Narwhals the Unicorns of the Sea

PATHFINDER: A bibliography/webliography to help begin research (Grades 1-3)

© Paul Nicklen Photography

Welcome to the Narwhals the Unicorns of the Sea Research Guide. Here you’ll find books, websites, videos, databases and more to get you started on learning all about narwhals.

Narwhals are nicknamed the “unicorns of the sea” because of their long tusks. These strange and beautiful creatures are hardly ever seen by humans, since they live in the most remote and coldest parts of the ocean. Narwhals can’t be held in captivity, so much about narwhals is still a mystery. Read on to learn what we do know about these amazing creatures.

ON THE BookSHELVES

One great way to learn about any subject is through books. If you have a library card, you can put these awesome narwhal books on hold at your local library:

Nonfiction books (about facts and real events) are a great way to learn about animals. In Narwhal: A Day in the Life: Polar Animals you’ll find amazing photos of narwhals in their natural habitat. Follow along as a narwhal eats, sleeps, and cares for its young.

If you love facts, you might already know about the Magic Treehouse Fact Tracker series. In Narwhals and Other Whales Jack and Annie have just come back from another adventure and have a lot of questions! Why are narwhals nicknamed the unicorn of the sea?

Now what if you woke up tomorrow morning with a narwhal tusk? What animal superpower would this give you? You can learn all about the amazing narwhal in What if You Could Spy Like a Narwhal? by Sandra Markle.

If you like fiction books, try Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea, by Ben Clanton. Narwhal and Jelly don’t have a lot in common, but they become fast friends exploring the whole wide ocean together. Check out the other books in the Narwhal and Jelly Book series too.

Here are some other titles to check out:

It’s a Narwhal! by Mari C. Schuh. Learn all about narwhals, the mysterious, magnificent, mammals of the sea.

Third Grade Mermaid and the Narwhals by Peter Raymundo. Cora sets out on an adventure to prove that narwhals are real.

Probably A Narwhal by Shelley Moore Thomas. A girl’s bedroom is an amazing mess and she swears a narwhal did it.

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessica Sima. Kelp is not like the other narwhals, but he’s not sure why.

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton. Three new stories with Narwhal’s new superhero alter-ego.

Platypus Police Squad: Never Say Narwhal by Jarrett Krosoczka. Follow Zengo, O’Malley and Cooper as they try to solve their latest case involving a narwhal.

Narwhal I’m Around by Aaron Reynolds. Rex Dexter is cursed and dead pets keep showing up in his bedroom wanting him to solve their murders.

Narwhal on a Sunny Night by Mary Pope Osborne. Jack and Annie help the famous explorer Leif Erikson save a narwhal.

To search on your own use the library catalog with these keywords: narwhal, whales, marine animals, animals-arctic region, and animals-polar region. Or, using the Dewey Decimal classification, search for 599.543 and 599.51.

ON THE INTERNET

Another great way to gather narwhal facts is to head online and search using these keywords: narwhal, whales, marine animals, animals-arctic region, and animals-polar region.

Or, you can start at these expert sites:
Ocean Conservancy
World Wildlife Fund
National Geographic Kids

While you’re online, check out some of these narwhal videos:

Get up close to a narwhal!

Find out how scientist think narwhals use their tusks.

Learn little known facts about narwhals.

PRIMARY SOURCES

Researchers look for primary sources (firsthand accounts) when they’re learning about a new subject. In this way, research can feel like a treasure hunt. An example of a primary source for narwhal research is this collection of narwhal signals and whistles recorded by scientists.

Check out these other narwhal primary sources:

Watch researchers’ video evidence of narwhals using their tusks for feeding.

Watch scientists at work tracking narwhals using satellite tags.

Want to know more?

Use your library card to access these easy to use databases to gather even more narwhal facts:
Gale in Context: Elementary
SIRS Discover
Scholastic Go!

