Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

I don't usually go for cute, but I've hit a couple of books that just are so adorable they can't be resisted. One is the unicorn/narwhal book you didn't know you were missing, but once you've seen it you must have it.

Kelp, an adorable little unicorn with a pink nose and a diving helmet (there's a hole for his horn of course) lives deep under the ocean. He knows he's not quite like the other narwhals, but they all accept and love him so he decides he doesn't care. But one day, he's swept away by a current and ends up on land, where he discovers...land narwhals! He learns all about unicorns and the special things he never knew he could do. Does Kelp belong on the land with the unicorns or in the sea with the narwhals? It turns out...he belongs in both places!

The message of acceptance and family is woven into the story with a light touch. Both the narwhals and unicorns accept Kelp's unique attributes (and his diver's helmet). The story is humorous, touching, and best of all has lots and lots of gorgeous narwhals and unicorns! Kids who want pretty unicorns (not the humorous ones that have been popping up recently) will adore the snowy white creatures with their colored legs and rainbow-shooting horns.

Verdict: Sima's debut picture book sparkles with love and delight and will charm both children and parents in storytimes and on their own. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781481469098; Published 2017 by Simon and Schuster; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Received a free signed copy at ALA which I donated to the library