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Phoebe and Her Unicorn #10

The Unicorn Whisperer

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Welcome back to the hilarious and heartwarming world of Phoebe and Her Unicorn , where readers of all ages can always find a friend to lend a magical helping hand — or hoof.

For 9-year-old Phoebe Howell and her sparkling companion, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, every day is an adventure. In this latest installation of Dana Simpson's award-winning Phoebe and Her Unicorn series, Phoebe navigates the challenges of school life with a little help from her unicorn friend, who is always ready with the perfect spell for the occasion. But as the magic spells mount up, both Phoebe and Marigold find themselves wondering if sometimes they might be taking things just a little too far...

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2019

323 people are currently reading
549 people want to read

About the author

Dana Simpson

61 books336 followers
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.

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5 stars
647 (52%)
4 stars
379 (30%)
3 stars
168 (13%)
2 stars
25 (2%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Profile Image for Schizanthus Nerd.
1,317 reviews304 followers
September 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this collection. While the previous couple of Phoebe and Her Unicorn books have still been fun to read, it also felt like I was largely reading about the same series of events in slightly different ways. This collection had a lot more variety and also introduced some new ideas and jokes to the usual reflection gazing and all round unicorn wonderment that makes this series both funny and heartwarming, with some enjoyable sarcasm and nerd points.

It’s a nice challenge, attempting to whittle down my numerous favourites and decide which ones to include here. We’ll start with an obvious favourite, when Phoebe’s love of reading overrides her need to do her homework.
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Phoebe also makes a necessary improvement to her bedtime story.
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While Phoebe is working on her history report (and no, it’s not allowed to be about unicorns again) Marigold catches up with Todd. Phoebe considers what her Halloween costume will be this year, begins to figure out her superhero origin story and gradually learns what her superpowers are.
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Later Phoebe comes down with a case of sparkle fever and Marigold is offended during a game of Monopoly. Phoebe has a nightmare and Marigold has a good dream. Both attend a goblin opera and Marigold visits Concertina Lovelyflank’s Sugar Boutique.

Marigold regales Phoebe with some unicorn lore, including what happens if a unicorn stays too long at the beach and what unicorns believed shooting stars were. Phoebe learns the truth about the Tooth Fairy.

Marigold is always ready to lend some magic to help out her best friend, although the results can be quite unexpected.
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I love that after all this time Marigold still has the ability to delight and surprise Phoebe (and myself).
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Despite all of the magic this series remains relatable
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and at its core lies a heartwarming interspecies friendship.
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It’s lovely to take some time to remember the innocence of childhood and focus on the good, the funny and the magic that surrounds us, even if we aren’t lucky enough to have a unicorn as our best friend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to love this graphic novel early.
Profile Image for Karina.
1,027 reviews
January 17, 2022
Election Faerie: Marigold Heavenly Nostrils?
Marigold the Unicorn: Yes! Hello, Election Faerie.
Faerie: Ready?
Marigold: Ahem.
Marigold: Yes, yes, no, yes, no, no, 57, apples, and Phoebe Howell.
Exit Faerie
Phoebe: What was that?
Marigold: Unicorn voting!

Yeah, I love this series. Snarky, funny, witty, and beautifully drawn pictures.

Oh, right, my daughter likes it too : )
This brings back the funnies of our newspaper time.
Profile Image for Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads).
1,133 reviews
October 1, 2019
3.5 stars

Another great collection of Phoebe & Marigold adventures!
My daughter and I love reading this series together and I appreciate that there is humor and relatable situations for both children and adults. As always, the ongoing themes of friendship and marching to your own beat are prevalent and make this a series I enjoy coming back to every time.

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Unicorn Whisperer is scheduled for release October 8, 2019.

For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,311 reviews2,153 followers
October 17, 2023
I'm going through these too fast to keep up with reviewing them. And my memory for individual details isn't holding up. So I may just copy this as the review for those I've read, at least for as long as the quality keeps up. My review of the first should hold up for the rest.

