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Phoebe and Her Unicorn #2

Unicorn on a Roll

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The magical friendship of Phoebe and her best friend, unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, is back in this second adventure of a girl and her mythical creature!

One year has passed since Phoebe skipped a rock across a pond, accidentally hit a unicorn in the face, and was granted a single wish—which she used to make the unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, her obligational best friend. In some ways, not much has changed. At school Phoebe still clashes with her rival--and sometimes “frenemy�--he ever-taunting and imperious Dakota. Outside of school, she still fills her free time with extra-credit homework assignments, dramatic monologues about the injustices associated with school cliques, and imaginative conspiracy theories regarding global forces like the “powerful construction paper lobby.� But unlike before, Phoebe now has a best friend to share it with—someone to make her laugh and to listen to all her extravagant ideas.

In this second volume of Dana Simpson's Phoebe and Her Unicorn series, titled, Unicorn on a Roll, the reader is invited on a journey into the lives of Phoebe and Marigold as they navigate the difficulties of grade school, celebrate the winter holidays, and explore their super hero/super villain personas together. Join in the fun, as Phoebe competes against Dakota for the leading role of “Lisa Ladybug� in their fourth-grade play—or as she struggles to “manage� the PR debacle related to her nose-picking-scandal. (“I will neither confirm nor deny the events surrounding Boogergate.�) Witness a band of unicorns staging an “intervention� and learn all the details of Marigold’s secret crush on a mysterious creature she has never seen. Perhaps most important, watch as this surprising friendship between a charming, nine-year-old dreamer and a vain, mythical beast forever changes both of them for the better.

222 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2015

336 people are currently reading
2,081 people want to read

About the author

Dana Simpson

57books323followers
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
2,809 (51%)
4 stars
1,551 (28%)
3 stars
767 (14%)
2 stars
184 (3%)
1 star
156 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 393 reviews
Profile Image for Exina.
1,269 reviews411 followers
July 23, 2017
It's been a year since Phoebe and Marigold became friends.
"Marigold, you remember how we met, right?"
"Of course. You hit me with a rock, I granted you a wish, and your wish was that I become your best friend."
"And we've been hanging out ever since."
"Unicorns do not 'hang out'."
"From what I've seen that's all unicorns do."



Charming and magical! I love the secondary characters: Dakota, Max, and of course the parents - they are all awesome!
"Hey, Max?"
"Hey, Phoebe."
"I'm unsupervised and I wanna do something I'm not supposed to."
"I'm illegally downloading "Exploison Man 2" before it's out on DVD."
"Can I press enter?"
"You're desperate, aren't you?"

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Karina.
990 reviews
November 15, 2021
Phoebe� Why are you so much smarter than a horse?
Unicorn� You ALSO are somewhat smarter than a horse.
Phoebe� But I’m not a horse
Unicorn� I am not a horse either
Phoebe� you’re closer than I am
Unicorn� in what way?
Phoebe� You have four horse hooves and a tail
Unicorn� YOU have no horn and do not glow in the dark
Phoebe—Let us agree to be non-horses together.
Unicorn� “Somewhat� smarter?

Hilarious. Phoebe and her Unicorn, Marigold are best friends that enjoy being snarky and sparkly.

This is my daughter’s new obsession in series. We both laugh at the things said.

Pictures are bright and colorful. Great for bedtime.
Profile Image for Schizanthus Nerd.
1,317 reviews287 followers
April 10, 2019
image by Ivona Design
Phoebe and Marigold are back, and are apparently my new graphic novel obsession. In this second collection they reflect on what life was like before they became best friends, discuss Boogergate, exchange Christmas presents, make New Year’s resolutions, practice for the school play, and even visit Marigold’s home! Oh, and you get to watch a unicorn roller skate!
description
I love watching Phoebe embracing her nerdiness.
description
I enjoyed the pop culture references, most of which would fly straight over the heads of any kids reading it. The Alanis/Irony quip was probably my favourite. Happily, my new favourite superhero and villain, Claustrophoebea and Pointyhead, also return!

It’s probably a nerd thing but I absolutely adored Phoebe’s dream sequence.
description
Dakota and Max return, as do Phoebe’s amazing parents, and even though this is only my second Phoebe and Her Unicorn read it feels like they’ve been my friends for a long time.

