Update on The First Unicorn

January of a brand-new year is about to end, and while I have been dabbling in a little bit of everything, including publishing an inspirational turtle book, writing a tween adventure series and following a diet, I discovered I have neglected my blog and the happenings of this writer’s world. So here’s an update on The First Unicorn:

In the past few months my children’s book, “The First Unicorn” won the Chrysalis Brew Award for the Inspirational Book of the Year. A fabulous interview was published in the Worlds Best Magazine. I received the Uplifting Lit Award. Became a finalist with the Readers’ Choice Book Awards. I just finished penning an interview with the Difference Maker Blog. Received the Pencraft Best Book Award, a Gold Literary Titan Award and an Honorable Mention with the Royal Dragonfly awards.

The First Unicorn Awards & Recognitions

There was also a Five star Readers Favorite Book Review, a great Kids Picture Book Review, and a Write2Ingnite Book Review that was wonderful to read.

I await the Difference Maker’s Interview I completed just recently, along with a long anticipated video interview I had last fall with Sarah Diop of the Book Interrupted Team due out in late March, which I will proudly share on all social media channels including my Facebook page (be sure to click follow if you haven’t already.)

The First Unicorn Articles & Interviews

I figured with all that I had done to bring my book baby into the world, raise it up and then let it out on its own – all that was left was self-promotion in this years fairs and festivals. Yet that was when I stumbled upon a fabulous five star Book Review on Goodreads that literally BLEW ME AWAY! I know that it is long, but what this person wrote spoke more life into my book than I ever knew was there. I hope you appreciate the review as much as I did. And to whomever wrote it – THANK YOU! – You get me.

Here is a link to it on Goodreads, but you can read it in its entirety below:

At a glance, The First Unicorn may appear to be a charming children’s story with spiritual undertones, but it’s much more—a mosaic of morality, a critique of modern fads, and a reimagining of divine gifts. This book is a blend of lessons in kindness, courage, and faith woven through the life of Aden, the colt who became the first unicorn. Let us explore its unconventional brilliance.

An Ancient Myth with a Contemporary Soul
Unicorns have always been mythical, but Shields flips the narrative. Instead of depicting them as otherworldly, she grounds their origin in a biblical framework. Aden’s journey echoes the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, who said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Shields’ unicorns are not fantastical distractions; they are moral beacons, much like knights in medieval romances, reminding us of divine possibilities in a broken world.

This reinvention of the unicorn is a quiet jab at how the modern world commercializes them as frivolous symbols—rainbows and glitter. Shields brings back their gravitas, insisting they stand for something deeper: miracles, morality, and the sacred.

The Economics of Giving
Aden’s character champions altruism, not transactional kindness. There’s no quid pro quo in his deeds. This contrasts starkly with today’s data on volunteerism, which shows that acts of charity often come with expectations of social recognition or career benefits. A 2019 study revealed that 40% of volunteers cited “improving their resumés” as a motive. Aden’s narrative stands in rebellion against this, asserting that true kindness is its own reward.

Consider his horn—gifted by God not as a badge of honor but as a tool to serve others. This echoes the biblical verse, “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). It’s as if Shields asks, “How would the world look if people used their gifts solely for others?”

Rethinking Rejection and Redemption
The herd’s reaction to Aden—fear and ostracism—is painfully familiar to anyone who has ever felt out of place. Shields seems to channel J.K. Rowling’s “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Aden chooses to persist, using his horn for healing and unity even after rejection.

This lesson is particularly poignant in our polarized world. The story’s turning point—when Aden uses his horn to save his mother—challenges readers to consider: What are we doing with the gifts we’ve been given?

Nature as a Teacher
Shields cleverly weaves ecological wisdom into Aden’s adventures. His admiration for teamwork among bees and his act of gathering fruit for a hedgehog subtly remind readers of interconnectedness. Shields’ vision aligns with what naturalists like John Muir have argued for centuries: “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

An Evangelical Allegory
Some might balk at Shields’ overt Christian messaging, but it’s impossible to miss the parallels between Aden’s horn and Christ’s miracles. Just as Jesus performed acts that defied logic, Aden’s horn turns despair into hope. The book is less about proselytizing and more about urging readers to reflect on their relationship with faith and morality. Is faith a passive belief, or is it an active practice of kindness?

Why This Story Matters
In a culture saturated with cynicism, where even children’s stories often rely on sarcasm or shallow humor, The First Unicorn feels radical. It reclaims sincerity and offers readers—children and adults—a chance to reflect on the possibility of transformation.

Final Thoughts
The First Unicorn is not just a tale for children; it’s a call to adults to reconsider their values. Shields writes with the conviction of someone who believes that stories can change hearts. To dismiss this book as mere fantasy would be to miss its deeper question: What would the world look like if we all lived like Aden—kind, courageous, and guided by faith?

Would you, dear reader, be ready to earn your horn?

Are you ready to earn your horn?

About the book: The First Unicorn