Phoebe and Her Unicorn – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
book2022Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life
90%
WISE Score
4.8
Amazon
A fourth-grader and her magnificently vain unicorn BFF navigate school, spells, and the chaos of a magical tornado—Calvin and Hobbes meets My Little Pony.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
book
2022, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life
90%
WISE Score
4.8
Amazon
A fourth-grader and her magnificently vain unicorn BFF navigate school, spells, and the chaos of a magical tornado—Calvin and Hobbes meets My Little Pony.
Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.
Screenwise Verdict
This is one of those rare kids' series that actually deserves its hype. Simpson's created something that feels like a spiritual successor to Calvin and Hobbes—a neurotic, relatable kid paired with a magical companion who's equal parts wise and ridiculous.
The magic here isn't just in the unicornados and goblin transformations (though those are delightful). It's in how the series captures the actual texture of being nine: feeling invisible at school, navigating friendship drama, surviving boring dances, wanting to be special. Phoebe's anxious-but-game personality will resonate with a lot of kids, and Marigold's narcissism is pitch-perfect comic relief.
Parents consistently report this gets reluctant readers reading, which alone makes it valuable. But it's also just well-written, genuinely funny, and sneakily educational with its vocabulary. If your kid is in that 7-10 range and you're looking for something that bridges picture books and novels, this is a no-brainer.
Age Fit
Sweet spot is 7-12, especially for kids transitioning to chapter books or who resist traditional novels. The comic format and accessible humor make it perfect for emerging readers, while the clever wordplay keeps older elementary kids engaged. Teens won't reach for it unless they're nostalgic or reading with younger siblings.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88
A warm, genuinely funny series about friendship between a nine-year-old girl and her narcissistic-but-lovable unicorn. Models cooperation, celebrates quirky individuality, and handles everyday social challenges (school dances, friendships, self-doubt) with heart and humor. The tone is consistently kind without being saccharine, and Marigold's self-absorption is played for laughs rather than as a negative trait to emulate. Parent reviews confirm it has 'heart' and gets kids reading.
Imaginative
92
Absolutely bursting with creativity—unicornados, goblin transformations, talking birds, pixies, sphinxes, and magical glens appearing in suburban homes. The premise itself (skipping a rock that hits a unicorn in the face) is wonderfully absurd. Simpson's world-building invites kids to imagine their own magical scenarios while grounding the fantasy in relatable school-life situations. The comic strip format with expressive art encourages visual literacy and creative thinking.
Safe
95
Extremely safe content for the target age range. No violence, mature themes, or inappropriate content. One parent review on Good Book Mom expressed concern about Phoebe's occasional mild sass or attitude, but Common Sense Media parent reviews are overwhelmingly positive with no safety red flags. The series uses 'surprisingly advanced words' which is educational rather than problematic. Books are inherently low-risk media with no ads, monetization, or social features.
Enriching
85
Gets reluctant readers hooked—a huge win. Introduces advanced vocabulary naturally through context. Explores genuine friendship dynamics, self-acceptance, and navigating social situations with humor and insight. The graphic novel format builds visual literacy and sequential thinking. While it's primarily entertainment (which is valuable), it does offer meaningful takeaways about being yourself, handling insecurity, and appreciating friends who are different from you. Multiple parent reviews specifically note it 'gets kids into reading.'
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Genuinely funny writing that works for kids AND adults—rare for graphic novels aimed at this age
Gets reluctant readers hooked with accessible comic format and laugh-out-loud humor
Celebrates quirky friendship and being yourself without getting preachy about it
Introduces advanced vocabulary naturally (parents note the surprisingly sophisticated word choices)
Magical chaos grounded in real kid problems: lame school dances, friendship drama, feeling ordinary
⚠
What to Watch For
Marigold the unicorn is hilariously self-absorbed—kids get that it's the joke, but very young readers might not catch the irony
Phoebe occasionally has mild sass or attitude that one conservative parent reviewer flagged, though most find it age-appropriate and realistic
The humor skews clever and sometimes absurdist—kids who prefer straightforward stories might need a few pages to get into the rhythm
Conversation Starters
"If you could have one magical creature as a best friend, what would you pick and why?"
"Marigold is pretty full of herself but Phoebe likes her anyway—do you have friends who are really different from you?"
"What would you wish for if you accidentally freed a unicorn from her own reflection?"
"Phoebe feels pretty ordinary sometimes—what makes you feel special or interesting?"
