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Not Quite Narwhal
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
41 posts | 48 read | 39 to read
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, hes always been a little bit differenthis tusk isnt as long, hes not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesnt 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 Simas debut picture book is about fitting in, standing out, and the all-encompassing love of family.
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Brooke_H
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Come-read-with-me
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

Another installment of the unicorn chronicles that I‘m reading to my nieces. This story is a delightful journey about a little narwhal who learns that he is really a unicorn. He learns to blend his ‘land narwhal‘ and ‘sea unicorn‘ families in a wonderful way. A big hit with my unicorn loving nieces!

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faelinwolf
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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On my way home from selling books at Half Price Books yesterday, I saw a sign for a Scholastic Book Fair sale at a hotel! I got some of my recent favorite picture books and all this was less than $20. 😀❤😀❤😀

KristenDuck A Unicorn Named Sparkle is SO sweet 6y
SamHeartCoffee Yay Unicorns! 6y
faelinwolf @KristenDuck I agree! I love unicorns & goats, so it's an easy favorite! 😊 6y
faelinwolf @SamHeartCoffee I didn't realize quite how unicorn-y my purchases were until right now! 😆 6y
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giont
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima is super cute and one of my favorites! Kelp is a little different. He was born in the ocean, he grows up with narwhals, thinking he is one! Until one day he encounters a creature that looks just like him. Kelp discovers who he is, and who he wants to be. Does he wanna be a land narwhal with the unicorns? Or a sea unicorn with the narwhals? Stay tuned. You‘ll find out during my storytelling in class!

giont With that being said, I would use this book as S in my future classroom. This book has its own website (which is so cute) that has different resources to use. https://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/notquitenarwhal/index.html UDL principles 1.1 (offer ways of customizing the display of information) & 3.3 (guide information processing and visualization) align with this story. Along with ESOL strategies 5 (teach technical vocabulary supporting 6y
giont key concepts) I would point out what a tusk and horn are before storytelling the book, and also provide visuals so students are aware when they see it. 17 (Provide contextual support through audio usuals, models, demonstrations, realia, body language and facial expressions) and 20 (list the most important words or phrases you use or plan to use in a presentation on a transparency or on the chalkboard). #LAE3414sp19 6y
gnewman @giont you described this cute book so well! Now I want to go read it! Also, I like how your resource is a trailer for the book!! That'll be really appealing to students! 6y
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taywise393 This book sounds super cute I want to read it!! I love how you tied it in with a lesson with the tusk and horn, very smart! 6y
kkimmelman This looks like such a cute book! I need it for my classroom! I like your idea of pointing out key vocabulary words, as some students may not know their meanings. 6y
kelseymccormick @giont I have yet to read this but will most definitely be adding it to my TBR stack. I like how you added the website as your resource. Author and publisher sites provide high quality resources. Great job! 6y
SofiaRoselli This book looks so cute that I have to read it!! Your resources are super helpful to go along with the book as well! 6y
DrSpalding Your English learners strategies match beautifully with storytelling which you did so well. This is a wonderful story with a beautiful message. 6y
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KristieAK999
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
Pickpick

I super love this book! The art is sweet, too.

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Ireadkidlit
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Most are for the library, but I‘ve been wanting to read Mindy‘s book. My sweet sis #julsmarshall set me up with lots of other TBRs. #happysisday #bdayhaul #dontbugmeimreading

Julsmarshall I ❤️❤️❤️ this book @Ireadkidlit ! #happysistersday 6y
SamanthaMarie So fun!!! Happy Birthday and welcome again to Litsy. Hope you love it here. :) 6y
JackieSmith Not Quite Narwhal is a great read-aloud! 6y
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JackieSmith
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Last week my mom retired from teaching. I finished with my students the previous week; so I got to read to her 2nd graders on their last day of school. They were enchanted by the words, pictures, & message of this book. And they-unprompted by me-impromptu debated whether unicorns are myths or reality. I‘m looking forward to reading this with my 10th graders in the fall! #teachersoflitsy

Bette I loved this when it came across my desk. ❤️👍 6y
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JuliaTheBookNerd
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Such a cute book with such a cute title 💜 🦄 #FavoriteTitle 💜💜 #RIOTGRAMS

#BookNerd 📚💙

Soubhiville Adorable! 6y
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GatheringBooks
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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#EmojiMadness Day 28: There are quite a number of really good picturebooks with 🦄s in them. My favourite is the tagged book as it ingeniously weaves into identity formation, issues of belonging, and existential queries without it necessarily being way too heavy going for children. I like reflective picturebooks that challenge and provide spaces for the young reader to think differently about themselves and the world. And, yes, 🦄.

