Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle: 04/21/15

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle by Dana Simpson is a graphic novel about a girl and her unicorn. If you've seen the 1982 film adaptation of The Last Unicorn, you'll see a similarity in the art style. As the author's introduction explains, this work is her homage to Peter S. Beagle.

Phoebe is a modern day girl who goes to school and has homework and does chores. Now, she has a unicorn. The unicorn, meanwhile, is a vain, pampered, magical creature who has agreed to be this girl's best friend.

The gags fall under two main categories: the unicorn trying to understand Phoebe's world, and Phoebe trying and failing to impress her friends. There's a lot sly social and gender commentary that I didn't expect, given the very pink cover and the rather goofy title. Then there are the completely off the wall moments where fantasy and reality meet in unexpected ways.

Four stars

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