Not Quite Narwhal (Not Quite Narwhal and Friends)

This is a very cute book. They is a very good author illustrator. My 6-year-old started watching the Not quite narwhal Netflix series and I had to get the book. I like the origin story of Kelp a little bit better in the book, however it is strange that in the book his head bubble remains even when on land. The story is cute. About a unicorn born in the water who doesn't quite fit in with the Narwhals. He discovers unicorns on land but doesn't quite fit in there. In the end he might just be able to have it all.

Kelp we are told, was born deep in the ocean and looks remarkably similar to his friends–similar that is, yet different. There is this odd (but charmingly drawn) bubble around his head, and his body isn’t shaped exactly the same way as everybody else’s. He doesn’t like the same foods and doesn’t excel at the same things his friends do either. The great thing is though, nobody cares! His friends, all narwhals, love him just the way he is.One day, Kelp gets caught up in a current that takes him far away from his narwhal friends to a land where he discovers others, unicorns, who look and act just like him. They also embrace him and teach him everything they know.Kelp now has a choice. Does he stay with the unicorns or go back to the narwhals? You’ll be happy to know, Kelp embraces both his identities, and, lives happily ever after.Sima’s illustrations are elegant and, dare I say sweet. I usually loathe to use the word sweet because it kind of sticks in your mouth and leaves that sugary aftertaste. But not Sima’s illustrations. They invoke a warmth that leaves you feeling secure and in your happy place. As if by magic (because I know it’s really hard work and talent), she bridges the gap between traditional and modern illustration blending the styles and creating vivid images that are soft, welcoming, yet slightly edgy. Her use of lighting (see image below) is particularly striking.Aimed primarily at the four to eight-year-old crowd, this book is going to stay on my bookshelf for a long time. There is much to unpack in it and many levels to analyze.Different is good, self-acceptance is good, acceptance of others is good, all of these themes are packed into a sweet, never before told story. And, as the child grows, the allegories can grow with the child; from a simple story of accepting a child who is different (race, color, nationality, creed, etc.) to a broader story identity and self. By the way, there is a special surprise on the end papers of this book. I don’t want to give it away, but it does involve a rhinoceros.

This is the best children’s book. The kids love it, we love it. I buy it as gift as much as possible and receive raving reviews every time.

I'm a teacher and fell in love with this cute narwal unicorn book. It's become a staple in my own home and I haven't met anyone who doesn't love this book! It's a book that has a great message and is fun to read and makes adults and kids smile! I found this book almost six years ago in the library and I loved it so much that it had to become part of my book collection! I wish it came as a cardboard book because we read it so often. You can incorporate colors and numbers easily on almost every page to make students interact with the book while you read.

Really sweet story, a little bit funny, beautiful pictures. It's pleasant to read to your kid over and over.

Not Quite Narwhal begins with a dazzling cover that glitters and sparkles. Inside, a harmonious blend of brilliant colors depicted in soft hues portray an enchanting array of creatures and places: rainbow fish and silver-white jellyfish, flitting through a pale blue sea; round white eyes, floating in the darkness of night; and vibrant butterflies flitting over jade colored fields.Kelp is a darling unicorn with his turquoise hair, bubblegum pink nose, and spotted rump. Whether he's wearing floaties in the sea, leaping like a frog on land, or splashing around beneath a rainbow, Kelp is the cutest not-quite-narwhal. His journey is visually gratifying as he ventures from the cozy, lavender confines of the shell he lives in beneath the sea to a sun-dappled forest. He treks through a moonlit night with twinkling stars, to a rainbow laden field where butterflies flit and flowers sprout in red and pink, yellow and purple.After his sojourn on land, Kelp is confronted with a difficult question:"Did he want to be a land narwhal with the unicorns . . .Or a sea unicorn with the narwhals?Kelp couldn't decide."Touching on identity and fitting in vs. standing out, Kelp is the perfect role model for learning to love oneself and appreciating that our individual traits make each of us unique and special.With a heartfelt message, ravishing illustrations, and a sprinkle of humor, Not Quite Narwhal is a must have.

Somehow an adorable young Unicorn ended up in the sea and raised by Narwhals. He doesn't realize though he isn't a narwhal until he goes an adventure and ends up on land. Where he finds animals just like himself, Unicorns. In the end, the little unicorn finds a way where he can live the best of both worlds with his refound family and his adopted Narwhal family.We have a bit of theme in our house of unicorns, as my daughter loves them. However this is one we bought before Maggie was born for my son as the premise of Narwhals sounded so fun. This is a book that comes back from time to time in our rotation. My son really enjoyed it when he was pretty young (2/3 years). It has beautiful and super adorbable illustrations. With some humor as the little unicorn tries to learn how to walk on land, first imitating a crab but finally getting it right by copying the turtle.

We love this book in our house and have given it as a gift numerous times. Kelp's journey of self-discovery and openness to inclusion echos through so many areas of our kids' lives at multiple life stages.

"Not quite Narwhal" es una historia muy tierna acerca de aceptar y ser aceptado a pesar de nuestras diferencias. Las ilustraciones dan un toque alegre y humorístico a la historia, y es un nuevo favorito en nuestro hogar.

I first saw this book in Germany (Das kleine Walhorn) and immediately loved the cover and story. I ordered it in English the same day, it has since arrived and it is just about the loveliest picture book I've ever seen. My son (nearly 6) has dozens, if not hundreds, of picture books but this is definitely one of my favourites. The illustrations are pretty and lovingly done, with some funny details that my son loves. The story is very positive, no one's nasty or unfriendly, it's just about little Kelp deciding what his place in life is. Since my son has dual nationality, I liked the message of the book that you don't have to choose between different identities, that you can be both. All in all, an excellent debut book that I recommend highly.

I gift not quite narwhal to all the little loves in my life. Such a beautiful message. The first time I gifted this it was for a little boy in my preschool class moving to a new town, this book told the story of the little narwhal making new friends in his new home, but always feeling loved and welcomed where he came from.

Sweet little story with unicorns, narwhals and rainbows

We LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!! It is beautifully written and the illustrations are amazing! The prefect present!