JoScho This one is cute! I have it in my classroom library. 🦄 7y
GatheringBooks @JoScho very nice! stacking it. love knowing more #TeachersOfLitsy alongside #LibrariansOfLitsy :) 7y
Chellebearss Thanks for sharing these! 7y
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JenniferMc
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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A (F) modern fantasy that tells the story about a unicorn named “Kelp” and the fact that he looked different from the narwhals he was born around. The story teaches us acceptance and compassion for those who may not quite fit a label that society places on us. This book touches my family on a deeper level because my children are mixed race. The story teaches us that it is OK not to fit a stereotype. #UCFLAE3414SP18

LisaMart Yay! I‘m so glad you checked this book out! It sends such a good message and the illustrations are adorable! It‘s one of my favorites that I‘ve added to my classroom library so far! 7y
JenniferMc A fun read along that works great with grades K-2. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=88hn62gD2c8. UDL 3.2 EL 3 Teaching strategy SR (edited) 7y
DrSpalding Again, check your rubric. I am so happy you were inspired to read this after Lisa shared the book and adorable bookmark made by @AshleyAA 💜📚 7y
JenniferMc @LisaMart Thank you for presenting this in class! I went home and ordered it on Amazon. I can‘t wait to add it to my classroom library. 7y
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AmandaFields
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Look at this adorable this picture book 🦄💙 It‘s about a unicorn born thinking he‘s a narwhal who isn‘t a good swimmer until he sees another unicorn on land

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LisaMart
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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This F book was recently recommended to me by a Showcase Presenter, & I absolutely fell in love with it. A baby unicorn that thinks it‘s a narwhal! Need I say more? It‘s not an award winner yet, but it should be! Jessie Sima tells a lovely story with adorable illustrations, about a unicorn named Kelp, who discovers he‘s not a narwhal after all, but thats ok! They accept his differences anyway, & in the end he gets to have the best of both worlds.

LisaMart Great book for RA to open the topic of differences in any kindergarten class, and it can also be tied to vocabulary and even the study of narwhals.

UDL: 1.3 & 2.3 EL: 3, 14, & 17
https://youtu.be/sMRATb5K3X0
#ucflae3414sp18
7y
Laura.S This book sounds so cute! I know that children love reading books with characters such as unicorns and narwhals so it definitely could work as a read aloud! Looks like something I would want to read. 7y
LisaMart @Laura.S It is so cute, and has a really good message to it. I hope you will check it out. If you click on my link you can watch a trailer of it, and you can also find videos of it being read aloud. 7y
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DrSpalding Sami would be so excited to know that you were inspired to read this book after her presentation. It is a story with the theme of inclusion. @AshleyAA made an amazing bookmark that represents the main character last semester! 7y
LisaMart @DrSpalding I bought this book and I was searching for a stuffed unicorn to go with it, but I can‘t find one that looks like Kelp. I saw the pic of the bookmark she made for it. Is she selling them? I would love to get one if she is! 7y
DrSpalding @AshleyAA I told you to start an Etsy shop! 🤣Would you make one for Lisa?🦄 How much? 7y
AshleyAA @LisaMart Of course we could make one for you! We‘re selling them for $5! Would you like it to be relatively identical to the one I posted or would you like to make any color changes? 7y
AshleyAA @LisaMart If so, just email us at ReadingBuddiez@gmail.com 7y
LisaMart @AshleyAA YAY! I totally want one. Relatively identical but can you make his mane and feet just aqua colored to resemble a little more like Kelp from the book? All of your bookmarks are awesome, so I‘ll definitely be hitting you up again in the future! Let me know what you would like me to do from here! Thank you!! (edited) 7y
AshleyAA @LisaMart Bookmark is done! We made it to directly represent the character Kelp. Is there any way to contact you directly to send you images? If you‘re happy with the results we can determine where to meet on campus for the exchange. (edited) 7y
LisaMart @AshleyAA That was so quick! I agree with @DrSpalding you need to start an Etsy shop! Yes, email me at martinslisamarie@gmail.com I‘m sure I‘ll love it! And I‘m on campus Monday and Tuesday‘s between 10:30-4:30 my first class let‘s out between 1-1:20pm. Let me know when and where u would like to meet up. Also, this Monday I have a TeachLive read aloud and should be done around 10-10:30am if you want to meet around then. (edited) 7y
LisaMart @DrSpalding @AshleyAA took a new picture for this post so I could show off my new Kelp book buddy!! I love him! Thank you so much Ashley for making him for me! 7y
DrSpalding I love him too! I am thrilled that I could connect the two of you. Ashley you are so talented… I have more customers for you. @AshleyAA (edited) 7y
7 likes13 comments
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pineappleang
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima

"Land narwhals!"

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pineappleang
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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I adore this book. #betruebeyou

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AmandaL
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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This is my first completed book of 2018. Absolutely adorable picture book!

[My Book Outlet copy came with a torn page and the ink was off at the bottom of the interior pages.]

