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Phoebe and Her Unicorn #18
Unicorn for a Day
A dazzling new collection of Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics by New York Times bestselling author Dana Simpson.
Being best friends with a unicorn is truly incredible, as 10-year-old Phoebe Howell knows from experience. But what would it be like to actually trade places with a magical unicorn for a day? As it turns out, it’s much harder than it looks! Phoebe’s botched muffin spell turns the sky plaid. And things aren’t any easier for Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, who has no idea how to hold a pencil. In this new collection of Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics, the friends also meet a three-eyed flying creature named Glorpie and encounter an enigmatic ghost. With magic, discoveries, and even a bit of drama, there’s never a dull moment in Unicorn for a Day .
Being best friends with a unicorn is truly incredible, as 10-year-old Phoebe Howell knows from experience. But what would it be like to actually trade places with a magical unicorn for a day? As it turns out, it’s much harder than it looks! Phoebe’s botched muffin spell turns the sky plaid. And things aren’t any easier for Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, who has no idea how to hold a pencil. In this new collection of Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics, the friends also meet a three-eyed flying creature named Glorpie and encounter an enigmatic ghost. With magic, discoveries, and even a bit of drama, there’s never a dull moment in Unicorn for a Day .
176 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2023
101 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Dana Simpson
61 books336 followersDana 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.
Attempts at doing real work along the way are hardly worth mentioning; the relevant fact is that, from 1998 to 2008, she drew the internet comic strip Ozy and Millie. After winning the Amazon-sponsored Comic Strip Superstar Contest in 2009, Universal Uclick signed her to a development deal for Heavenly Nostrils.
She currently lives in the Seattle area with her tech genius husband and her fairly stupid cat.
Attempts at doing real work along the way are hardly worth mentioning; the relevant fact is that, from 1998 to 2008, she drew the internet comic strip Ozy and Millie. After winning the Amazon-sponsored Comic Strip Superstar Contest in 2009, Universal Uclick signed her to a development deal for Heavenly Nostrils.
She currently lives in the Seattle area with her tech genius husband and her fairly stupid cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 25, 2023
Listen. If Dana Simpson writes it, I’m gonna read it. Phoebe and Her Unicorn has been a favorite of mine for years (since I was closer in age to the target audience!), and what I have always appreciated about Simpson’s work is her ability to treat the anxieties and joys of kids with as much weight as adult emotions. She really knows how to respect the agency of kids while still making them, y’know, kids.
That said, this wasn’t a new favorite volume for me because a lot of the arcs felt a bit cut short and prematurely resolved. I know absolutely nothing about comic syndication, so maybe Simpson has no choice in that sort of thing, but I’ve definitely preferred previous volumes that give us longer, more in-depth stories.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! (yep, I’m still working on those Netgalley stats…)
That said, this wasn’t a new favorite volume for me because a lot of the arcs felt a bit cut short and prematurely resolved. I know absolutely nothing about comic syndication, so maybe Simpson has no choice in that sort of thing, but I’ve definitely preferred previous volumes that give us longer, more in-depth stories.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! (yep, I’m still working on those Netgalley stats…)
October 8, 2023
My daughter loves Phoebe and her Unicorn. We read every night together and she always wants a Phoebe book. She's 9 now. These are great to read together and can start great conversations.
*glorp*
*glorp*
May 26, 2024
More Phoebe, and all our friends are here, albeit briefly. Max, Lord Splendid Humility, Dakota, Todd. This is the stuff. The arcs could have been longer, especially the body swap situation, but this was heckin' enjoyable.
November 2, 2023
A new Phoebe and Her Unicorn book is pure joy, always. I loved reading this one and felt better for doing it!
August 25, 2023
Another graphic novel for Phoebe and her unicorn Marigold from Dana Simpson. This is the 18th in the series that continues to be very popular in my elementary school library. These are fun, silly, whimsical, comic strip style stories. And no one ever really learns a lesson from their actions. I love that the author stretches word vocabulary and gives a highlights a glossary at the back. This will end up on my library shelf. Geared toward elementary school readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the temporary ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
July 24, 2025
Toda a gente sabe que a pureza adora ser a pureza e a Bia adora ser a Bia, mas neste livro, a pureza irá trocar o corpo com ela por um dia. Nunca se sabe se será a melhor ideia, mas é sempre melhor tentar!
A nossa imaginação não tem limite!
