Phoebe and Her Unicorn
DANA SIMPSON
Age Range: 7 to 12
Lexile Measure: 390 (What’s this?)
Series: Phoebe and Her Unicorn (Book 1)
Pages: 222
Type: Comics Collection
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 9781449446208
A boy and his dog . . . a girl and her . . . unicorn?
It all started when a girl named Phoebe skipped a rock across a pond and accidentally hit a unicorn in the face. Improbably, this led to Phoebe being granted one wish, and she used it to make the unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, her obligational best friend. But can a vain mythical beast and a nine-year-old daydreamer really forge a connection? Indeed they can, and that’s how Phoebe and Her Unicorn unfolds.
This beautifully drawn comic strip follows the unlikely friendship between a somewhat awkward girl and the magic unicorn who gradually shows her just how special she really is. Through hilarious adventures where Phoebe gets to bask in Marigold’s “awesomeness,” the friends also come to acknowledge that they had been lonely before they met and truly appreciate the bond they now share.
“…a hilarious, sweet, and unsentimental story…”
— Cory Doctorow, author of Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom and Little Brother
“…unique and witty …”
— School Library Journal
“… nothing less than the best comic strip to come along since Calvin and Hobbes …”
— Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn
“Hilarious and Smart.”
— GeekDad
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. From 1998 to 2008, she drew the internet comic strip Ozy and Millie. After winning the Amazon-sponsored Comic Strip Superstar Contest in 2009, Andrews McMeel Syndication signed her to a development deal for Heavenly Nostrils, which was later renamed Phoebe and Her Unicorn.
She currently lives in Santa Barbara, California, with her tech genius spouse and her fairly stupid cat.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn: Teaching Guide
This guide pairs with any Phoebe and Her Unicorn book and includes:
• a variety of lessons
• clear instructions
• corresponding activity sheets
• extended reading and writing prompts
…making teaching a zap! Trotting through the pages with Phoebe and Marigold, students will build vocabulary, analyze text and characters, hone essay writing skills, and engage in creative writing, classroom discussions, and group and individual projects.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
Grade Levels: 3-7
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts
Students will read Phoebe and Her Unicorn and then will make some magic of their own through writing exercises and vocabulary-building activities.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Unicorn of a Friend Celebration
Phoebe and Marigold celebrate their 10th anniversary and you can too! Grab one of your besties for a friendship art project making mini unicorns for each other. They’re small enough to take anywhere as a reminder of your one-of-a-kind, unicorn-like friend.
Create Your Own Cartoon Strip with Phoebe and Her Unicorn
Phoebe and Her Unicorn is a beloved and bestselling series about finding friendship in the most unlikely places. Middle-grade readers will follow Phoebe, a somewhat awkward girl, as she forges a powerful bond with a vainglorious unicorn who shows her just how special she really is (after getting over the whole hit-in-the-face-with-a-rock thing, that is). This free printable create-a-comic activity template opens up a world of artistic possibility for middle-graders. They can create their own magical best friend and become the inventors of their own fantastical tale of friendship. As they work on this activity, encourage students to think critically about what makes their real-life friendships special.
Making friends has never been modeled so beautifully as it is in Dana Simpson’s magical series. After reading all about Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, readers can create their own magical BFFs in the very same illustrated comic style. Readers will join Phoebe and Marigold in discovering each other’s awesomeness, coming to appreciate their own as a result. Download this free printable create-a-comic activity and guide your students through imagining, drawing, and writing their own version of a Phoebe and Her Unicorn cartoon strip. This activity is a great creative exercise, but it also instills a deeper understanding of the importance of friendship, no matter what differences you may have.
Also Part of This Series
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Unicorn Famous: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryUnicorn Famous: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Virtual Unicorn Experience: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryVirtual Unicorn Experience: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Camping with Unicorns: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryCamping with Unicorns: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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The Unicorn Whisperer: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryThe Unicorn Whisperer: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Unicorn Bowling: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryUnicorn Bowling: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Phoebe and Her Unicorn in Unicorn Theater GalleryPhoebe and Her Unicorn in Unicorn Theater
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Unicorn of Many Hats: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryUnicorn of Many Hats: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm GalleryPhoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Rainy Day Unicorn Fun: A Phoebe and Her Unicorn Activity Book GalleryRainy Day Unicorn Fun: A Phoebe and Her Unicorn Activity Book
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Unicorn Crossing: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryUnicorn Crossing: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Razzle Dazzle Unicorn: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryRazzle Dazzle Unicorn: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Unicorn vs. Goblins: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryUnicorn vs. Goblins: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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Unicorn on a Roll: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure GalleryUnicorn on a Roll: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure
written and illustrated by Dana Simpson
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