Phoebe and Her Unicorn

By Dana Simpson

"Phoebe is a remarkably real little girl, as bright and imaginative as Bill Watterson's Calvin, as touchingly vulnerable as Charles Schulz's Charlie Brown...Simpson is that good, and that original." —Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn

It all started when a girl named Phoebe skipped a rock across a pond and accidentally hit a unicorn in the face. Improbably, this led to Phoebe being granted one wish, and she used it to make the unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, her obligational best friend. But can a vain mythical beast and a nine-year-old daydreamer really forge a connection? Indeed they can, and that's how Phoebe and Her Unicorn unfolds. Over time, Phoebe and Marigold acknowledge that they had been lonely before they met and come to truly appreciate the bond they now share. 


 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Release date: Sep 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781449460921

Dana Simpson

Dana Claire Simpson grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington, drawing the entire time. She eventually graduated from The Evergreen State College, despite having spent all her time drawing, and not always for credit. From 1998 to 2008, she drew the internet comic strip Ozy and Millie. After winning the Amazon-sponsored Comic Strip Superstar Contest in 2009, Andrews McMeel Syndication signed her to a development deal for Heavenly Nostrils, which was later renamed Phoebe and Her Unicorn. She currently lives in Santa Barbara, California, with her tech genius spouse and her fairly stupid cat.

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INTRODUCTION

I would dearly love to claim at least some connection to the origins of Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, the innocently arrogant unicorn who preens so charmingly through Dana Simpson’s delightful comic strip bearing her name. And perhaps I can. Scholarly articles have been written, after all, about the fact that prior to my 1968 novel The Last Unicorn there were no female unicorns to be found in any of the world’s varied mythologies. And in the early pages of that book I did write Unicorns are immortal. It is their nature to live alone in one place: usually a forest where there is a pool clear enough for them to see themselves—for they are a little vain, knowing themselves to be the most beautiful creatures in all the world, and magic besides . . .

A little vain . . . Marigold would be an appalling monster of ego, utterly self-concerned and completely unlikable, if it weren’t for her sense of humor and her occasional surprising capacity for compassion—both crucial attributes when bound by a wish granted to a nine-year-old girl in need of a Best Friend to play invented superhero games with, to introduce to slumber parties and girl-talk gossip and to ride through the wind after being called nerd and Princess Stupidbutt one time too many. For Phoebe is a remarkably real little girl, as bright and imaginative as Bill Watterson’s Calvin, as touchingly vulnerable as Charles Schulz’s Charlie Brown. And if these strike you as big names to conjure with, I’ll go further and state for the record that in my opinion Heavenly Nostrils is nothing less than the best comic strip to come along since Calvin and Hobbes. Simpson is that good, and that original.

Part of the charm of Heavenly Nostrils is the way in which Simpson plays her two characters’ opposed world views—immortal and contemporary— against each other, along with their egos: for Phoebe’s determination to be recognized as Awesome quite matches Marigold’s impregnable superiority to the entire human species. Consequently, both delight in sticking the needle in where

Reviews for Phoebe and Her Unicorn

[karenvg3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cute with subtle adult humor

[tiffy_reads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this cute graphic novel. Can't wait to get my hands on the next one. :)

[justreign · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A funny, adorable read. Marigold the unicorn is hilariously arrogant, and Phoebe is adorably precocious. They make the perfect friends!

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very cute, and funny, book about a girl and her unicorn! My 9 year old daughter loves them! And I like them because they remind me so much of my favorite comic strip - Calvin and Hobbes! AND, now my daughter is reading, and enjoying, C&H! Thanks P&U!

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

With a foreword by Peter S. Beagle comparing this to Charlie Brown and Calvin & Hobbes. I was pretty impressed. However the book failed to deliver. It's a comic strip compilation and though it's about a child, like the previously mentioned comics, the humour certainly appeals to the adult. While Phoebe and Marigold will appeal to children I doubt they will get all the nuances of that humour. Myself, I'm not into comic strips and it took me a while to "get into" this collection. I did think of not completing it around page 89 as I certainly had the feel for it by then but at that point I also had a slight fondness for the characters and continued on to the end. I found some of it cute, some of it made me crack a smirk and some of it did nothing for me at all.

[d-fbuser-384453887 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

it was good in like the unicorn was was was

[Em Elizabeth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gorgeous art with a quirky and adorable young girl starring, whose companion is a unicorn! Hilarious jokes and adorable layout! ?

