The Shadowed Unicorn

A parent should reach for this book when their child is navigating the quiet, heavy fog of grief following the loss of a parent or loved one. It is a particularly vital resource if you notice one child in the family retreating into a fantasy world or behaving in ways that feel distant and unreachable to their siblings. The story follows Darcy as she tries to bridge the widening gap between herself and her brother, Ami, who has become obsessed with finding a mythical unicorn in the woods behind their new home. It explores themes of shared loss, the different ways children process pain, and the power of imagination as a bridge to healing. Written for the 9 to 13 age range, it provides a gentle but honest look at how families can feel fractured by death and how they might begin to knit themselves back together through empathy and shared mystery.