Kevin the Unicorn: It's Not All Rainbows by Jessika von Innerebner (review)

Like all unicorns, Kevin is a strong believer in the power of positive energy, so, despite waking up on the floor and starting the day with an unfortunately untamable mane, he sets off with a smile and a mantra to "keep it happy." But then his car breaks down. And the line at the Soda Shack is reaaaallly long. And when he's finally served, there's only clam juice left. And then said clam juice is spilled all over him. And then a walk through the city park sees him chased by birds and dogs, covered in syrup and cupcake frosting, and finally reaching his wits' end: "This is a really horrible, lousy, awful day!" As it turns out, though, some other unicorns are faking their happy times as well, and a communal sharing of woes leads to an encouraging sense of relief. The slick digital illustrations are appropriately rife with endlessly smiling suns and rainbows, in a candy-colored palette that has become the hallmark of pop culture's unicorn obsession. It's Kevin's increasingly manic expression that provides the true humor here, as he tries to endure one humiliation after another with a strained grin. Viewers may spot a few other unicorns having their own bad day (neither glitter in the eye nor horn-speared donuts can be willed away with cheerfulness), and anyone who has been told to smile despite the circumstances will find comfort in the fact that perpetual positivity is unrealistic, even for an awesomely magical mythical creature.