Skip to main content

Narwhal and Jelly Read Alikes

I have a lot of love for the Narwhal and Jelly books. And I can’t wait for the fall when the next book is scheduled to be published. But since waiting is hard, I have put together a list of five comic books that you may enjoy if you are like me and also love the Narwhal and Jelly series. 

By Beth Ferry. 
Illustrated by Jared Chapman 
HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2022. 64 p. 

This is a fun new series. Crab and Snail are best buds and live in the surf zone (the place where the surf is sometimes in and sometimes not). One day they start to get rained on—and they realize that they are the only ones who are getting wet. Come to find out, there is an invisible whale that wants to be their friend. With lots of humor and some comedic barnacles, this book will win over early graphic novel readers. 


By Katherine Battersby 
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2021. 103 p. 

This is a new series with two unlikely friends. A chicken who is extremely cranky and a worm named Speedy. Speedy is optimistic and loves the idea of having a chicken for a best friend. Cranky isn’t sure if she should eat the worm or go along with his antics. Again, this is a fun story with lots of humor and an unlikely friendship. 


By Sergio Ruzzier 
HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2021. 48 p. 

One day Fish gets bored and decides to head up to the surface of the ocean to see what there is to see. On the surface, Fish meets Sun, who just might be a great friend. Only, once the two become friends it is time for Sun to set, and Fish isn’t sure what will happen next. This is a short stand-alone comic book that will have readers cheering on another improbable pair that become good friends. 


By Corey R. Tabor 
Balzer + Bray, HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2022. 68 p. 

Sir Ladybug is a knight of the bug realm. With a herald roly-poly named Pell and a squire snail named Sterling, the trio is off to save the world—or rather Pell and Sterling are off to watch Sir Ladybug save the world. When a chickadee comes and tries to eat a caterpillar, Pell and Sterling help Sir Ladybug with the quest to save the day. Caldecott honoree Corey Tabor pens this delightful tale—the first in a planned series—and readers are in for a treat! The main trio are delightful, loving, and mostly brave (in their own ways). And readers will enjoy reading about their quests. 


By Norm Feuti 
HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2021. 60 p. 

Ally is an alligator that likes to be alone. Beak is a noisy bird that wants to have some company—and has decided that Ally will be his new best friend. As Beak tries multiple things to get Ally to be friends, it turns out there may be one thing that would make Ally happy with this new friendship. Kids who like the contrast of shy and bold personalities will enjoy reading the two unlikely friends.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Alice with a Why

Alice with a Why By Anna James New York: Penguin, 2026. Fiction. 240 pgs. In 1919, in the aftermath of the first World War, Alyce is living with her grandmother in the English countryside. Her grandmother, also named Alice, tells Alyce (with a y) stories from her childhood adventures in a wonderful land filled with white rabbits and mad hatters. Alyce doesn't really believe the silly stories, she just misses her father who was killed in the war. One day, Alyce receives a mysterious invitation to tea, and subsequently falls into a pond where she is transported to Wonderland. Her grandmother, of course, is that Alice. Alyce is prompted by the Mad Hatter, Dormouse, and March Hare to seek out the Time Being and put an end to the war between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. Thus begins Alyce's adventure through Wonderland. I have a certain soft spot for the original story of Alice in Wonderland. It is one of my particular favorites and I often have a hard time reading new int...

Review: Blood in the Water

Blood in the Water By Tiffany D. Jackson New York: Scholastic, 2025. Fiction. 255 pages. 12-year-old Kaylani McKinnon can't help but feel like a fish out of water. She's a Brooklyn girl spending her summer on Martha's Vineyard surrounded by wealthy family friends in their mansion. All she really wants is to stay home all summer where she her incarcerated father can easily reach her, and she can keep working to find ways to prove him innocent of fraud and embezzlement. Despite her protests, she finds herself on the island with the snooty granddaughters of her host. Soon after Kaylani's arrival, a popular teen boy is found murdered and she decides to conduct her own investigation. As she tries to discover what happened to Chadwick Cooper, Kaylani finds that not everything on Martha's Vineyard is as perfect as it appears. Thrillers for middle grade readers can be hard to find, but Tiffany D. Jackson succeeds in her first middle grade novel. A quick moving plot, tight d...

Five Faves: Funny Animal Picture Books

Here is the thing, I have a kid that loves animals. And I have another kid who really likes funny books. So when it comes to reading books if I can get a book that is funny and has animals in it, there is a chance that I can get both of my kids to listen to that book. Which is a win-win for reading time at my house. Here are some great new picture books that feature animals that may also make readers chuckle. Enjoy!  Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World)  By Corey R. Tabor  New York: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2025. Picture Book.  In this book a very cranky (and crabby) crow keeps “kaw”ing at all the other animals to get them to go away. The other animals respond in various states of annoyance/offense to Crow’s response. Eventually readers see the reasoning behind Crow’s actions—which is where the chuckles will come in.  Help Me Find My Hamster!  Written by Brooke Hartman  Illustrated by Anna Süssbauer  Salem, MA: Pa...