A nossa imaginação não tem limite!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2023
This is a super cute graphic novel about the friendship between 10 year old Phoebe and her unicorn bestie Marigold. I absolutely LOVE the art work and style of this graphic novel. I love how the unicorns are drawn. There's even goblins and dragons! Life advise is given out by both the humans and the unicorns (the best part for me is when the parents and Phoebe have a conversation about rewatching TV shows from your youth and how sometimes they don't age well. It made me laugh).
The title alludes to the main event when Marigold casts a spell and switches forms with Phoebe for a little bit... shenanigans ensue. Both agree that it's better to be in their own skin in the end.
If you need a little spark and a little cheer in your life, pick up this graphic novel. It will make you smile and brighten your day!
The title alludes to the main event when Marigold casts a spell and switches forms with Phoebe for a little bit... shenanigans ensue. Both agree that it's better to be in their own skin in the end.
If you need a little spark and a little cheer in your life, pick up this graphic novel. It will make you smile and brighten your day!
August 21, 2023
I generally enjoy these because I have been a fan of the artist for quite a while.
Some notes on this particular volume:
I thought the Unicorn for a day/Freaky Friday concept was a fun idea, but it wasn't given much justice. Nothing monumental happened, nobody really learned anything from the experience, and there were no lasting consequences. I feel like we're currently missing any true ongoing Arcs now that Dakota has been tamed. I hope the introduction of the new girl might change this, as long as she doesn't just become Dakota 2.0.
Also, what's the deal with Phoebe's freckles? She has more every volume. Someone commented over my shoulder that she looks like she has 5 o'clock shadow.
I still ❤️ Marigold and Phoebe.
Some notes on this particular volume:
I thought the Unicorn for a day/Freaky Friday concept was a fun idea, but it wasn't given much justice. Nothing monumental happened, nobody really learned anything from the experience, and there were no lasting consequences. I feel like we're currently missing any true ongoing Arcs now that Dakota has been tamed. I hope the introduction of the new girl might change this, as long as she doesn't just become Dakota 2.0.
Also, what's the deal with Phoebe's freckles? She has more every volume. Someone commented over my shoulder that she looks like she has 5 o'clock shadow.
I still ❤️ Marigold and Phoebe.
July 28, 2023
9yo Phoebe and her unicorn friend Marigold Heavenly Nostrils are back in another fun filled volume of sparkles and magic. This time sprinkled with a smidge of existential dread that is missing from previous books. Among the story arcs, we see Phoebe and Marigold switch places the a day, we explore themes of maturity and growing up and compassion. But it's not all seriousness - Unicorn For A Day is still filled with the wit and sparkle we have come to know and love in the Unicorn books.
Dana Simpson's Unicorn books are on my "buy on sight" list, because they are a lot of fun
~ Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~
Dana Simpson's Unicorn books are on my "buy on sight" list, because they are a lot of fun
~ Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~
August 5, 2023
I fervently wish the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series had been around when I was a child. Although I know I would have been a dedicated, ardent reader, there is nothing stopping me from loving the heck out of these books as an almost-forty-year-old woman. Eighteen books in and I am still loving them. Truly delightful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in advance of the release.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in advance of the release.
December 2, 2024
Another cute installment! This one focuses on being uniquely you. We all need this reminder now and then. And we’re never too old for middle grade graphic novels/collections.
November 1, 2023
I still love this series, but this volume wasn't my favorite. There wasn't an ongoing storyline that lasted long enough- including the cover story where Phoebe and Marigold switch places. Definitely more could have been done with that.
November 5, 2023
“Unicorn For a Day” by Dana Simpson is a fun graphic novel about an ordinary girl named Phoebe and her unicorn bestie. I read this with my ten-year-old daughter, who enjoys these books. We laughed the whole way through. It reads like a collection of comics, with some longer story arcs playing out over multiple pages. The main story arc revolves around Phoebe and Marigold switching places, a la Freaky Friday. While some of the dry wit, references, and themes may go over the heads of younger readers, it is still fun to read. I appreciate the glossary in the back to help young readers learn new vocabulary. This series reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes and is something I would have read when I was younger. According to my daughter, this is the best one yet! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.
February 27, 2024
I read these, liking to believe I'm Phoebe. Dry, sarcastic, a little zany, best friends with a narcissistic but loving unicorn.
No. No, I'm definitely Marigold.
No. No, I'm definitely Marigold.
Read
November 11, 2025The book starts about a 10 year old girl named Phoebe Howell that then she becomes best friends with a magical unicorn named Marigold Heavenly, Phoebe finds out that marigold doesn't have anywhere to stay but also doesn't have a family of her own so then Phoebe decides to share her life/ places with Marigold.
