Mariano Epelbaum is a character designer, illustrator and traditional 2D animator. He has been working professionally since 1996 in various disciplines of animation and illustration, where character designs tend to be very expressive and original. Currently, Mariano works as an art director on several projects. He is always trying different styles and techniques.
An aspirational unicorn finds community. Milly is overjoyed when
she receives her acceptance letter for Unicorn School, which
teaches "only the best and the brightest unicorns." She's actually
"a donkey in a party hat," but Milly can't be blamed for sending "a
misleading picture" with her application--the school is a
cotton-candy-colored fever dream of rainbows and fountains. On her
first day she bumps into a black-and-white bovine with a traffic
cone on his head, a goat with a plunger on her forehead, and a
camel balancing a glass bottle on its noggin, and all the animals
seem equally anxious. Finally every other student admits that none
of them are unicorns, either, and in the last jubilant
illustration, they've all shed their costumes and are proudly posed
under a sign announcing "The Awesome Animal School." This story
raises pressing questions: Are there real unicorns at the school?
What did the administration do when they discovered that their
entire incoming class was made up of nonunicorn quadrupeds? Did the
curriculum change? But this is an excellent choice for any kid
worried about fitting in in a new environment or for a reader
looking for a humorous take on unicorns. Entertaining and cheerful
despite many unanswered questions. (Picture book. 4-7)-- "Kirkus
Reviews"
Funny and affirming, Milly's mis-adventures in Unicorn School will
inspire young readers to make room for everyone and to always
believe in their own unique selves. Jess Hernandez and Mariano
Epelbaum have created a magical story for the first day of school
or any time of year!-- "Megan and Jorge Lacera, author and
illustrator of Zombies Don't Eat Veggies!"
The First Day of Unicorn School is a bright and funny read-aloud
delight.-- "Julie Falatko"
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