Okay, one note. Phoebe's dad is totally me. He even looks like me since I've grown my hair out. It's uncanny.
Profile Image for Diz.
1,861 reviews138 followers
April 9, 2020
This is a comic strip that looks at all the humorous situations that arise when an ordinary girl and a magical unicorn share their lives. The jokes didn't really hit for me, but my daughter enjoyed them.
Profile Image for Beth Tabler.
Author 15 books198 followers
November 3, 2019
Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, how I love Phoebe and Marigold. A better pair has never existed. My daughter and I love reading about their adventures. There is humor that an adult would find funny, and humor that is perfect for sharing with your children. It is masterfully written to appeal to so many tiers of audiences. I love the overarching themes of acceptance and loving yourself. It s such an important trait to help instill in kids. I definitely suggest picking up this series to read with your child, you will enjoy it.


For more reviews, visit www.beforewegoblog.com
Profile Image for Darla.
4,827 reviews1,234 followers
January 24, 2020
Five over the top, sparkly stars for my favorite graphic novel duo. Phoebe and Marigold are back with another book filled with adventures and musings on life. Their conversations range from discussion of an interrupting cow named Mabel to bathing in a bathtub (coined a bathing chamber by Marigold) vs. bathing in magic cleansing sparkles. Max is still Phoebe's go-to buddy and Dakota is still her frenemy. Todd, the dragon, is still out there barfing up candy and the goblins still idolize Dakota and make her the star of their opera. So many fun pages to enjoy as well as mind-enriching vocabulary and other facts like not feeding ducks bread which spoils their appetite for more nourishing fare (Phoebe and Marigold use that as an opportunity to practice "tough love"). What are you waiting for? I'll bet your library has a copy of this entertaining new title.
Profile Image for orangerful.
953 reviews50 followers
December 21, 2019
I don't know what else I can say about this series except that it makes me LOL and I adore it. I needed something light and fun and this collection is solid through out. I love the Halloween arc, with Phoebe getting temporary superpowers, courtesy of Marigold.
Profile Image for Alisha.
806 reviews6 followers
January 4, 2023
Unicorns!

A good collection of humorous comics starring Phoebe and her unicorn. If you liked the previous installments you'll probably enjoy this one.
Profile Image for Carla.
319 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2021
Já estava com saudades de ler aventuras da Bia com o seu Unicórnio.
Mais uma vez não desiludiu, estes livros são simplesmente fantásticos e arrancam-me sempre muitas gargalhadas.
Profile Image for J.L. Slipak.
Author 14 books30 followers
November 14, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve taken a liking to the Phoebe and Her Unicorn books lately. I find them very entertaining, funny and well-written. What started as a blog cartoon has now branched into a full-blown writing career. There’s more information about the author and her work found here. You can look at her other work at this site. Dana Simpson is both author and illustrator who brings her ideas to life with a huge dose of humor.

This book is a graphic novel with short skits guaranteed to bring a smile to any reader. The stories are fun, sarcastic and a bit cheeky. The characters are wonderful, after all, we have a talking unicorn… I read this book twice and loved it both times!

The artwork compliments the stories, and are done with bright and cheery colors. There’s a magical quality to Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventures that is sure to please.
Profile Image for La Coccinelle.
2,259 reviews3,568 followers
October 20, 2019
Here's yet another enjoyable collection of comics about Phoebe and Marigold. All the things that make the previous collections are so enjoyable are here: the cultural references, the humour, the stories, the secondary characters... (I love Todd! Rar.)

I've read most of the series this year, and I think it's one of my favourite comics. Keep 'em coming, Dana Simpson!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a digital ARC.
Profile Image for Sakura.
193 reviews9 followers
December 9, 2025
I’ve been saying this series has been going downhill a lot, but honestly, this one was a decent bit better.