#picturebook #kidlit

LisaJo Narwhals Narwals swimming in the ocean causing a commotion because they are so awesome. 7y
LadyChristy I loved this too! I gave it to all the little kiddos in our family for Christmas this year! It‘s too cute! 🦄😁 7y
mcipher That picture is just adorable. ❤️ 7y
DrexEdit I'm in love! 😍💜🐳 I've always loved narwhals! 7y
AmandaL @LisaJo @LadyChristy @mcipher @DrexEdit Narwhals and unicorns in a book together - I don't think it gets cuter than than that! I wish I knew more little kids just so I could gift this book. 💜🦄💜 7y
85 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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JuliaTheBookNerd
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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I got this book for my niece and it‘s super cute! 🦄💜 I can‘t wait to read it to her 😍 #AuntLove #PassingOnMyLoveOfBooks #NextGeneration #BookNerd 📚💙

RealLifeReading I love this one! 7y
silentrequiem This looks adorable! 7y
Zelma Omg, I need this! 😍 7y
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WanderingBookaneer
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

A picture book about finding your place in the world.

Texreader Oh my this looks adorable 7y
Gillyreads I squeal a little every time I see this book. Really need to get it. 7y
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alanacristin
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Adorable! Kelp grew up underwater with narwhals but realized he wasn't quite like them. He sets off on land and stumbles upon another group that gives him a different sense of belonging. Cute exploration of the complexities of identity, resolved very simply and happily. Will likely add this to babe's library because biracial/bicultural. #babyreads #picturebooks

ReadingRover Love this one!!! 7y
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Teresaj
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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This adorable F book would be great for S. The book follows Kelp who thinks he is a Narwal, but he doesn‘t quite enjoy everything Narwals do. He goes on a journey of finding his true self similar to the book Quackers! ESOL 3. Encourage self-talk. UDL 7.1 Optimize individual choice and autonomy. https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/stem-narwhal-activities-ocean/ #UCFLAE3414F17

Teresaj The link takes you to a website that incorporates STEM activities! 7y
LaurenR This book looks so cute and I find it surprising that there‘s a stem lesson incorporated! Awesome! 7y
SarahWynne Oh my goodness. Adding this to my stack, too cute! And a STEM lesson?! Fabulous! 7y
DrSpalding You must check out @AshleyAA post for this book. She hand makes bookmarks of the characters. Check it out! 7y
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AshleyAA
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Not Quite Narwhal, by Jessie Sima, is a F picture book about a unicorn, named Kelp, that thinks he is a narwhal, until one day he finds himself on land and discovers he is not a narwhal at all. I made many connections to Jumpstart‘s Read for the Record book Quackers, as the main characters experience the same confusion. This book would make a great RA for students to learn about friendship.

#UCFLAE3414F17

AshleyAA There are many books with similar situations, such as Quackers and Stellaluna, where students can use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast main characters. This can help meets UDL principle 3.2 that relates to highlighting patterns, big ideas, and relationships. It also meets EL 15 and 45, which relate to reinforcing key ideas repetitively and using Venn diagrams to compare and contrast. (edited) 7y
DrSpalding What a wonderful text to text connection with our read for the record book. What a cute story! Nice summary. 7y
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DrSpalding Love the bookmark! Homemade again? 7y
AshleyAA @DrSpalding Thank you! The bookmark is indeed homemade, I have many different characters. 7y
MadisonCarter These book buddies need to make it to Etsy so I can purchase all of them! They are so awesome! 👏🏽😍 great post! 7y
MorganH I absolutely love your bookmark! Also great ideas for comparing and contrasting characters with charts! 7y
HNager I love the bookmark! Love your link. 7y
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MarriedtoMrT
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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#ProTip: When waiting for an eternity at the pediatrician‘s during drop-in clinic hours (because there were no other appointments for the day), #Libby (or Overdrive) is a life-saver for quickly downloading books to keep the little one entertained. It worked for about 15-20 minutes for the 4yo.

Just a baby ear infection. She‘s getting pretty sensitive to them so we keep going before they‘re full-on infections. Still, they gave her amoxicillin.

Cinfhen Glad u caught it early! Two of my kids ended up with tubes because of constant ear infections... do they still do that procedure??? 7y
MarriedtoMrT @Cinfhen They do! They had her go for a consult but the ENT said she might not need them. She gets them multiple times per year but that‘s not so frequently that they think tubes are needed. 7y
EchoLogical Somehow I missed that you're a fellow bookish mama so I did a double take when I saw this post. Lol. I hope your daughter feels better. I hope to read this one with The Kid soon. 7y
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MarriedtoMrT @EchoLogical Ha! Yes. Two girls, 4 and 6. And thank you! She talked almost nonstop from the time I picked her up from preschool to the time she went to bed so I think she‘s doing ok. It‘s when she‘s quiet that I worry! 7y
MarriedtoMrT @EchoLogical Oh, and the book is cute! We‘d had it from the library before. We picked mostly known books because it was easier for mommy to read a familiar book on a phone screen than something completely new. 7y
EchoLogical @MarriedtoMrT Lol. Glad she's doing okay. I downloaded Libby onto my daughter's iPad so we read on it some times but I think she prefers actual books. 7y
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Flingogal
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This is adorable! One of my favourite books growing up was the unicorn and the sea, and this is just as amazing! 🐣

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

Love.

