Now that The Unicorn Shore series is complete and all three books have been published, I would like to share my heart behind why I chose to write this series first.
I wanted to write a series that felt magical, yet timeless— an emotional journey where the heroine faces the same loneliness that, unfortunately, is too common in our world these days. Marigold wants a friend but doesn't know where to start. Her adventures in this magical realm help show her how to trust others, believe in herself, be courageous when afraid, and how to tell the difference between Light and Shadow Magic.
Designed to Grow With the Reader
As digital media and smart devices become embedded in the day-to-day lives of young children, they are reading less and are struggling with fluency, comprehension and attention span more than ever. With increased screen time and an over-reliance on AI, we are returning to an age of illiteracy nearly as fast as our technology advances.
My hope with this series was to write a wholesome, character-focused junior novel series with vivid, cinematic moments that would grow right along with its reader. Each book gets a little longer and a little deeper, giving young readers new challenges without ever feeling overwhelming. The return of beloved characters keeps them motivated and excited even as the stories gradually become longer and more complex.
Book 1 starts with a gentle, riddle-filled adventure, shorter chapters, and simple, comforting themes. It’s perfect for kids who are just starting to read mostly on their own and are easing away from heavily illustrated books.
Book 2 picks up the pace. The chapters are a bit longer, the emotional stakes run higher, and there’s more action, giving developing readers room to stretch and enjoy richer storytelling.
Book 3 is the biggest adventure of all, featuring strong character development, a more detailed plot, and the most cinematic imagery in the series. It allows young readers to explore slightly more complex twists while still staying completely age-appropriate.
This “grow-with-me” structure helps ensure each book meets your reader right where they are.
In Book 1, The Secret of the Shell, nine-year-old Marigold always believed Grandma Pearl's stories about magic hidden in the waves. But nothing could have prepared her for the moment she found a glowing seashell shaped like a unicorn's horn—and it whispered her name.
Swept away to the Unicorn Shore, a mysterious land where unicorns talk, waves carry secrets, and magic is everywhere, Marigold learns she's been chosen for an urgent mission.
A powerful enemy is rising from beneath the waves, and her storms are already draining the Unicorn Shore's magic. If she breaks free, the bond between both worlds will be destroyed forever—and only Marigold holds the key to stopping her.
With the help of her new unicorn friends—wise Coral, speedy Spark, and snack-obsessed Nibbles—Marigold must solve a riddle hidden in an ancient lighthouse to get the answers they need. Answers that will bring her face to face with her greatest fear.
Can she find the courage to face the darkness and save her friends before the Unicorn Shore vanishes forever?
In Book 2, Eclipse’s Secret, the shell calls Marigold back to the Unicorn Shore to help find Eclipse, who has vanished without a trace. All he left behind was a note and an enchanted map. With her unicorn friends, Marigold follows a trail of ancient symbols into an unknown part of the realm. There, they face the rising threat of Shadow Magic and uncover a secret buried for centuries—one that reveals who Eclipse truly is, and why an unknown enemy has tried so hard to keep it hidden. But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the shadows become.
Can they find Eclipse before it’s too late? And will he have the strength to face his past and embrace his true destiny?
In Book 3, The Ring of Mischief, Marigold fulfills her promise by bringing her little sister, Sophie, to celebrate Eclipse’s coronation. At the castle, everyone gathers to cheer the new king when a powerful tremor cracks open a hidden crystal cavern in the hills nearby. Marigold and the unicorns dash off to investigate, but Sophie is told to stay behind.
Determined to prove she's just as brave as her big sister, Sophie teams up with Rose, a daring young pegasus still learning to fly. Together they sneak off on their own adventure and discover a mysterious ring humming with strange energy.
Back at the castle, they hide the ring—unaware it holds Trickster Magic. Soon, mischievous Stardust Sprites burst free, turning the coronation celebrations into chaos with their pranks and mayhem.
Can Sophie and Rose capture the sprites and stop the Trickster Magic before it ruins Eclipse's coronation and plunges the entire realm into disaster?
What is a Junior Novel?
The Unicorn Shore books are a part of a junior novel series for readers aged 6–9. A Junior Novel is a bridge between illustrated early chapter books such as, The Magic Treehouse or Junie B. Jones, and text-only middle grade novels. Junior novels offer an ideal next step up from early chapter books while keeping the content of the story age appropriate.
They are mostly text-based stories that feature small black-and-white, pencil-drawn chapter header illustrations only. This creates a gentle visual anchor that complements the story while keeping the focus on supporting advancing readers as they prepare to transition to text-only novels.
Junior Novels challenge young readers with richer vocabulary, longer sentences, longer chapters, and more complex narratives, helping to develop their reading skills and attention span.
If your young reader still relies heavily on illustrations for context and pacing, this would be an excellent book to read aloud together.
For more information on Junior Novels please check out the following blogs:
1. https://ledudleybooks.com/blog/the-junior-novel-why-i-love-writing-junior-novelsif-you-re-not-quite-
2. surehttps://ledudleybooks.com/blog/raising-readers-why-i-wrote-the-unicorn-shore-and-why-quality-
3. earlyhttps://ledudleybooks.com/blog/raising-readers-how-early-chapter-books-with-fewer-pictures-help-
4. buildhttps://ledudleybooks.com/blog/raising-readers-understanding-the-categories-of-children-s-books-choosing