Friday, September 11, 2026
Sugarlump and the Unicorn

Sugarlump and the Unicorn

by Mark Warner
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Buy This Book * More books by Julia Donaldson

When Sugarlump the rocking horse longs to see the world, a magical unicorn with a silver horn and sparkling blue eyes grants his wish and turns him into a real horse. But after trotting around the farm, galloping around a racetrack and even dancing at the circus, Sugarlump learns to be careful what he wishes for. Luckily, the unicorn has one more wish to grant…

English:

  • Make a list of the rhyming words in the book.
  • Retell the story from Sugarlump’s point of view.
  • Write a diary entry for Sugarlump based on his time at one of his new homes (e.g. the farm, the racecourse, the circus).
  • Think of words and phrases to describe the places Sugarlump visits. Use these to write a sentence or paragraph about each one.
  • Sequence the different parts of the story and retell it using time connectives.
  • Think of some speech / thought bubbles to add to the illustrations.
  • Create a poster to advertise the circus.
  • Write character descriptions of Sugarlump and the unicorn.
  • Write a poem about horses or unicorns.
  • Create a new set of pages for the book in which Sugarlump visits a brand-new place.
  • Could you write a new story about Sugarlump? What other adventures might he have? You could also write a new story in which the unicorn grants wishes to a different character.
  • Can you think of other stories where a character has dreams that are granted by a magical creature? Could you write one of your own?

Maths:

  • Conduct a survey to find out the favourite animals of the children in your class.

Science:

  • Research the topic of horses. Where do they live? What do they eat? What special adaptations do they have?

Computing:

  • Use publishing software to advertise a new horse race featuring Sugarlump.
  • Use drawing tools to make some illustrations of Sugarlump and the unicorn.
  • Design a simple game in which Sugarlump has to collect and pull a cart around a field or run along a race course.
  • Record your own ‘read aloud’ version of this story. Here is an example for inspiration:

Design Technology:

  • Make a model of a rocking horse.
  • Use mechanisms to make a rocking horse move backwards and forwards.
  • Choose one of the pages in this story and create a ‘pop-up’ version of it.
  • Make puppets of Sugarlump and the unicorn and use them to retell the story.
  • Could you make a model of a merry-go-round?

Art:

  • This book has glitter on every page! Can you make your own glittery picture?
  • Make a collage to recreate one of the illustrations.
  • Make a comic strip that retells the main events of the story.
  • Draw your own pictures of Sugarlump. Could you give him different colours, patterns or textures?
  • Look at photos of horses and use them as inspiration for your own drawings or paintings?

Music:

  • Make a melody to accompany the unicorn’s spinning and wish-granting.

Geography:

  • Make a map that shows the main locations in the story.

History:

  • Investigate how horses have helped people throughout history.
  • Research the history of toys, including rocking horses.

Physical Education:

  • Create movement sequences inspired by galloping, trotting and prancing.

Religious Education:

  • Explore stories from different faiths that involve wishes, hope or transformation.

PSHE:

  • What hopes and dreams do you have about the future? What can you do now to work towards your goals?
  • Reflect on gratitude and being grateful for what we have.
  • Think about kindness and how the unicorn helps others.

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