P.S. The magical picture of the unicorn reading is by Ivona Design.
Profile Image for Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora).
1,009 reviews43.1k followers
May 28, 2019
¿Podemos hablar de lo gracioso que fue ver a la unicornio Caléndula Nariz Celestial teniendo un crush enorme en el unicornio Lord Espléndida Humildad? LOL!

Esta serie de cómics sigue siendo genial para pasar un rato viendo las absurdas y locas aventuras de Cloe con la unicornio más engreída del universo.
Profile Image for britt_brooke.
1,575 reviews115 followers
January 18, 2019
This unlikely friendship is just adorable! 👧🏻🦄 More shenanigans and valuable learning experiences ensue. Such a fun palate cleanser.

PS. My ploy with volume one worked! I passed it along to my (almost) 9 year old niece and she loved it. Since we live in different states, the agreement is that I buy each volume, read it, then mail it to her. She gets to keep them all because I love her and she deserves it. Her parents are not readers (gasp) so it’ll be nice to have this connection.
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,223 reviews3,330 followers
August 16, 2021
"Sometimes I forget I'm not the only hopeless dork in the world."

Phoebe's character speaks a lot about my childhood days. And what more do I need to explain why I want continue with this middle grade graphic novel series?

Of course, there's the unicorn 😋
Profile Image for Billie.
930 reviews95 followers
May 23, 2015
69-73. The spelling bee. "Pyrrhic". Ironic. So. Much. Funny. In just four short pages. And the whole book is like that--full of jokes that will fly right over the heads of most of its targeted readership, but will make adults gigglesnort. Also, unicorns appear to be a bit like Pirates in that everything they do--magic, snark, manipulation, what-have-you--is explained simply as "Unicorn."

"Unicorns are more powerful than tater tots!"

I want volume three nownownow.

Please?
Profile Image for La Coccinelle.
2,255 reviews3,569 followers
March 20, 2019
I think I may have enjoyed this second installment about Phoebe and Marigold's adventures as much as the first!

A year after their first meeting, Phoebe and Marigold are still best friends. In this book, there are a few continuous stories that run for many panels (such as trying to buy a Christmas present for a unicorn, the incident with Lord Splendid Humility's birthday party, and the school play about insects and candy), along with a number of freestanding panels that are pretty funny all on their own.

As in the first book, the back of this one has some instructions for drawing Phoebe and Marigold (facial expressions this time), as well as instructions for unicorn poop cookies and some origami. I could do without these little extras, but I'm sure some readers love them.

I guess it's time to seek out the third book in the series. I'm really enjoying these so far!

Quotable moment:

Profile Image for Diana Flores.
728 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2022
Reading about the adventures of Phoebe and her unicorn (Margold Heavenly Nostrils) makes me laugh out loud. Great humor. Relatable characters. I also enjoy the pages with Phoebe's parents. I've been reading the series out of order and may be close to having read them all now that I finished book #2.
Profile Image for Darla.
4,452 reviews1,080 followers
February 13, 2018
This second installment in the Heavenly Nostrils series was even better than the first. Phoebe enjoys the holidays, gives and receives valentines, attends a unicorn birthday party, tries out for the lead in the class play, rollerskates with Marigold and more. Every day is better with a unicorn.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
601 reviews11 followers
February 5, 2017
Love this cute graphic novel. Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils are awesome!
Profile Image for Kerri.
1,070 reviews468 followers
February 4, 2018
Absolutely loved this! I've been flipping back through it and chuckling at whichever random page I land on. Funny and insightful, I enjoyed this as much as the first.
Profile Image for Philip.
1,660 reviews106 followers
February 6, 2020
My son who works at Barnes & Noble rather sheepishly brought this home and said I should take a look at it. And while at first glance it does look way too "My Little Pony," it was actually pretty funny.

Pheobe and her unicorn Marigold are frequently and unavoidably compared to that other famous comic duo, Calvin and Hobbes, which is unfortunate because that is just a no-win comparison on almost every level. Simpson is a gifted writer and artist - but is she nowhere near the genius Bill Watterson was, (Watterson's Sunday pages in particular were often artistic masterworks).

That said, reading Unicorn made me realize just how dated "Calvin" is. Not in the humor or artwork - that stands up remarkably well - but more as a reflection of how the world has changed. There is no internet in "Calvin;" no videogames. Indeed, "Calvin" could almost exist in Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" universe as much or even more than he belongs in the 21st Century, (Watterson stopped drawing "Calvin" in 1995 - a quarter of a century ago!). Calvin still plays outside, goes exploring, build snowmen - things I haven't seen kids doing in our Northern Virginia neighborhood in nearly a decade.