My summary about this book is that Phoebe and her magical unicorn best friend named Marigold have to go through many funny and difficult situations together, have a friendship and learn about each other more and stay as good best of friends as the days go by. Then one day Phoebe and Marigold decided to switch places for a day, by Phoebe becoming a unicorn and Marigold lives as a human which at first it seemed pretty exciting to them but then they started to notice more that their life is way harder than they expected it to be. So now through the experience they put themselves through they switched back to their regular selves and now they learn about their friendship/ understanding themselves as best friends which their journey to this story is fun and interesting.
My analysis about this book is that it talks about a lot of friendship between Phoebe and the magical unicorn marigold and understanding others in the story, which Phoebe and Marigold learn to see their lives from each other's perspective in this story when they switch places for a day. But also this story seems very funny to me and creative to me because of all the silly/ crazy situations Phoebe and Marigold have got into each other like for explain when Phoebe became a unicorn for a day and Marigold becoming a human for a day which was one funny part of the story that I liked the most and for being creative I will say its that because it shows many different ways of real life stuff/ showing things in a way you don’t really see them at all but also the adventures in the story. This story also teaches me to be yourself and to care for people but also maybe try new things.
In conclusion, Unicorn for a day by Dana Simpson is a really fun and interesting book that shows how Phoebe and Marigold deal with many silly/ crazy situations and unexpected problems that were happening in the book so far. And what makes it so funny is the way Phoebe and Marigold react to their lives and situation with each other but also the imaginations in the book like for example the images I am seeing and also the conversations Phoebe and Marigold are having so far. I would recommend this book to others that want to read a funny book and a playful book and I might recommend this book to kids in 6, 7, or even 8th graders.
My summary about this book is that Phoebe and her magical unicorn best friend named Marigold have to go through many funny and difficult situations together, have a friendship and learn about each other more and stay as good best of friends as the days go by. Then one day Phoebe and Marigold decided to switch places for a day, by Phoebe becoming a unicorn and Marigold lives as a human which at first it seemed pretty exciting to them but then they started to notice more that their life is way harder than they expected it to be. So now through the experience they put themselves through they switched back to their regular selves and now they learn about their friendship/ understanding themselves as best friends which their journey to this story is fun and interesting.
My analysis about this book is that it talks about a lot of friendship between Phoebe and the magical unicorn marigold and understanding others in the story, which Phoebe and Marigold learn to see their lives from each other's perspective in this story when they switch places for a day. But also this story seems very funny to me and creative to me because of all the silly/ crazy situations Phoebe and Marigold have got into each other like for explain when Phoebe became a unicorn for a day and Marigold becoming a human for a day which was one funny part of the story that I liked the most and for being creative I will say its that because it shows many different ways of real life stuff/ showing things in a way you don’t really see them at all but also the adventures in the story. This story also teaches me to be yourself and to care for people but also maybe try new things.
In conclusion, Unicorn for a day by Dana Simpson is a really fun and interesting book that shows how Phoebe and Marigold deal with many silly/ crazy situations and unexpected problems that were happening in the book so far. And what makes it so funny is the way Phoebe and Marigold react to their lives and situation with each other but also the imaginations in the book like for example the images I am seeing and also the conversations Phoebe and Marigold are having so far. I would recommend this book to others that want to read a funny book and a playful book and I might recommend this book to kids in 6, 7, or even 8th graders.
October 14, 2023
For anyone familiar with the Freaky Friday movie (or book), you’ll know that it’s a story about a mother who changes places with her teenage daughter for a day. And now, Phoebe and her unicorn Marigold change places for a day to find out what each other’s life is like. The experiment is not entirely successful. I mean, if you like muffins, it went well. If you expect the sky not to be plaid, then you might consider the swap differently.
But Phoebe and Marigold are friends no matter what, even through the Forgetting Spells and the nose-booping, and the shiny rock with the quartz that looks like a smile. Despite the Butterfly of Doom, they find happiness. And while Phoebe gets bullied at school by Dakota, and Marigold steals horn cozies (socks) from Phoebe’s father, they find in each other a new perspective on their lives and relationships.
The thing I love about the friendship between Phoebe and her unicorn is the sweetness and the honesty. They are themselves together, and they bring out the best in each other. At one point in the book, they talk about collective nouns, and it turns out that the collective noun for unicorn is a blessing. That is how I feel about Marigold and about Phoebe too, that they are a blessing. They are a innocence and wisdom, laughter and snark, reality and magic. And these books continue to pick me up when I’m feeling down, alone, and vulnerable.
