Unicorn vs. Goblins

May 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-Phoebe and her beautiful unicorn friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, have all summer to go to camp and solve mysteries together. Music camp is full of new friends-a funky yet friendly clarinet player for Phoebe, and the lake monster for Marigold. Of course, there are updates from Phoebe's frenemy, Dakota, whose hair Marigold magically cursed. Summer must come to an end, and Phoebe and Marigold attend school. Marigold, in an effort to help Phoebe become popular (or at least avoid anonymity) turns off her Shield of Boringness so all Phoebe's classmates can see her unicorn best friend. Finally, Phoebe and Marigold must save Dakota from the goblins, who have taken her hostage. The adventures of Phoebe and Marigold are just as amusing and eclectic as they sound. The pace is quick, almost to the point of being frenzied and unfocused. However, it fits the characters, who are engaging enough to make up for any flaws. The illustrations are quirky, and Simpson expertly places the characters in a real world setting. VERDICT Middle grade readers will find Phoebe and Marigold to be an exciting duo and will probably want a pet unicorn of their own. Purchase where this series is popular.-Morgan Brickey, Arlington Public Library, TX

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2015
In this third installment, Phoebe and her unicorn find themselves encountering yet more whimsical hilarity. With school giving way to summer, precocious Phoebe and her utterly narcissistic unicorn best friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, learn they will be attending music camp. At Camp Wolfgang, Phoebe meets Sue, who may--or may not--be perkily homicidal and who ultimately becomes her new best (human) friend. Phoebe also meets Marigold's sister, Florence Unfortunate Nostrils, so named for her ability to sneeze spiders. In the titular episode, Phoebe must rescue her frenemy, Dakota, when she's kidnapped by goblins attracted to her enchanted hair. Throughout all their adventures, Phoebe maintains her wide-eyed innocence as a foil to Marigold's snarky arrogance. While the volume covers a specific linear time period, from summer to fall, the vignettes feel loose and disjointed, and they are often punctuated by shorter interstitials; the extended antics aren't enough to provide cohesion. However, the dreamy candy-colored sparkle-filled panels starring a giggle-worthy, pompous unicorn may be too much for some to resist. Fans of the series may appreciate its untiring comedic banter, but the endless sparkles and running jokes start to lose a bit of their luster, making this feel a bit like a one-trick pony--er, unicorn. (Graphic fantasy. 7-12)

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