WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Narwhal, Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming & Deena So'oteh
ABOUT THE BOOK
Venture to the Arctic Ocean and discover real life underwater unicorns--narwhals--in this stunningly illustrated nonfiction picture book.You are a narwhal. Shy... Swift... Small... Humans call you unicorn of the Arctic.When winter ice covers the Arctic Ocean, a narwhal pokes his head through a patch of open water, his tusk--a six-foot long tooth--pointed to the sky.Join this mammal as he jousts with another narwhal, floats with his pod, and uses echolocation to find his prey. When warmer weather arrives, he will migrate towards summer ground. But he must be careful! Predators--orcas and polar bears--will be hungry and looking for a meal.... How will the narwhal escape? Will he be able to return to the winter bay? Paired with atmospheric illustrations by debut illustrator Deena So'Oteh, nonfiction master Candace Fleming delivers a picture book, uniquely told in second person, that expertly explores the mysterious and fascinating unicorn of the Arctic.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Candace Fleming is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning author of many acclaimed books for children and young adults. Her most recent fiction picture book, Mine!, illustrated by her husband, Eric Rohmann, received two starred reviews. Her previous collaboration with Rohmann, Honeybee, received seven starred reviews, the Robert F. Sibert Medal, and appeared on countless Best of the Year lists. Fleming and Rohmann’s other nonfiction picture book, Giant Squid, received three starred reviews, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, an NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor, and a Robert F. Sibert Honor, and was a Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year. Candace Fleming lives outside of Chicago, Illinois. Learn more at candacefleming.com.
Deena So'Oteh holds an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts. Her extensive editorial and book cover work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, and 3x3 Magazine. Her clients include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. NARWHAL is her debut picture book. She splits her time between New York City and Switzerland. Learn more at deenasooteh.com.
REVIEW
Not only is this book wonderfully illustrated but the text reads beautifully. The book follows a young male narwhal through one migration cycle explaining through poetic text how they survive in the Arctic during the winter before heading south for the summer. Information about tusks, hunting, breathing, and predation are presented beautifully in both text and art. The digital art practically jumps off the page. Interestingly, the book is written as if the reader is the main character (male narwhal) referring to you throughout the text. It adds to the tension of the narrative as the narwhal faces suffocation beneath the ice as well as predation by killer whales and polar bears. The back matter provides additional information about narwhals and their existence. Additionally, the back matter also refers to the scientific research involved in learning about narwhals. References are included. A stunning science book perfect for young animal lovers and science teachers (not to mention ELA teachers, the poetry is wonderfully presented).
Highly recommended.
If this one doesn't receive some award love I'll be seriously disappointed!
SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS
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