If you are buying this book for a younger reader, there is a glossary at the back to introduce readers to some of the more challenging words used in the book, like ambivalence, visage, coincidence, and doppelganger. Phoebe is only nine, so Unicorn for a Day is appropriate for younger readers, but some of the humor will be hard for them to understand, so it offers something special for older readers as well.
I’ve been a fan of Dana Simpson’s Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventures for many years now, and I enjoyed Unicorn for a Day very much. None of the storylines here are long, so you can pop in and read a few pages or you can sit with a tasty drink and read the whole thing at once. Either way, these friends will leave you feeling warm and comforted and a little sad that you can’t have a unicorn best friend of your own. But it’s still just a lot of fun, wild imaginings, and colorful illustrations, and who doesn’t want more of that in their life?
Egalleys for Unicorn for a Day were provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss, with many thanks.
But Phoebe and Marigold are friends no matter what, even through the Forgetting Spells and the nose-booping, and the shiny rock with the quartz that looks like a smile. Despite the Butterfly of Doom, they find happiness. And while Phoebe gets bullied at school by Dakota, and Marigold steals horn cozies (socks) from Phoebe’s father, they find in each other a new perspective on their lives and relationships.
The thing I love about the friendship between Phoebe and her unicorn is the sweetness and the honesty. They are themselves together, and they bring out the best in each other. At one point in the book, they talk about collective nouns, and it turns out that the collective noun for unicorn is a blessing. That is how I feel about Marigold and about Phoebe too, that they are a blessing. They are a innocence and wisdom, laughter and snark, reality and magic. And these books continue to pick me up when I’m feeling down, alone, and vulnerable.
If you are buying this book for a younger reader, there is a glossary at the back to introduce readers to some of the more challenging words used in the book, like ambivalence, visage, coincidence, and doppelganger. Phoebe is only nine, so Unicorn for a Day is appropriate for younger readers, but some of the humor will be hard for them to understand, so it offers something special for older readers as well.
I’ve been a fan of Dana Simpson’s Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventures for many years now, and I enjoyed Unicorn for a Day very much. None of the storylines here are long, so you can pop in and read a few pages or you can sit with a tasty drink and read the whole thing at once. Either way, these friends will leave you feeling warm and comforted and a little sad that you can’t have a unicorn best friend of your own. But it’s still just a lot of fun, wild imaginings, and colorful illustrations, and who doesn’t want more of that in their life?
Egalleys for Unicorn for a Day were provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss, with many thanks.
October 3, 2023
Nine year old Phoebe and her best friend and unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils are hanging out together. As usual, they talk about all the important things in life like friends, school, and embarrassing moments, and also in Marigold Heavenly Nostrils case - how beautiful, amazing, clever and sparkly she is!
They like to play little tricks on each other but never anything nasty - bringing laughs from the victor. When they argue about how much harder the other has to work each day, they decide to swap identities. Phoebe is going to enjoy doing nothing but skipping and frolicking through meadows and M.H.Nostrils is going to be Phoebe. Both promise the other not to do anything weird.
Weird is definitely what happens, with funny results.
Phoebe's parents and other friends feature in this episode. Her parents despair at an old TV program they used to enjoy. Now as the world is changed, they can see how inappropriate it was. Phoebe tries the same experiment which leads to worries about growing up and changing. Despite constantly teasing each other, they wonder if they will drift apart as Phoebe ages (HMN is nearly as old as time itself), but as usual, talking about it allays any fears.
All of this and more is in small comic strips and always funny. HMN's ego is huge, hilarious and lightens everything, while Phoebe's sharp wit can counteract her magical best friend's narcissistic personality.
This is No.18 in this series, and I found it is not essential to read the previous episodes to enjoy Unicorn for a Day.
Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils' friendship is hilarious as Phoebe is only nine and learning about the world, where MHN is an ancient magical and positively sparkling (in her opinion) being that knows all (in her opinion). This leads to hilarious conversations about all and everything as they banter and bicker and build their remarkable friendship.
Being a Unicorn for a Day is only one of many story threads within this graphic novel.
There are a lot of words young readers will come across through this collection of comic strips, but there is a handy glossary in the back to help. Learning new vocab while laughing is a great way to do it!
I love the illustration and easy to read lettering style in this funny graphic novel series.
They like to play little tricks on each other but never anything nasty - bringing laughs from the victor. When they argue about how much harder the other has to work each day, they decide to swap identities. Phoebe is going to enjoy doing nothing but skipping and frolicking through meadows and M.H.Nostrils is going to be Phoebe. Both promise the other not to do anything weird.
