Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

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

Candace Fleming is the prolific and versatile award-winning author of many acclaimed books for children and young adults. Her most recent fiction picture book, Mine!, illustrated by Eric Rohmann, received two starred reviews. Her previous collaboration with Rohmann, Honeybee, received seven starred reviews as well as the Robert F. Sibert Medal, and appeared on countless Best of the Year lists. Candace and Eric's other nonfiction picture book, Giant Squid, received three starred reviews, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, a NCTE Orbis Picture Book Honor, a Robert F. Sibert Honor, and was a Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year. Candace lives outside of Chicago.

Author Residence: Chicago, IL

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. Deena splits her time between New York City and Switzerland.

Illustrator Residence:New York, NY