I laughed a few times, and found myself smiling and enjoying the content a lot more than I had been. It did have at least 3 repeated comics which were in other volumes already, which was definitely annoying, but at the same time, not a tremendous deal. I really do prefer these comics over the full-on graphic novels, so I guess it’s a bit of a trade off.

So, yeah, this was pretty fun!! I would recommend!! I wanted to give it three stars, but I’ve been giving every book three stars recently- so I’ll bump it up to a four. Plus, I do think it deserves it.

(This book contains mild classroom bullying. I would give it an age rating of all-ages!!)
13 reviews
May 22, 2020
This book is very realistic. It kind of makes me think that unicorns exist. This type of book is like what would a unicorn be like in real life. This book also has many plot twists
Profile Image for Jimin'sRamenNoodles (Jinlo).
28 reviews40 followers
May 11, 2021
I'm disgusted by you, Dana Simpson.

How dare you compare this worthless piece of filth to 'Calvin And Hobbes', the name that shouldn't even be used from your mouth. I would've gave you and your ridiculous book a chance, but the forward I saw in one of your books made me want to rip it into a thousand pieces and use it to wipe my dogs butt. I hate this book with a BURNING PASSION.

Bill Watterson will be better then you and your stupid, useless vector art pictures will ever be.
Calvin and Hobbes is a breathtakingly unique concept, a book that is treasured for the love, humor, worry, passion and sadness spilled into the pages. His book is genius, and if I could read one thing for the rest of my life, it would be that. Your art is messy and you REUSE THE SAME PANEL OVER AND OVER like we're all too stupid to notice.

Not only do you compare, but you say you're book is BETTER, and Calvin and Hobbes is boring.

And yet here you are, sitting and your trashy high and mighty throne, using and pushing down other authors to lift yourself up.
I wish to never set sight on another one of these books again.

Grow up, Dana Simpson.
And while you're at it, keep the name Bill Watterson out of your immature mouth.

(As for this review, you are JUST the type to be sneaking on Goodreads and acting like you aren't reading your own reviews- Yet here you are. Hopefully this well help you GET A CLUE.)
Profile Image for Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ....
2,269 reviews71 followers
September 12, 2019
I would buy this sweet, charming and funny book for any child in my life. The illustrations are charming and the stories are cute. The author uses real language that will advance the vocabularies of her readers. And she includes a glossary, which I love. This is a wonderful little book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Dana Simpson and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Didi.
417 reviews
September 21, 2019
I’ve never heard of Phoebe and Her Unicorn series before, but now that I’ve read this, I’ll be looking forward to more. I love Phoebe and Marigold! They have great chemistry and rapport. At first I thought it’s another Calvin and Hobbes, but this is so much better as everyone can see Marigold the unicorn! Even though this series is targetted to children, me being a grown ass woman, didn’t stop me from loving it!
3.5stars
Profile Image for Thomas.
2,088 reviews83 followers
October 9, 2019
This is such a good series. It's charming and funny, progressive and wise, honest and positive. It's like Calvin and Hobbes without the cynicism.

The comic feels like it's intended for younger readers, but I can't get enough of it.
Profile Image for Louie.
421 reviews
December 4, 2019
Another extremely fun installment of my favorite comic series.
Profile Image for Ginny.
1,371 reviews17 followers
November 10, 2019
As usual, such a stinking cute book.

And as usual, the breaks in the story with another comic or story momentarily confuses me, but not enough to really complain. Just in general I love these books-great story of friendship, etc.
Profile Image for Kenya Starflight.
1,654 reviews21 followers
October 18, 2019
"Phoebe and Her Unicorn" is one of my favorite comic strips, second only to "The Far Side" and "Calvin and Hobbes" in my opinion. It has great characters, a clever sense of humor that can appeal to both kids and adults, and delightful artwork to boot. "The Unicorn Whisperer" is the latest collection of strips, and it still manages to be both cute and witty, giving us a magical world with modern sensibilities and two of the best best-friend characters since Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes."