[bookbrig-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

SUPER CUTE. And funny! I laughed at this quite a few times. It reminds me in all the best ways of Calvin and Hobbes but with a girl protagonist and also a unicorn. Loved it and highly recommend it.

[laytonwoman3rd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Been missing Calvin and Hobbes? Mount your trusty steed of choice and get yourself a copy of this one (and the next one or two while you're at it, 'cause...well....UNICORN!) Can't begin to describe the delightfulness of this concept. Phoebe is a rising fourth grader with all summer to skip stones, when one of her throws bops a unicorn on the snout, breaking the narcissistic spell that has kept it staring at its own reflection in the water. This odd rescue results in the granting of a wish -- just one, and no, Phoebe, it can't be "infinity wishes". But what could beat having a unicorn (Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, specifically) as your best friend? There are other great characters, too. Like Todd, the Candy Dragon and Max, Phoebe's spelling partner back at school. It's all sparkly and wry...just the break all us pointy-headed intellectuals (that's unicorn humor) need from time to time.

[snickel63 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great for kids that enjoy reading graphic novels. Similar to big Nate where the entire book doesn’t necessarily have the same storyline.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, I do love a narcissistic unicorn, as long as she is sufficiently sarcastic. And I appreciate that Pheobe's awkwardness does not seem to impact her self-esteem. Compares favorably with Calvin and Hobbes, and is a delightful way to pass the afternoon.

[readingover50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A cute graphic novel that all ages can enjoy. It was a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

[lycomayflower · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Though it is marketed as middle grade, this comics collection about a fourth-grader and her unicorn best friend would appeal far beyond the 8-12ers. It reminded me of both Calvin and Hobbes and Wallace the Brave but is fully its own thing too. Phoebe is a little bit of an outsider, so when she rescues a unicorn and is granted a wish, she wishes for the unicorn to be her best friend. And then adventures ensue, including run-ins with a mean-girl at school and summertime adventures. The humor stands out and I love Marigold Heavenly Nostrils and her commentary on human life. I'll be reading more. Recommended.

[dcoward_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Adorable. More books should feature narcissistic unicorns. I laughed out loud multiple times.

[shahnareads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is super freakin adorable.

I love me a good unicorn. This comic is so funny and cute. I lol’d many times. So glad I picked it up, I read a third of it by the time I got up to the register. There are seven volumes and I am so ready to take on this adventure.

AND Peter S. Beagle wrote the introduction, which is awesome. He is awesome.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfect for all ages - delightful, fun, and witty.

[Tiffany Braby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

they might me short but there really funny i love them and its really good for kids its perfect i love it so much i read them every day and never get bored

[Mark Stutzman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it! It is awesome ! I have always wanted an ?, so this book tells what it is sorta like having an ?

[mickyfine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When Phoebe throws a rock into a pond, she saves a unicorn from staring obsessively at her own reflection. Granted a wish in return, Phoebe decides to wish for her and the unicorn to be best friends. And so begins the adventures of Phoebe and her unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils.This book is just so darn wholesome! The comics are full of charm, delight, and humour as Phoebe goes through life as a fourth-grader whose best friend is a rather vain unicorn. The introduction by Peter S. Beagle (yes, THAT [[Peter S. Beagle]]) compares the comics to Calvin & Hobbes and Peanuts and I don't think he's wrong. While the target audience is children, I think these comics are just as enjoyable for readers of all ages. Highly recommended.

[pussreboots · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle by Dana Simpson is a graphic novel about a girl and her unicorn. If you've seen the 1982 film adaptation of The Last Unicorn, you'll see a similarity in the art style. As the author's introduction explains, this work is her homage to Peter S. Beagle.Phoebe is a modern day girl who goes to school and has homework and does chores. Now, she has a unicorn. The unicorn, meanwhile, is a vain, pampered, magical creature who has agreed to be this girl's best friend. The gags fall under two main categories: the unicorn trying to understand Phoebe's world, and Phoebe trying and failing to impress her friends. There's a lot sly social and gender commentary that I didn't expect, given the very pink cover and the rather goofy title. Then there are the completely off the wall moments where fantasy and reality meet in unexpected ways.

[billiebook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet, snarky and laugh-out-loud funny. Where is my unicorn? I want my unicorn now, please.

[brainannex · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure if a young reader picks up this book that they will enjoy it like an adult will. There's a lot of humor here, but I wonder who the audience is really supposed to be.