Weird is definitely what happens, with funny results.
Phoebe's parents and other friends feature in this episode. Her parents despair at an old TV program they used to enjoy. Now as the world is changed, they can see how inappropriate it was. Phoebe tries the same experiment which leads to worries about growing up and changing. Despite constantly teasing each other, they wonder if they will drift apart as Phoebe ages (HMN is nearly as old as time itself), but as usual, talking about it allays any fears.
All of this and more is in small comic strips and always funny. HMN's ego is huge, hilarious and lightens everything, while Phoebe's sharp wit can counteract her magical best friend's narcissistic personality.
This is No.18 in this series, and I found it is not essential to read the previous episodes to enjoy Unicorn for a Day.
Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils' friendship is hilarious as Phoebe is only nine and learning about the world, where MHN is an ancient magical and positively sparkling (in her opinion) being that knows all (in her opinion). This leads to hilarious conversations about all and everything as they banter and bicker and build their remarkable friendship.
Being a Unicorn for a Day is only one of many story threads within this graphic novel.
There are a lot of words young readers will come across through this collection of comic strips, but there is a handy glossary in the back to help. Learning new vocab while laughing is a great way to do it!
I love the illustration and easy to read lettering style in this funny graphic novel series.
October 21, 2023
Phoebe and Her Unicorn is probably the best comic strip currently running in newspapers. Doing a good deal to fill the void left by the cancellation of Calvin and Hobbes, it tells the lively and witty adventures of Phoebe, a slightly quirky human girl, and her best friend Marigold, a vain and magical but equally quirky unicorn. And Unicorn for a Day is another excellent collection!
Being a collection of strips rather than a full-on graphic novel, this book alternates between one-off gags and short story arcs. Sometimes these story arcs are fairly ordinary outside of Marigold's presence, such as Phoebe being bullied by the new girl at school or rewatching her favorite show to see if she still likes it. Others are more fantastic -- trying to catch the ghost that's stealing Dakota's hot chocolate, watching Todd the Candy Dragon have an identity crisis, meeting a mysterious (but adorable) creature called a Glorp... and of course the title story, where Phoebe and Marigold swap bodies for a day!
As always, the artwork in these books is a lot of fun, expressive and dynamic. It's not overly stylized or detailed, and the backgrounds can be a little ordinary, but most comic strips tend to be a little simple in their artwork. The addition of color does a lot to make the artwork pop, and Simpson still has a lot of fun with the designs of the fantastic creatures in her work.
The comic itself is a nice balance between goofy antics and observational humor, and mixes its fantastic elements with the real world quite well. It doesn't get as philosophical or introspective as Calvin and Hobbes, but it has its moments of self-reflection and pointing out the absurdity of the world and of society... all through the lens of a girl and her unicorn. And let's face it, it's fun watching Marigold be overdramatic, especially because Phoebe knows how to push her buttons by now.
I'm going to continue to follow this comic, and I hope it continues for a long time. It's one of the best ongoing comic strips out there.
Being a collection of strips rather than a full-on graphic novel, this book alternates between one-off gags and short story arcs. Sometimes these story arcs are fairly ordinary outside of Marigold's presence, such as Phoebe being bullied by the new girl at school or rewatching her favorite show to see if she still likes it. Others are more fantastic -- trying to catch the ghost that's stealing Dakota's hot chocolate, watching Todd the Candy Dragon have an identity crisis, meeting a mysterious (but adorable) creature called a Glorp... and of course the title story, where Phoebe and Marigold swap bodies for a day!
As always, the artwork in these books is a lot of fun, expressive and dynamic. It's not overly stylized or detailed, and the backgrounds can be a little ordinary, but most comic strips tend to be a little simple in their artwork. The addition of color does a lot to make the artwork pop, and Simpson still has a lot of fun with the designs of the fantastic creatures in her work.
The comic itself is a nice balance between goofy antics and observational humor, and mixes its fantastic elements with the real world quite well. It doesn't get as philosophical or introspective as Calvin and Hobbes, but it has its moments of self-reflection and pointing out the absurdity of the world and of society... all through the lens of a girl and her unicorn. And let's face it, it's fun watching Marigold be overdramatic, especially because Phoebe knows how to push her buttons by now.
I'm going to continue to follow this comic, and I hope it continues for a long time. It's one of the best ongoing comic strips out there.
