Dana Simpson's "Camping With Unicorns"

Growing up is a lot easier – and a lot more fun – when you've got a unicorn pal.

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It might all seem like bubblegum and rainbows, but being a kid can be tough. Fitting in can feel challenging at times, but when the chips are down, you know what makes things better? Unicorns. While I'm more of a dinosaur guy, having a whimsical, mythological companion around sure seems like it comes with plenty of benefits. And for nine-year-old Phoebe, she's got just that in her best Unicorn friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils.

American cartoonist Dana Simpson came up with the idea for Phoebe and Marigold while working on another concept a little over a decade ago, but quickly retooled her idea into one featuring Phoebe and her steadfast unicorn companion. One day, while Phoebe is out skipping rocks, she sees a Unicorn who is utterly absorbed by her own reflection in the water. Phoebe accidentally hits her with a rock, and as a reward for breaking the spell, is offered a wish. The girl asks for Marigold to become her best friend, and the two quickly hit it off.

Simpson has had her daily strip, Phoebe and Her Unicorn, published online since 2012 and has been syndicated in over 100 newspapers; much of her work has been collected into bound volumes. The latest, Camping with Unicorns, sees Phoebe and Marigold tackle summer vacation and meet some new friends along the way. As is the norm for syndicated comic strips, there are plenty of standalone jokes that can be enjoyed in a few seconds, like the characters competing to see who can hula-hoop better, or trying to figure out a song stuck in their head.

But Camping with Unicorns also contains a few longer story arcs. A recurring theme is Phoebe trying to "reboot" her relationship with rival/frenemy Dakota, the popular girl at school. Dakota has her own definition of "cool," and it's one that Phoebe doesn't quite match. There are questions of identity, and if whether Phoebe should compromise on who she is. Is it even worth it to be one of the "cool" kids? But even as she puzzles through these questions, she and Marigold are always there to have some whimsical fun.

And Marigold sure brings some nifty perks to the table: a horn that has its own wi-fi and cellular signal! A horn that's great for roasting marshmallows! A magic spell that lets Marigold blend in while in public! Each daily shenanigan is captured with Simpson's bright and cheery illustrations, with magical sing-alongs or poker matches popping off the page for maximum effect. There are hurdles to overcome while growing up, but with a Unicorn pal, there's never a dull moment. But perhaps the highest compliment that I can give Phoebe and Her Unicorn is that, without breaking stride, it picks up the mantle left by Calvin and Hobbes and goes forward full tilt towards an exploration of childhood wonder and growth. But make no mistake: Phoebe and Marigold have an identity all their own.

Thank you to Cotton Tails, the place to find unique children's clothing and shoes, found in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, and Literacy Mid-South for sponsoring this children’s book review! Learn more about the various programs offered by Literacy Mid-South by visiting their site literacymidsouth.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @literacymidsouth.