So...I guess my point is that if you want to see what "Calvin & Hobbes" would look like in today's world of smartphones, videogames and online everything, "Pheobe and Her Unicorn" is about as close as you're ever going to get. And that's not at all a bad thing. I'm only giving it 4 stars because I just couldn't put it on the same lofty plane as C&H.
Profile Image for Melissa McShane.
Author83 books846 followers
October 7, 2020
A few weeks ago I went on an online book buying spree and decided, since I'd loved the first of these collections, I'd see about getting the whole series. Now I read one when I need something lighter as a mental break. The second Phoebe and Her Unicorn book is as delightful as the first, and I'm always particularly tickled by the portrayal of her parents, who are presumably about my age and in the same nerdy demographic. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Nina Miteva.
353 reviews44 followers
March 19, 2015
Full review/Цялото ревю -

I received a review copy from Netgally in exchange of an honest review.

After-read thoughts:
I am so in love with this.
I spent the last week going around and telling literally everyone I met I'm reading a book about unicorns that read through osmosis and they were all " This is so freaking cool! I've always wanted to be a unicorn!". Yup, reading via osmosis is every student's dream.
But I am speeding up too much. To put everything in order: few things you should know - 1) this is a comic stips book, 2)it follows the daily life of Phoebe and the Unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils and 3) it is absolutely awesome. Both Phoebe and Marigold are such sweet characters, the perfect mix of girly, adventurous and dorky that is impossible not to love. And not only the main duo is worth the praise - I loved each and every character in the book. Phoebe's parents were one of the best things in the book, but also Max (the spelling partner and maybe something more?), Dacota the arch-enemy, and most definitely Marigold's timid Valantine ( a unicorn so humble he will feel so badly for showing off if we even speak his name here!) - they all built such a wonderful background.
While meant for younger audience and featuring a 4th grader and her life and worries, the book is by far reliable and enjoyable for all ages. Maybe different ages will appreciate different bits of the humour and the situations, but everyone will find something to love and to make him smile. It was such a wonderful tale, bringing together all of the modern daily life (technology + unicorn = awesome) and the important things - friendship, family and spending time sometimes to gaze the night sky.

Since it is a comic book, few words for the art are due. I absolutely loved it. It is simple, adorable and full-colour beauty. Marigold's design I enjoyed the most, especially the scenes where she was wearing something -it's as cute as it gets! And yes, those rollers are fascinating :D