August 1, 2023
Unicorn for a Day by Dana Simpson
My my oldest daughter was five, one of the librarians at our local library asked me if my daughter liked unicorns. I believe I responded, “Who doesn’t?” At which point she insisted I put a copy of Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson on hold.
The moral of this story is: always trust your librarian.
My oldest daughter is ten now, and I think she feels too old for Phoebe and her Unicorn, but I don’t! (And I think it’s time to start reading it with my youngest daughter who is now 5).
For those of you who don’t know, the Phoebe and her Unicorn series is about a young girl who feels a little bit weird who happens to befriend a unicorn with the fantastic name of Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. It’s a sweet, funny comic without being treacly. It is exactly what I would have wanted to read as a child in between Calvin and Hobbes and the Far Side. I would go so far as to say it is the Calvin and Hobbes of today. (BTW, parts of Calvin and Hobbes does not hold up so well anymore. In our current world of school shootings and unapologetic misogynists, it feels uncomfortable at times.)
This volume is a collection of comic strips and I am amazed that newspaper comic strips are still a thing. This book is sweet and funny and surprisingly insightful when Phoebe’s parents talk about old tv shows and movies not aging well because of the inherent sexism, racism, and homophobia that went unexplored at the time.
I highly recommend this volume and this series to readers of all ages. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My my oldest daughter was five, one of the librarians at our local library asked me if my daughter liked unicorns. I believe I responded, “Who doesn’t?” At which point she insisted I put a copy of Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson on hold.
The moral of this story is: always trust your librarian.
My oldest daughter is ten now, and I think she feels too old for Phoebe and her Unicorn, but I don’t! (And I think it’s time to start reading it with my youngest daughter who is now 5).
For those of you who don’t know, the Phoebe and her Unicorn series is about a young girl who feels a little bit weird who happens to befriend a unicorn with the fantastic name of Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. It’s a sweet, funny comic without being treacly. It is exactly what I would have wanted to read as a child in between Calvin and Hobbes and the Far Side. I would go so far as to say it is the Calvin and Hobbes of today. (BTW, parts of Calvin and Hobbes does not hold up so well anymore. In our current world of school shootings and unapologetic misogynists, it feels uncomfortable at times.)
This volume is a collection of comic strips and I am amazed that newspaper comic strips are still a thing. This book is sweet and funny and surprisingly insightful when Phoebe’s parents talk about old tv shows and movies not aging well because of the inherent sexism, racism, and homophobia that went unexplored at the time.
I highly recommend this volume and this series to readers of all ages. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2023
I devoured the first 15 Phoebe and Her Unicorn graphic novels and then experienced a unicorn drought. I was relieved to find this one, quickly followed by the horror of realising I’d missed two collections entirely.
Now I’m all caught up and as a reward I was granted references to Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo and Jaws. I’m not sure if the target audience will be familiar with all of these but I was happy to find them here.
I was also given the gift of a new favourite Marigold look. Her Big Puppy Dog Eyes of Persuasion spell gives her manga eyes. I love manga eyes! Now I want her to always have a mohawk and manga eyes.
Phoebe hypnotises Marigold. Sort of. Phoebe and Marigold discuss insecurity. Marigold is more expressive than usual.
Marigold discovers the downside of forgetting spells and Phoebe discovers the downside of healing magic.
Phoebe and Marigold decide to swap lives, like that horror movie The Unicorn Who Humiliatingly Debased Herself.
Dakota solves a mystery with some help from Marigold and Max looks up from his phone (briefly). The new kid at school reminds Phoebe of someone.
Phoebe’s parents, who deserve more page time, find out that a previously beloved TV show has not aged well. Marigold teaches Phoebe about the Big Bang Theory, the theory, not the TV show.
We meet Glorpie, who is adorable and needs to find their way into future collections.
I’ll be on the lookout for the next collection so there aren’t any more unicorn droughts in my life.
Thank you so much to Edelweiss and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com/
Now I’m all caught up and as a reward I was granted references to Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo and Jaws. I’m not sure if the target audience will be familiar with all of these but I was happy to find them here.
I was also given the gift of a new favourite Marigold look. Her Big Puppy Dog Eyes of Persuasion spell gives her manga eyes. I love manga eyes! Now I want her to always have a mohawk and manga eyes.
Phoebe hypnotises Marigold. Sort of. Phoebe and Marigold discuss insecurity. Marigold is more expressive than usual.
Marigold discovers the downside of forgetting spells and Phoebe discovers the downside of healing magic.
Phoebe and Marigold decide to swap lives, like that horror movie The Unicorn Who Humiliatingly Debased Herself.
