Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series

Book review by Carrie Kingsley, Common Sense Media
Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Funny, sarcastic graphic novels have layers of complexity.

Dana Simpson Graphic Novel 2014
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 6 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dana Simpson's Phoebe and Her Unicorn series is very much about being true to yourself, whether you're a unicorn named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils or 9-year-old Phoebe, a confident, happy misfit. Phoebe loves being a weirdo, being different from other kids. She's confused about not being liked by someone she wants to befriend, but is confident enough in herself not to get too sad. She speaks like an adult but with a child's perspective -- a tough line for a character to walk, and it works beautifully. The sarcasm is heavy here, and the series reaches for both silly highs and emotionally bare lows; it's both moving and hilarious. If ever there will be series worth mentioning in the same breath as the legendary comic strip Calvin and Hobbes -- albeit without quite as much adult appeal -- this might be one.

Community Reviews

Nierika
Nierika Adult
September 21, 2018
age 11+

Funny and quirky yes... but not appropriate for young children

Every family has individual rules and allowances for what is appropriate with regards to their children. However, I do feel that more parents should know what this book series is like beyond their cutesy covers and the sweet, funny and quirky write ups on the jacket of the book. This book series does indeed show / describe some difficult challenges that students can come across in school however the sarcastic tone and the use of the word "stupid". For example, here is a particularly "choice" sentence from book #2 of the series. Stupid Mom. “I’m mom! Blah blah blah! I’m a great big stupid face!” This type of language and behaviour is frequently used and displayed by the main character and her "narcissistic" Unicorn. The elements of bullying by her peers are also quite harsh. Children the age of 6-7 may understand on some level that these words are incorrect, but children this young are so incredibly impressionable and they emulate the words/actions/behaviours of their surroundings. If a book like this is allowed in schools, these younger children may think that the behaviour modelled in this book series is funny and ok to emulate especially if they think it's all just a joke. Just read the book series and ask yourself, is this how you would allow your children to speak with you? Would you want your children to behave in this manner? Ultimately it comes down to the choice of the parent on what they will allow and expose their children to. My humble opinion is that it is NOT appropriate in elementary schools for children under the age of 11.

This title has:

Too much swearing
phatmatt
phatmatt Adult
July 9, 2018
age 8+

Not letting me kid read this

I'm not conservative by any means, but I find the first book (and in the first few pages) to be negative themed and not appropriate for building good positive characteristics in your children. On three pages I saw "I suck" written in the graphics and suck again a few paragraphs forward. Another paragraph had stupid and stupidhead before being closed out with suck. That's too much for my taste. Tell me I'm wrong but first impressions are strong and my daughter (7) borrowed 6 of these books from the library to read. Umm .. no.. Thanks for playin'!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN series, 9-year-old Phoebe is a happy misfit weirdo whose best friend is a unicorn named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. No one -- parents, teachers, other kids -- think having a unicorn friend is odd because the "shield of borningness" Marigold enacted makes living with a unicorn seem perfectly normal. Phoebe deals with classmates who shun her because she's different, but Phoebe likes being weird. Her parents play video games with Phoebe, send her to music camp, and don't blink when their daughter starts a detective agency with the unicorn she rides to school. Phoebe faces everyday kid situations, but armed with a huge amount of confidence and a narcissistic unicorn, she has her own take on the world. At the end of each book are instructions for drawing the characters and other crafts.

Is It Any Good?

This series more than good; it's great. Phoebe and Her Unicorn is first and foremost a kids' series, but it's the rare graphic novel that works for adults, too. Phoebe is confident, smart, silly, and self-centered. Her unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, is all of that -- and, like all unicorns, is also mesmerized by her own beauty. This series tackles issues of fitting in, popularity, loneliness, friendship, honesty and what it means to be yourself. One of Phoebe's best friends is a boy, Max, and sometimes Phoebe isn't sure how she feels about having a boy as a friend (a feeling that readers in this age group can likely relate to).

This series doesn't reach the emotional lows that a more adult-targeted comic strip would, but it mixes some angst and tough questions with the sparkles and giddiness of life with a unicorn.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how, in Phoebe and Her Unicorn, Phoebe is blissfully happy being her "weird" self and doesn't want to be "normal." What makes a person weird? Why is weirdness a good thing?

  • Phoebe's best friend is her unicorn. Who are your best friends?

  • In what other books are kids and animals friends in such a realistic way?

Book Details

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