How to Rescue a Unicorn: The Quests of Tiny Wilde by Andy Tolson

How to Rescue a Unicorn by Andy Tolson is the second book in his middle-grade fantasy series, The Quests of Tiny Wilde, to be released by Nimbus Publishing on August 26, 2025.

“Piece of advice: When you’re a hero, you should avoid describing your life as “boring” and “uneventful”. The universe has a funny way of shifting the direction of your path when you least expect it.”- Tiny Wilde

How to Rescue a Unicorn begins out on the school playground, where our soon-to-be giant (still no growth spurt), 7th-grade hero, is being bullied and shaken down for his lunch. Tiny is famous for his awesome grilled cheese sandwiches. But today he doesn’t have a grilled cheese in his lunchbox; he is bringing the Immortal Octopus, Larry, to school for show and tell.

“Apparently I forgot one thing: A hero should anticipate danger.”- Tiny Wilde

During his involuntary vacation from school, Tiny is introduced to his new Math Tudor, Sadie, a non-mythic smart girl from his class, who may know more than he does about Mythics. Together, they witness his mentor’s pointy hat doing a jig before spitting out an old hard drive, a Chekhov whistle, and a large petrified onion ring. Sadie discovers that the hard drive contains pictures that Tiny’s mother took of frightened, caged unicorns with damaged horns. Pictures that were taken four years ago. Shortly after, they discover a unicorn that was found earlier that morning, and based on her poor condition, appears to have just recently escaped captivity.

A short time later, Tiny, Sadie, and half-mermaid Nalia find themselves on a quest to rescue the caged-up unicorns. But is it really a quest? According to Sadie, something doesn’t feel right, but what does she know? She is not a Mythic.

I just love this fantastical world that Andy Tolson has developed. A world of giants, dragons, gnomes, pixies, trolls, unicorns, and water mythics, all of which don’t exist anywhere else except for on their Island. A world with hero journeys, prophecies, and quests. A world where magic had disappeared for 4 years, but is slowly returning as the Immortal Octopus heals. There are even stages of a Hero’s Journey and rules for a “real” prophecy. Even though this book is the second in a series, it certainly can be read as a standalone.

I can’t wait for readers to be introduced to Bessie 2. A new and improved version of Bessie from book one, How to Kidnap a Mermaid. Attending a Dumpster Fest and buying a Dumpster Fest t-shirt that says ‘Live! Laugh! Dump!’ are now on my bucket list.

To add to Andy’s “Fun facts” from the book, here’s one from me: There is a map in the front of the book! I can’t wait to read How to Wrestle an Octopus, the next in the series, to see what mischief Tiny and his friends get into.

“Oh, I get it now, Tiny. This is why you quest. For this feeling of helping others.”– Sadie Brooks

Andy Tolson has been a boy magician, drummer, propmaker, photojournalist, and filmmaker. He lives in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, in a big old house with his family and two cats; named Olive and Ottoline. He is the author of the novel Noisemaker, published in 2022 by Moose House Publications. How to Kidnap a Mermaid was his debut middle-grade fantasy, and How to Rescue a Unicorn is its sequel.\ Book 3, How to Wrestle an Octopus, will be out in the fall of 2026. Visit his website: www.andytolson.com

Publisher: Nimbus Publishing (Aug 26, 2025)
Paperback 8″ x 5.25″ | 264 pages
ISBN: 9781774713792

Sue Slade

Sue Slade has a Bachelor of Child Study from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax. After working with children and adults with special needs, she now has her midlife dream job of working with books. Sue manages an independent, locally owned bookstore, Dartmouth Book Exchange. Through her charismatic sharing centred around books and community, Sue has created an engaging cornerstone for authors, customers, and book lovers of all ages. Sue is an avid reader and her reviews cross over many genres.