Dakota solves a mystery with some help from Marigold and Max looks up from his phone (briefly). The new kid at school reminds Phoebe of someone.
Phoebe’s parents, who deserve more page time, find out that a previously beloved TV show has not aged well. Marigold teaches Phoebe about the Big Bang Theory, the theory, not the TV show.
We meet Glorpie, who is adorable and needs to find their way into future collections.
I’ll be on the lookout for the next collection so there aren’t any more unicorn droughts in my life.
Thank you so much to Edelweiss and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com/
September 26, 2023
Unicorn for a Day: Another Phoebe and her Unicorn Adventure is #18 in the series. 18!!! Thats pretty amazing.
I'm guessing that if you have enjoyed prior Phoebe and Marigold books, you will enjoy this one as well. Heck, I'm in my 50's and I enjoyed it. I laughed out loud in regards to the book club discussion. I'd recommend the book just for one page alone; tempted to buy a book and have that page framed. I know, I wouldn't really do that ... I'm probably being unfriended and unfollowed already for merely making the suggestion.
I love how Phoebe and Marigold introduce words to young readers and have the definitions in the back of the book. Such a great series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of Unicorn for a Day in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for approving my advance read copy request. Thank you to author/illustrator Dani Simpson for continuing to capture young readers with this fun series.
I'm guessing that if you have enjoyed prior Phoebe and Marigold books, you will enjoy this one as well. Heck, I'm in my 50's and I enjoyed it. I laughed out loud in regards to the book club discussion. I'd recommend the book just for one page alone; tempted to buy a book and have that page framed. I know, I wouldn't really do that ... I'm probably being unfriended and unfollowed already for merely making the suggestion.
I love how Phoebe and Marigold introduce words to young readers and have the definitions in the back of the book. Such a great series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of Unicorn for a Day in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for approving my advance read copy request. Thank you to author/illustrator Dani Simpson for continuing to capture young readers with this fun series.
October 11, 2023
Unpopular opinion incoming.
A Little was visiting and loves to read and loves unicorns so this was a no brainer. Neither one of us liked it and for similar reasons. The Little didn't like the lack of structure and in their words "it's just thought soup" which was explained as a bowl of thoughts that don't go together. The Little did not like the vocabulary how too many words had to be explained. The one thing we both agreed about is the illustrations were good.
I don't disagree with any of their complaints. Being used to graphic novels that have a story, this felt like Seinfeld, a graphic novel about nothing. This is the first Phoebe and her Unicorn graphic novel I've read and maybe the lack of familiarity with the characters and style played a role in the disappointment. Neither one of us wanted to get an earlier title and try again.
A Little was visiting and loves to read and loves unicorns so this was a no brainer. Neither one of us liked it and for similar reasons. The Little didn't like the lack of structure and in their words "it's just thought soup" which was explained as a bowl of thoughts that don't go together. The Little did not like the vocabulary how too many words had to be explained. The one thing we both agreed about is the illustrations were good.
I don't disagree with any of their complaints. Being used to graphic novels that have a story, this felt like Seinfeld, a graphic novel about nothing. This is the first Phoebe and her Unicorn graphic novel I've read and maybe the lack of familiarity with the characters and style played a role in the disappointment. Neither one of us wanted to get an earlier title and try again.
August 23, 2023
My daughter (age 4) checks these books out from the library and likes to page through them. However, this is the first book that I actually read. The kids, four and six (boy), both gave it a solid four – they said it was good. However, I would not really desire to read another one of this again. I did not really care for the omens and spells theme. The book is more a collection of short comics put together one after the other but no divisions in the book to make it clear where one idea ends in the next begins. There also really aren’t any lessons being learned or portrayed in this book also. It’s pure fluff.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book by the Publisher through Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book by the Publisher through Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 7, 2023
I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main characters were the unicorn named Marigold and Phoebe Howell.
Phoebe Howell has meet a unicorn named Marigold and become best friend's with it. One day they decided to trade place by using magical unicorn powers. Phoebe finds out that being a unicorn is not as fun as she thought it would be. And Marigold has trouble being a human. They both decided to change back. There was other things that Marigold and Phoebe try throughout the book.
This was a fun story to read. It read like a comic book. It had action and adventure throughout. It had a few giggles within. The illustrations want well with the story.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Phoebe Howell has meet a unicorn named Marigold and become best friend's with it. One day they decided to trade place by using magical unicorn powers. Phoebe finds out that being a unicorn is not as fun as she thought it would be. And Marigold has trouble being a human. They both decided to change back. There was other things that Marigold and Phoebe try throughout the book.