And just when you think it just can't get any better, with all the unicorns, the osmosis and all the lines I want to quote... here comes the unicorn poop cookies recepe. Now my life is full. I am so making those. Just give me a free weekend and I will be handling those cookies everywhere. Along with a recommendation of course, to basically everyone. 9 to 12 is such an underestimation. If you're awesome enough, you're bound to like this book. 5 stars, multicolour and sparkling like a unicorn trail.

~~~
Следпрочитно:
Влюбена съм в тази книга.
Цялата последна седмица съм обикаляла наоколо да разгласявам на всеки, който иска или не иска да ме слуша, че чета книга за еднорози, които могат да четат чрез осмоза. Аз вече твърдо реших, че искам да съм еднорог. Това определено е съкровената мечта на всеки студент. А споменах ли, че пращат смс-и по телепатия?
Но, отплеснах се, нека да говорим по същество :D
Да подредим малко нещата. Ето три факта, които е добре да знаете за тази книга - 1) това е колекция от кратки комикс историйки, 2) разказва приключенията на четвъртокласничка и нейният еднорог и 3) абсолютно разкошно е.
Фийби и Невенчето (да, много си харесвам превода, хич и не ми го пипайте :D Оставям си го така) се оказаха изключително сладки герои, олицетворения на приключенския и момичешки дух във всичките му форми. Просто няма как човек да не заобича нърди Фийбито и нахаканото Невенче. Но - бонус - не само главните герои си заслужават! Дакота, архи-врагът на Фийби, Макс - другарчето, евентуално повече от другарче, и най-вече родителите на Фийби са истински открития. О, о, и да не забравя тайната валентинка на Невенче - един толкова срамежлив еднорог, който няма да споменем поименно тук, за да не го засрамим. Голяма душка е, наистина.
Тази книжка е теоретично предназначена за прогимназиална аудитория... но това не трябва да спира никого. По принцип единственото, което ме спира да ползвам услугите за малолетни, са ограниченията за ръст и тегло, а тук не само, че няма кой да ти викне "Хей! Твърде дебел си вече, за да четеш тази книга!", но и мисля, че почти всеки ще си хареса нещичко. Умиления по годините в училище (ъ?), ретро уклоните на Невенче, или съпричастие за трудностите, които срещат родителите на Фийби - е, не е честно да те баннват от всеки родителски форум с обвинението, че си измисляш проблемите, които имате с домашния еднорог! Освен това комбинациите на технологии плюс еднорози са изключително печеливши. И... има супер сладки сцени за приятелството между Фийби и Невенче. Става ти едно такова миличко.

Тъй като става дума за комикс, артът също не може да се пренебрегне. Стилът на авторката е семпъл и ярък и различните вариации - като муцки и дрехи - на Фийби и Невенчето са много сполучливи. Еднорог с гащи. И еднорог с ролери.

И най-накрая... когато човек си мисли, че след осмозата, еднорозите, и всички реплики, които искам да цитирам - нещата просто няма как да станат по-добре... Оказва се че могат. Как? С курабийки "Еднорожки барабонки". Има приложена рецепта. Само ми дайте един свободен следобед, и ще ме видите после да раздавам преработени дъги.
Тази кинжка определено заслужава пет звезди, многоцветни и блещукащи, все едно тъкмо излезли изпод еднорожка опашка.
Profile Image for Melanie.
364 reviews81 followers
July 1, 2018
Thank you netgalley for giving me a copy in exchange of a honest review!

This was so. Much. Fun. Honestly I did not expect this book to be that amazing. The story was well-written, the characters wonderful and the writing was on point. This was by far one of the funniest book I've read this year! We need more middle-grade books like that!
Profile Image for Ksenia.
823 reviews196 followers
Read
June 27, 2016
I wish I had a friend like Marigold Heavenly Nostrils growing up! This series is adorable and heartwarming and funny and just pure delight!
Profile Image for LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions).
1,159 reviews25 followers
January 1, 2025
Christmas is coming up, and, after much deliberation, Phoebe finally figures out the perfect present to give Marigold. Then we've got Valentine's Day - Phoebe has a bit of a crush on her spelling partner, Max, and she's surprised when she learns Marigold has a crush of her own, on a unicorn named Lord Splendid Humility. Phoebe meets even more unicorns when she's invited to Lord Splendid Humility's birthday party.

I really enjoyed the first volume, but I think this series truly clicked for me during the Christmas portion of this volume. It showed a lot of heart and demonstrated that Phoebe and Marigold have had an impact on each other.

I loved the introduction of Lord Splendid Humility and getting to see other unicorns.

All in all, this was a great second volume.

Extras:

An introduction by Lauren Faust, a guide to drawing facial expressions, instructions for making sparkly unicorn poop cookies, and instructions for making an origami horse face.

(Original review posted on .)
Profile Image for Jasmine.
Author1 book141 followers
March 30, 2018
Reminds me strongly of reading Calvin and Hobbes collections, both in the aesthetic (art and storytelling both) and in the way arcs are structured. Each page has a stand alone punchline, there are more showy "weekend" strips, and arcs that run over a week or two.

It should be noted that this is not a negative thing at all. Calvin and Hobbes but with smartphones and unicorns, and the main character's parents can see the main character's mythical friend? EXCELLENT.
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,248 reviews2,057 followers
October 8, 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 Bailey.
13 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2019
I like the book better. they're getting ready to drive their bikes and skates
Profile Image for dani .
8 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2020
Me pareció un libro precioso. Solo que la historia no me pareció tan interesante y detallada como el primer libro. El primer libro tampoco tiene mucho detalle,pero ambos me parecieron lindos libros. 4 estrellas sólo porque la historia no me pareció tan enganchante.
Profile Image for Claire Geraghty.
109 reviews5 followers
June 1, 2021
Another great read! I love these kind of graphics novels. Easy to read and full of funny moments. Had me relating to some of it to (but of course I haven’t got a unicorn so can’t really relate to that 🤣🤣). Looking forward to the next book.
910 reviews39 followers
May 12, 2016
Another delightful installment in this beautiful, hilarious, clever graphic novel series about a human child and her unicorn friend. A+ would read again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 393 reviews

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