The Load of Unicorn
Front cover of first edition | |
| Author | Cynthia Harnett |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Cynthia Harnett |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical novel |
| Publisher | Methuen & Co. |
Publication date | 1959 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 239 pp (first edition) |
| OCLC | 752626144 |
| LC Class | PZ7.H228 Lo PZ7.H228 Cax |
The Load of Unicorn is a children's historical novel written and illustrated by Cynthia Harnett. It was first published in 1959, and then republished by Egmont Classics in 2001. It is set in London in 15th century, and concerns the adventures of an apprentice of William Caxton, the printer. The title refers to a load of paper with a unicorn watermark, ordered by Caxton from Flanders but never delivered.
G. P. Putnam's Sons published the first U.S. edition in 1960 as Caxton's Challenge. It has also been published as The Cargo of the Madalena.
Harnett and The Load of Unicorn were a commended runner up for the Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book by a British subject.