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Table of Contents
About The Book
This New York Times bestseller is soon to be an animated series on Netflix!
In 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.
In 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.
About The Author
Photograph courtesy of Jon Banafato
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, Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies, Spencer’s New Pet, Jules vs. the Ocean, Hardly Haunted, Weather Together, Cookie Time, and Love, Z. You can visit them at JessieSima.com.
About The Illustrator
Photograph courtesy of Jon Banafato
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, Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies, Spencer’s New Pet, Jules vs. the Ocean, Hardly Haunted, Weather Together, Cookie Time, and Love, Z. You can visit them at JessieSima.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (February 14, 2017)
- Length: 40 pages
- ISBN13: 9781481469098
- Grades: P - 3
- Ages: 4 and up
- Lexile ® AD590L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
- Fountas & Pinnell™ L These books have been officially leveled by using the F&P Text Level Gradient™ Leveling System
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Raves and Reviews
"The message is an appealing one that could speak to many family situations relating to multiple identities...feel-good story"
– Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2016
"Adorable characters trigger smiles throughout"
– Publisher's Weekly, December 2016
"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, January 2017
"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, January 2017
"Sima’s bubbly, adorable artwork is nearly irresistible...This endearing tale will warm many a heart."
– Booklist, January 2017
"This book is painfully adorable...The story is about finding your own way to belong,..It's just beautiful.”
– Shelf Awareness Pro, January 24, 2017
Awards and Honors
- CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle
- Georgia Children's Book Award
- Buckeye Children's Book Award (OH)
- Georgia Children's Book Award Finalist
- Ladybug Award (NH)
- Wisconsin State Reading Association's Reading List
- Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee (MD)
- Beehive Award Nominee
Resources and Downloads
Activity Sheets
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Not Quite Narwhal Hardcover 9781481469098
- Author Photo (jpg): Jessie Sima Photograph courtesy of Jon Banafato(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