It's the start of another school year for Phoebe, one that's replete with misadventures. With her best friend, the vain but well-meaning unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, she must navigate the possibility of losing her best unicorn friend to another child, the perils of the goblin opera, a bad case of sparkle fever, a foreboding group project, and the consequences of a concentration spell gone awry. With Marigold, her best human friend Max, her "frenemy" Dakota, and Todd the Candy Dragon all by her side, however, she'll find a way to prevail.

Dana Simpson's artwork is strong as ever, nicely stylized and pleasant to look at. It's realistic enough to be able to tell what's going on, but not so hyperrealistic as to fall into the uncanny valley. Marigold's design in particular works well, graceful and lovely but still cartoony enough to not look bizarre in the stylized setting... and part of the humor of the strip DOES come from seeing such an ethereal-looking creature engaged in ridiculous antics like roller-skating and dressing up in Halloween costumes.

The story arcs and one-off jokes hit a nice balance between the fantastic and modern-day life, giving us a sense of magical realism that's quite enjoyable. Some of the jokes are more miss than hit (Marigold playing Pokehuman Go, for example, feels like a joke that'll date quickly), but for the most part they hit their mark. And while the strip may not get as wacky and morbid as "The Far Side" or as deeply philosophical as "Calvin and Hobbes," it's found its own enjoyable niche.

Another strong collection of "Phoebe and Her Unicorn" comics, "The Unicorn Whisperer" is a delightful compilation, and I hope this strip continues for some time to come.
Profile Image for Pam.
9,815 reviews54 followers
May 13, 2020
Tenth in the series.
The adventures feel fresh in this book. Phoebe and Marigold use magic to solve problems but start to wonder if they use it too often.
Clever writing and illustrations will continue to delight elementary readers.
Profile Image for 寿理 宮本.
2,389 reviews16 followers
September 24, 2024
There's an amount I would give this four stars, just because I already read the web comic, and this feels superfluous (soo-purr-floo-us)* to that, especially since the comics are really more formatted for newspapers** than books. However, I understand that younger readers wouldn't be reading newspapers and *might* not follow web comics, so this is definitely a preferable format for them, especially since—I am assured by a parent of younger reader(s?)—books are the go-to for "offline" time. No complaints here!

However, this includes a comic specifically pointing out the danger of feeding bread to ducks (or ANY birds, really)—something I regularly complain about in my reviews, so if I could, I would give a bonus star for that!

...hmm, I appear to have deducted a star somehow. Problem solved!

The real reason I would have deducted a star, honestly, is the sort of disjointed nature of "made for newspapers" format that means there aren't really any story lines longer than six strips (for non-Sundays). This volume in specific has one oddball orphan strip, too, where Phoebe mentions needing to get Dakota's shoes back, but WHY they do is missing, not to mention what happens afterwards. In this respect, this volume is GOOD but not AS good as some of the other collections (barring the ones that are more long format stories, which are less collections and more "offline-exclusive" content).

Probably... I've only actually read a few of the physical books, despite owning pretty much all of them (keeping in the back of my mind that another has probably released when I wasn't looking).

It also, apparently, skips some strips that just won't fit the book-style format. Another reason I read the web comic, though—infinite canvas! So, if completionism is your goal, guess you have to read both! Definitely recommend doing just that!

(I haven't yet, primarily because I'm more reluctant to read and review the books I've already decided to keep forever—or close enough to forever—when I'm addicted as I am to getting, reading, then donating cheap/free books to free libraries... the faster I read THOSE, the faster I can donate them! The main reason I reviewed this one is I got a used copy for cheap, so why not finally review it?)

*I do like that Simpson doesn't talk down to her readers and uses "big" words like Calvin and Hobbes does, difference being her books include a glossary at the end with pronunciations and definitions for the words most likely to cause befuddlement (bee-fudd-uhl-ment: pg. 58 – noun / confusion).

**"What are THOSE, haha!?"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews

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