. In book 5, we learn she has a tiny hummingbird pet named Whizzy, whom she loves very much.

Willow wants to be a Guardian of Arcadia someday. She is always ready to help any creature in need. In book 3, during a treasure hunt, Willow found a hurt dragon. Her friend Troy wanted to leave the dragon, but Willow and her friends decided to help it. The dragon had lost its "puff," which meant it couldn't breathe fire!

Even though Willow is helpful, she can get upset easily. For example, in book 4, Willow and Sapphire both tried out for the main part in the Sleeping Beauty play. Sapphire got the main role, and Willow got the part of the Wicked Witch. Willow didn't realize how much fun her part would be until the show started!

Sapphire

Sapphire is another first-year unicorn in Rainbow House. She is one of the first unicorns Willow meets at school. Sapphire is quite shy but also very friendly. She often tries to do things that make her friends happy, even if she feels a bit uncomfortable.

Sapphire also misses her family a lot. She has six brothers and sisters, two older and four younger. She never mentions their names, but she misses them. Sapphire has a very long mane and tail. Many unicorns at the school think she is one of the prettiest. In book 4, Sapphire was chosen to play the main role in the Sleeping Beauty school play.

Storm

Storm is a first-year unicorn in Rainbow House. He is also one of Willow's first friends. Storm is very big for his age. When Willow first saw him, she thought he was a third-year student! He is very strong, but his size made flying difficult for him at first. Luckily, he got much better at flying by the end of the first book, First-Class Friends.

Storm can be a bit trusting. He even accepted a "cursed" horseshoe from Oriel, hoping it would help him fly better. We learn that Storm is an only child. He finds it hard to imagine having six siblings like Sapphire! Storm seems to be especially close to Willow.

Troy

Troy is a first-year unicorn in Rainbow House and another one of Willow's first friends. He tries hard to act like a normal student. However, in The Surprise Party, it is revealed that Troy is actually the prince of Arcadia! This news quickly spreads around the school.

Troy can be a bit of a sore loser. He tries very hard to win school competitions. If he loses, he often complains. Troy is an amazing flyer. He practiced a lot at home. He loves to brag about his flying skills. He is the only first-year student who competes in the flying races. In book 5, we find out he has a black mountain panther as a pet. Even with his faults, Troy is a loyal friend to Willow, Sapphire, and Storm.

Other Important Characters

Oriel

Oriel is a third-year unicorn in Rainbow House. At first, he is described as a bully. He often picked on Willow and Storm because of their sizes. However, his attitude changes by the end of First-Class Friends. He even apologizes to Atlas (the flying teacher) for giving Storm a "cursed" horseshoe, which he had claimed was "charmed."

The Tricorn

The Tricorn is the head of Unicorn School. He is easy to spot because his horn has three colors: gold, silver, and bronze. Most unicorns only have one color in their horn. The Tricorn decides which house new first-year students will join. He also announces all the important school events.

Atlas

Atlas is the head of Rainbow House. He is also the flying teacher for the first-year students. Atlas is very strict, especially about students being on time for their lessons. But overall, he is a fair teacher.