The Pointy Horse: A Unicorn Fractured Fairy Tale
Sometimes, sticking out is exactly the point.Spearmint the Brumby doesn’t fit in. He’s the wrong colour for the bush, and his strange, sharp horn is always getting in the way. He wishes he could be sleek and "normal" like the rest of the mob, but the wild High Country has other plans.
When the Great Dry strikes the mountains, the herd finds themselves in trouble. It turns out that being "normal" can't save them—but being a bit "pointy" just might.
The Pointy Horse is a hilarious and heartwarming Australian retelling of The Ugly Duckling. A tale about identity, friendship, and the magic of realising that we are all just creatures with different accessories, perfect for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't quite fit the herd.
Tropes You'll Love
- Fractured Fairytale
- Unicorns
- The "Ugly Duckling" Transformation
- The Unlikely Mentor
- The Found Family
- The "Secret Power" Reveal
- True Blue Aussie Grit
- The Big-Hearted Protagonist
Behind the Story
The idea for The Pointy Horse actually started at the local markets. Week after week, I’d have kids come up to my stall asking for two things: "Do you have any horse books?" and "Do you have any unicorn books?"
I’ve always loved the charm of fractured fairy tales—taking a story we all know and giving it a fresh, unexpected twist. I started thinking: What if a unicorn didn't know he was a unicorn? What if he was just a very 'pointy' horse trying to survive in the Australian bush?
I wanted to take the heart of The Ugly Duckling and drop it right into the middle of the Snowy Mountains. Spearmint is for every kid who has ever felt like they stood out for the wrong reasons. It’s a celebration of our "unwanted souvenirs" and a reminder that being a bit different isn't just okay—sometimes, it’s exactly the point.
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Buy BookAbout the Author
Renee Conoulty is an Australian author based in Gippsland, Victoria, writing books with humour and heart for all ages. As a regular at local markets, she finds inspiration from the people she meets and the questions of young readers.
Title: The Pointy Horse
Author: Renee Conoulty
Release Date: February 2026
Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Fractured Fairy Tale / Australian Fiction
Themes: Self-acceptance, Identity, Australian Outback Animals, Wild Horses, Unicorns
Setting: Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Target Age: 4–8 years (Preschool to Primary School)
Format: Paperback & eBook
Availability: Available in Paperback and eBook via Amazon, Kobo, and major retailers.
Summary for Search: A humorous Australian retelling of The Ugly Duckling. Spearmint the Brumby discovers that his "pointy problem" is actually his greatest strength. Features a platypus mentor.