Glitter, Giggles and a Room Full of Chaos: A Q&A with Dorothy Dowling, Author of 12 Unicorns in My Bedroom

12 Unicorns in My Bedroom by Dorothy Dowling is a whirlwind of colour, giggles and glitter-fuelled mayhem. When young Livvy wakes up to discover a dozen flatulent unicorns in her bedroom, she’s faced with a messy magical emergency: how do you clean up a unicorn disaster before school starts?

Packed with playful rhyme, cheeky charm and a sprinkle of magical mischief, this picture book is an unfiltered celebration of childhood imagination and the pure silliness that kids love most. We caught up with Dorothy to find out what inspired her unicorn invasion, and how she brings such sparkling chaos to life on the page.

This story is full of mischief and glitter. What first sparked the idea for Livvy and her 12 unicorn visitors?

My incredible, vivacious niece Livvy! Her sheer enthusiasm, funny expressions and boundless imagination have always inspired me. There’s such wonder in that age from three to seven; kids are so impressionable, such little copycats full of silliness, and they laugh so easily. Livvy, my son Alex and their cousin Jordan were the perfect example of that: fun, funny and endlessly silly.

Farts were their ultimate comedy trigger. If a kid farted, the laughter would go on forever. If an adult farted, though, that was comedy gold, and they’d race off to broadcast it to everyone. They were sometimes so relentless with fart jokes we actually had to ban them just to restore order! My sister-in-law Lara suggested the story should end with the mum farting, and honestly, that was non-negotiable. It had to stay.

There’s such a joyful rhythm to the story. Did you always know it would be told in rhyme?

Absolutely. Rhyme just seems to fall out of me; it’s playful, musical and captures that zany, unstoppable energy of childhood. Once I started writing in rhyme, there was no turning back. I also love the way rhyme benefits children. It helps with memory, language development and rhythm. Plus, rhyme invites kids to join in, predict what comes next, recall and really feel part of the story. And let’s be honest, rhyme makes fart jokes even funnier.

Unicorns are usually graceful and serene. Why did you decide to give yours such chaotic personalities?

Because kids aren’t serene; they’re wild, unpredictable, different, and hilarious. I wanted unicorns that reflected that real-world chaos. I also wanted them to be as diverse as kids themselves, so every child could find a unicorn they relate to. Calm unicorns were never on the table. For this very silly, very unpredictable rendition of a very silly morning, chaos was non-negotiable, because silliness is always a little bit messy.

Livvy’s morning turns into total madness. Were you inspired by real-life school run chaos or imagination run wild?

Both! Anyone who has ever tried to get kids out the door in the morning knows the madness. I just sprinkled in unicorns, glitter, and a bit of extra disaster. At its heart, though, it’s about embracing the chaos where Mum can laugh at it too, laugh at herself and not sweat the small stuff.

Kids will love the unicorn farts and wild dancing - is humour something that comes naturally to your writing?

Yes, humour is my favourite tool. Children’s books should make kids laugh out loud, but I also love when parents crack a smile reading them too. It keeps story time joyful for everyone. In many of my books, laughter is non-negotiable. I also love how easy it is to make kids laugh and how good laughing is for them (and us!). It’s not just fun, it’s bonding. Being silly together, sharing jokes and collapsing in giggles is one of the best ways to connect and have a joyful day.

How did you come up with each unicorn’s unique moment? Were there any you laughed at the most while writing?

Each unicorn is a mash-up of children I’ve known: bossy, dramatic, silly, clumsy, and full of personality. They remind me of how kids can create a disaster in seconds flat. Honestly, every unicorn moment made me laugh while writing and has made my girlfriends laugh too, especially after a few wines.

12 Unicorns in My Bedroom Dorothy Dowling

The illustrations are bright, bold and packed with personality. What was it like seeing Réka Kádár bring your vision to life?

Magic. Réka is insanely talented. I had a very clear (and slightly demanding!) vision of what I wanted, and she worked so hard to nail it. She didn’t just draw unicorns, she gave them life, and their personalities are reflected so well. The way she captured the chaos still makes me smile, and her use of colour has such flair.

You work as a nurse and midwife in remote Australia. What role does writing play in your everyday life?

Writing is my creative outlet; it relaxes me and feels therapeutic. Nursing and midwifery can be heavy, so writing lets me escape into fun, joy, and silliness. I love creating stories. Writing sparks reflection, imagination and connection. Humans are endlessly fascinating, and cultures everywhere love stories for the wisdom, humour and memory they carry. When I write, I feel like I’m creating something that lasts, because stories outlive the moment and can be shared again and again.

When you're not wrangling unicorns (or patients!), what’s something that brings you joy or helps you recharge?

Gardening and creating. My husband and I are turning a few acres into our dream barnyard: a henhouse, gardens, pet sheep, a little bridge and soon a puppy. I grew up on a farm, and that nostalgia for mud, animals and open spaces fuels both my soul and my stories.

Where can readers follow your writing journey and stay up to date with future magical chaos?

Through Magic Moon, or on my website: dorothydowling.com.