Hattie K reviewed Not quite narwhal by Jessie Sima
Fantasy - Not Quite Narwhal
4 stars
Jessie Sima's Not Quite Narwhal is a sweet picture book for pre-K/Kindergarteners on fitting in and standing out. The story centers around Kelp, a unicorn born in the deep ocean and raised by a family of narwhals. Kelp knows he doesn't quite fit in with his narwhal friends, but they accept him just as he is. One day, though, he's swept close to land where he discovers land narwhals, who call themselves unicorns but look just like Kelp! Is Kelp a land narwhal? Or a sea unicorn? Or can he find a way to bring both of his worlds together?
I found this charming picture book on Book Riot's 50 Must-Read Fantasy Books for Kids list (bookriot.com/best-fantasy-books-for-kids/). The illustrations are charming, and while the characters are all animals (unicorns and narwhals), it's a visually appealing book that creates natural space for conversation about identity and belonging at a …
Jessie Sima's Not Quite Narwhal is a sweet picture book for pre-K/Kindergarteners on fitting in and standing out. The story centers around Kelp, a unicorn born in the deep ocean and raised by a family of narwhals. Kelp knows he doesn't quite fit in with his narwhal friends, but they accept him just as he is. One day, though, he's swept close to land where he discovers land narwhals, who call themselves unicorns but look just like Kelp! Is Kelp a land narwhal? Or a sea unicorn? Or can he find a way to bring both of his worlds together?
I found this charming picture book on Book Riot's 50 Must-Read Fantasy Books for Kids list (bookriot.com/best-fantasy-books-for-kids/). The illustrations are charming, and while the characters are all animals (unicorns and narwhals), it's a visually appealing book that creates natural space for conversation about identity and belonging at a preschool & early elementary age level. Mostly, I think it's a cute picture book that would appeal to those who happen to love all things unicorns and rainbows. I can see why it was turned into a 2 season Netflix show!
With older kids and even teens, I could see using this story as a jump-off point for a writing assignment on belonging, with the following options as prompts - "Kelp's narwhal friends love him exactly as he is. Write about a time someone celebrated something about you even though it was "different." Or, write about a time you celebrated something about a friend that was "different." OR "Write about something that makes you unique and how you celebrate this part of your identity."