This was a fun story to read. It read like a comic book. It had action and adventure throughout. It had a few giggles within. The illustrations want well with the story.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
January 23, 2024
A collection of Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics. In this collection memorable series include Phoebe and Marigold switching bodies for a period of time, they help a lost pet "Glorp" find its owner, and Dakota thinks she's being haunted.
Last week was crazy busy, and this was my escapist read to decompress for a few days. I was going to spread it out longer, but I accidentally finished it all on Thursday. It's Phoebe and Marigold's fault for being so readable. I still like Volume 17 a touch better, but this was also a lot of fun.
Notes on content:
Language: none
Sexual content: none
Violence: none
Ethnic diversity: Not specified (Phoebe and her dad look like they have olive skin tones, others have whiter skin)
GBLTQ+ content: None specified in this volume
Last week was crazy busy, and this was my escapist read to decompress for a few days. I was going to spread it out longer, but I accidentally finished it all on Thursday. It's Phoebe and Marigold's fault for being so readable. I still like Volume 17 a touch better, but this was also a lot of fun.
Notes on content:
Language: none
Sexual content: none
Violence: none
Ethnic diversity: Not specified (Phoebe and her dad look like they have olive skin tones, others have whiter skin)
GBLTQ+ content: None specified in this volume
April 30, 2024
I'm sorry... I'm hijacking this review from my 9 yr old. Hahaha. Usually I let her give the star ratings for these kids' books, but not gonna let her for this one. Mind you this book was for her when we read it together. She had already read a few from this series and this was only my 1st book from it. But, man, for this being #18 in the series (and a more recent release for that matter), I was expecting ... something. I was hugely disappointed. This pretentious unicorn character was annoying. Phoebe is okay... I kinda liked her in some snippets. My daughter told me these little vignettes are typical for this series. I personally didn't care for them. I told her it's a HARD in moving forward with this series for me. No Thank You.
June 27, 2023
I have loved every single one of these (and if you have too, you'll probably love this one as well).
There is always something fun and unique in each volume - this one contains some Freaky Friday-esque shenanigans, and the answer to how the universe was created (the unicorns have the answer for everything!)
I hope there are infinitely more of these!
Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
There is always something fun and unique in each volume - this one contains some Freaky Friday-esque shenanigans, and the answer to how the universe was created (the unicorns have the answer for everything!)
I hope there are infinitely more of these!
Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2023
Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils are back again with more humor and hijinks and some existential dread along the way.
Phoebe and Marigold discuss their insecurities and why they have them, should they have them? They decide to switch bodies and see who is better at being the other. They discover a strange new creature, Dakota and Phoebe team up to hunt some paranormal, and Phoebe learns that growing up doesn't mean that things you used to like you can't like anymore. As always Marigold is around to provide unicorn wisdom and sparkles and a little bit of levity when you need it. If you're already a fan of this series you'll enjoy this one too.
Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Phoebe and Marigold discuss their insecurities and why they have them, should they have them? They decide to switch bodies and see who is better at being the other. They discover a strange new creature, Dakota and Phoebe team up to hunt some paranormal, and Phoebe learns that growing up doesn't mean that things you used to like you can't like anymore. As always Marigold is around to provide unicorn wisdom and sparkles and a little bit of levity when you need it. If you're already a fan of this series you'll enjoy this one too.
Copy provided by Edelweiss.
August 19, 2023
“Unicorn For a Day” by Dana Simpson is a fun graphic novel about an ordinary girl named Phoebe and her best friend, Marigold, who happens to be a unicorn! They are back for more adventure! In this book, Phoebe and Marigold discuss their insecurities and why they have them. Ultimately, they decide to switch bodies - Freaky Friday style - and see who is better at being the other. The two have adventures throughout the book with twists of real-life issues. This series is engaging, and entertaining. Another must-read if you're a fan!
I received an advanced e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#UnicornforaDay #NetGalley
I received an advanced e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#UnicornforaDay #NetGalley
October 6, 2023
We dropped in 18 into this series and now we need to go back to the beginning and read the rest because this was a fun story! This has a sense of whimsy and speaks into what it's like to be a child without trivializing it. I liked the story of them trading places. As I have a fairly new reader who is devouring graphic novels, I also really appreciated the inclusion of the glossary. The glossary would help my reader move into this graphic novel that has some more challenging words in it and feel like he can succeed. All in all, this is a great book.
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this graphic novel.
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this graphic novel.
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