Not Quite Narwhal (Not Quite Narwhal and Friends) (Hardcover)
Staff Reviews
This book is a true treasure. This book has become one of our store's staples, and it is not only iconic, but presents a fantastic message about loving yourself just as you are, however that may be! Kelp the unicorn lives under the sea with his narwhal family, feeling quite at home and assuming he is just like them. But one day Kelp sees someone just like him—a land narwhal!! (unicorn!)—and Kelp becomes keenly aware that he is a bit different from everyone else. Kelp takes a journey of self-acceptance, and learns that you can be part of more than one world and still be loved for who you are. A picture book masterpiece!!!
Be sure to check out Jessie Sima's other books and follow their work as obsessively as I do! Check out Harriet Gets Carried Away, Love Z, Spencer's New Pet, and pre-order Jules Vs. The Ocean!!
(Picture Book, ages 3+) — Find more Staff Picks by Iz
— IzIn the tradition of Uni the Unicorn and Gaston, this heartwarming and adorable debut picture book tells the story of a young unicorn who was born under the sea to a family of narwhals.
Growing up in the ocean, Kelp has always assumed that he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he’s always been a little bit different—his tusk isn’t as long, he’s not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn’t enjoy the cuisine. Then one night, an extra strong current sweeps Kelp to the surface, where he spots a mysterious creature that looks just like him! Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. The revelation leaves him torn: is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? But perhaps, if Kelp is clever, he may find a way to have the best of both worlds.
Told with heartwarming illustrations and spare, sweet text, Jessie Sima’s debut picture book is about fitting in, standing out, and the all-encompassing love of family.
Jessie Sima is an author/illustrator living and working in New York City. They grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey, unaware that they were a storyteller. Once they figured it out, they told their family and friends, who took it quite well. They are the author of Not Quite Narwhal; Harriet Gets Carried Away; Love, Z; Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies; Spencer’s New Pet; Jules vs. the Ocean; Hardly Haunted; and Weather Together. You can visit them at JessieSima.com.
— Kirkus Reviews
"Adorable characters trigger smiles throughout"
— Publisher's Weekly
"A storyteller’s pacing and winning characters, resulting in an appealing book. Read it for a whimsical storytime or provide some text-to-text connections for older students with Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Uni the Unicorn and Bob Shea’s Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great....this title is highly recommended."
— School Library Journal
"Swap the tired Ugly Duckling for this delightfully absurd tale of knowing who you are and where you came from."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Sima’s bubbly, adorable artwork is nearly irresistible...This endearing tale will warm many a heart."
— Booklist
"This book is painfully adorable...The story is about finding your own way to belong,..It's just beautiful.”
— Shelf Awareness Pro
![Franklin Smoke: Wood. Fire. Food. [A Cookbook] By Aaron Franklin, Jordan Mackay Cover Image](jpg/9781984860484.jpg)
