Galactic Unicorn

Phoebe and Her Unicorn #22

by Dana Simpson

With lively storytelling and a sincere portrayal of friendship, this new collection ofPhoebe and Her Unicorncomics reveals how an extroverted and enchanting unicorn and an awkward but sweet 10-year-old girl craft the most magical of friendships.

As a new school year looms, ten-year-old Phoebe and her unicorn best friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, decide to make the most of the final days of summer. They plan a joint birthday party and invite everyone—humans and magical creatures alike. After encountering her robotic double, Marigold faces a big, sparkly identity crisis. When Robot Marigold volunteers for a mission to space, she turns to Phoebe and Marigold for help. Will this otherworldly expedition find success? Grab your space suits and find out in this stellar collection of Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics, where friendship and fun are out of this world!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Childrens, Humor, Middle Grade, Comics, Juvenile

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

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.

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.

Reviews

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
Review being submitted to School Library Journal for an upcoming SMS article.

[Miriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

it took 22 books but Phoebe finally escaped 4th grade

[Juliet Brambrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are funnier than they have any right to be.

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still maintain that Phoebe and Her Unicorn is the one worthy successor to Bill Watterson's comic-strip masterpiece Calvin and Hobbes. While it doesn't delve as deep into philosophy or take as big of artistic risks as Calvin and Hobbes did in its best moments, it's still one of the best strips currently running, and Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils have a dynamic much like Calvin and his tiger friend did. Galactic Unicorn is another delightful collection of their adventures, and if the formula is getting a little repetitive by this point... well, it's still fun.

Phoebe has officially turned ten years old! Another year means more adventures... and after a joint birthday party with Marigold (who's so unfathomably ancient she's forgotten her own birthday), she finds herself moving on to a new school year. And along the way she meets Splendid Humility's awkward brother, Marigold's robot double, and old friends and crushes. And all the while she has her nerdy friend Max, her "frenemy" Dakota, and of course Marigold the vain but friendly unicorn at her side.

These books continue to be fun, blending the awkwardness of growing up with the zany and fantastic adventures of living side by side with fantasy creatures. The nature of this comic can get a little repetitive at times, but that's true with many newspaper comics... and at least this comic has good art, a varied cast, and plenty of wit and weirdness to keep it interesting.

While Phoebe and Her Unicorn will never fully replace gems such as Calvin and Hobbes or The Far Side, it's still a worthy contender for the title of "best comic strip currently running," and will delight old and young readers alike.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils are going strong with a 22nd edition of the series.

Here were some things I loved:

🦄Marigold continues to encourage us to "bask in her sparkling magnificence." She is good at all things Unicorn.

👧Phoebe is turning ten! One of my favorite bits was her birthday party. Marigold decided to have a birthday the same day. The quirky guest mix included the nerds that Phoebe is comfortable with and assorted unicorns.

🤖A colony of robot unicorns is introduced. When Phoebe asks about getting her own robot equivalent, the unicorns include a Roomba. The bit works better than you would think.

💪As usual, there are plenty of opportunities to beef up reader vocabulary. The Glossary at the end of the book includes gems like EPHEMERAL, INIMITABLE, MELLIFLUOUS, and TRANSCENDENTLY.💎

Among the very last panels is a set with Marigold dancing in the background and Phoebe in the foreground making goofy expressions. A great way to sum up their friendship.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Phoebe and her unicorn, and there are some great comics in this volume. So why not my normal 5 stars? I happened to fall behind and read volume 21 and 22 back-to-back. If I hadn’t, I may not have noticed the repeat of the 6 page misunderstood artist comic. It’s a good bit, but why repeat it? Especially when there is so much good new stuff. Still a great read.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
Phoebe and Marigold spend a wonderful summer together that finishes with Phoebe entering fifth grade. They have an amazing birthday party for Phoebe's 10th birthday which she shares with Marigold. Then they interact with a robot Marigold and learn more about each other. Such a fun series - a light read with serious points within.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter is in her 20s and still loves to get these as gifts, and she always passes them along to me to read next .... As always, a fun read and some chuckles. These aren't belly laugh comics, but they are just a feel good read. From start to finish. I did hope for a bit more robot time, but all in all, a fun read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, it's a new Phoebe and her Unicorn collection. What's not to love? They always make me happy, they always make me laugh, and this one includes a really hilarious robot-doppelgangers storyline. Obviously, it was fabulous!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Annabelle Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loooove this series sooooo much!!!!!!!

[Diana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe & Her Unicorn #22

[Molly]

Literally dying at Meat Marigold and Meat Phoebe.

[Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful Phoebe and Marigold. Loved half of the contents. The Robot Unicorn sequences didn't thrill; the puddle is priceless, and the birthday sequence a treat!

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite page is about carrots. Creating a robotic unicorn is an interesting concept. This was a great way to cheer me up after a rather glum
Christmas Day.