(It's normal to take pictures under your desk to try to avoid reflection... right?!)

Bambolina_81 That is crazy cute!! 😍 7y
PatienceFortitude I love this book, and kids & parents love it when I read it at storytime! 7y
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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End paper ♥️

Jess7 awww I love it! 7y
Wife This book melts my heart ❤️! 7y
elkeOriginal SO CUTE!! 🦄🦏🌈 7y
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This is a sweet book about finding out where you belong, trusting yourself, love and acceptance. The illustrations are beautiful done. A must for a new baby gift or young child.

Jinjer Cuuuute!!!!😳 7y
BookFreakOut Adorable!!! 😍😊 7y
Wife We love this one!❤️ 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Wife I saw it tonight at B&N. It's now on my wish list. 7y
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caitlawler
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This delightful picture book was beyond adorable. Lil Kelp the narwhal find out he might actually be a unicorn. Look at his lil floaties!

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Wife
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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We took this Narwhal loving boy to the #DetroitZoo. Guess what he found!?!? @Dweezlepip

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Wife
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

We love ❤️ narwhals around here! This is a sweet story about love and acceptance. The illustrations are charming. We borrowed it from the library, but now "need" our own copy.

night_shift This looks so cute! 7y
KassKho So worth having! If you need another narwhal book may I recommend 7y
Wife @KassKho Oh yes! Thankyou🌹 7y
Susanita Narwhal makes me think of Rock Lobster 7y
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Wife
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Napping with his narwhal "Spot" after reading this sweet story. ??

julesG 💚 7y
Megabooks 💕💕💕💕 7y
Texreader Beyond precious 7y
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saresmoore This is just the BEST! 7y
Kelican17 How did you get the crowns on the pic?!?! 7y
Wife You can edit your pic prior to posting. There is a sticker button with choices and the crowns are a couple of them. 7y
79 likes7 comments
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emtobiasz
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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The bf's cousin is expecting twins and asked for books instead of baby shower gifts. We may have gone a little overboard, but room to grow, right? 👶🏼👶🏼

Reviewsbylola That's sweet. My friends threw me a book themed shower almost five years ago and we still have the books from it and read them quite often! 7y
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Kittycoroner
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

I adored this book about a little unicorn born under the sea who loves his narwhal family but knows he is different. A great picture book about finding where you fit and being able to fit in in more than one place. #picturebook #narwhal #unicorns #adorbs #picturebooks #belonging #family #kidlit

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faelinwolf
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Because unicorns roasting marshmallows on their horns!

Cinfhen 💕🦄💕🦄💕🦄 8y
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faelinwolf
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Land narwhals! This is how I will refer to unicorns from now on!

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eekabook
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This book was so sweet I'm pretty sure I got a sugar rush from it! 😍🌈🦄 The illustrations are absolutely adorable, and I can't wait to see more from this author!

bookelf221 Agreed!! It made me want to paint rainbows and bubbles every where. 8y
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bookelf221
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This book is adorable! The illustrations are beautiful, and basically the story just made me happy. A great picture book, and a good length for story times

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pocketmermaid
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This book stole my heart and it's not giving it back.

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helgagrace
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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I loved this book! Thanks to @surlyspice for bringing it home.

Tamra Thanks for sharing, I'm going to add it! 8y
moranadatter This one is super adorable. I loved it. 8y
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KassKho
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

For Littens with small children in their lives! Picked this up today at work and it's an absolute treat! The illustration are beautiful and whimsical! Meet Kelp the not so great narwhal. Except turns out she's not a narwhal but a unicorn 🦄 This story talks about inclusion with groups different than our own, which we're gonna need these next 4 years! #tbrtemptation #kidlit

KassKho Just realized this totally fits #fiestyfeb #anthropomorphiccharacters ! 8y
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syasutake
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Littens, if you need a dose of something adorable, this book trailer is for you. ❤❤❤🦄 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMRATb5K3X0

LauraBeth This is adorable 🦄 8y
syasutake @LauraBeth Isn't it though? It makes me smile. 8y
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Katherinebook
Not Quite Narwhal | Jessie Sima
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Pickpick

This is a book about a unicorn who grows up in the ocean so he thinks he is supposed to be a narwhal, but isn't very good at it. It is SO ADORABLE AND SWEET AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH I WRITE IN ALL CAPS. Coming 2/14/17. #simonspringlist