© Paul Nicklen Photography

Ten Awesome Facts About Narwhals

1. Narwhals are nicknamed “unicorn of the sea.”

2. They are one of the planet’s most mysterious marine mammals.

3. A narwhal’s tusk is actually a large tooth.

4. Narwhal tusks were said to be the horns of unicorns and to possess magical powers.

5. The narwhal is one of the deepest diving whales, diving over one mile below the surface.

6. They can hold their breath for 25 minutes.

7. Narwhals are rarely ever seen by humans, since they live in the coldest parts of the ocean.

8. A narwhal’s heart slows to only 4 beats per minute when it’s frightened.

9. Narwhals are conscious breathers, which means they have to remember to breathe.

10. They are about 50% body fat and their blubber is 3 to 4 inches thick.

Bonus Fact: Narwhals taste like hazelnuts! Narwhal blubber is a delicacy to the Inuit.

D. Finnin/© AMNH

HEAD OUTSIDE: New York City Adventure

Sometimes the best way to gather facts is in person. Learn about the drama of the undersea world in The Hall of Ocean Life, featuring a 94-foot-long blue whale, at the American Museum of Natural History.

BONUS NARWHAL SONG

“Narwhals, Narwhals
Swimming in the ocean
Causing a commotion
Coz they are so awesome”

– Mr. Weebl, aka Jonti Picking

Good luck in your quest for narwhal facts!

– Ms. Vela, Children’s Librarian

What to Read, Watch, and Listen to if You're Feeling Anxious

TEEN EDITION (Library Accessible)

If you have anxiety, you’re not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3 of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. For many teens, the pandemic has only increased their anxiety. It’s hard to turn off the 24/7 news cycle. If these anxious feelings are new, you might not be sure if it’s anxiety. Some of the most common symptoms are heart pounding, sweaty hands, tingly limbs, and a sense of worry or dread. The following selections can make you feel a little calmer. This is not a replacement for therapy. If you feel this way all of the time, speak to an adult. If you feel hesitant about confiding in someone, one of these selections could help get the conversation started. Remember, you don’t have to worry alone.

“Anxiety is deeply normal….it can be understood and brought under our control.”—THE SCHOOL OF LIFE

Shawn Mendes wrote In My Blood about his own anxiety. Lyrics like “Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in,” and “I’m crawling in my skin,” can help give you the words to express anxious feelings. Mendes sings about self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, or sex, and how they won’t alleviate anxiety. Stream at the library or share with an adult by checking it out here.

Listening to soothing tunes can have serious benefits. Neuroscientists at Mindlab International found the song Weightless reduced overall anxiety by up to 65%. It’s all in the binaural beats. A public playlist of the top 10 most relaxing songs is available on Spotify, and runs for about 50 minutes.

Learning to control the breath is a powerful technique that’s effective against anxiety. Breathing techniques stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, as well as divert your attention from racing thoughts. Box breathing is an effective way to calm anxiety in the moment, anywhere and anytime.

Cinema therapy is real, and watching movies can have a positive affect through escapism and immersion. It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a dramedy, based on the same-named book by Ned Vizzini. It follows sixteen-year-old Craig Gilner whose crushing life pressures land him in a psychiatric hospital. The movie and book are available in the catalog.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age dramedy, based on the wildly popular same-named book by Stephen Chbosky. It follows a group of friends as they worry about their futures, and shows how fast things can fall apart, but that they will get back together. The movie and book are available in the catalog.

“The right book at the right time can change a teen’s life forever.”—Katie Salo, Youth Services Librarian

If bibliotherapy (book therapy) is more your thing, that’s great because reading lowers your heart rate and relaxes you physically. Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos, follows introspective sixteen-year-old James, as he wrestles with depression and anxiety. He copes by writing poems. Dr. Bird might inspire you to write out some of your anxiety. (Fiction)

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles, edited by Jessica Burkhart, features YA authors (Ellen Hopkins, Maureen Johnson, and more). Sometimes you just want to read other people’s real-life experiences. Self-care topics covered are medication, therapy, exercise, sleeping well, mindfulness, and acceptance. These stories will let you know you are not alone. (Memoir/essay)

Rewire Your Anxious Brain for Teens by Debra Kissen, Ashley D. Kendall, Micah Ioffe and Michelle Lozano, provides tips and tools you can use every day to manage fears, stress and worry. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold standard therapy for anxiety, aimed at “rewiring” your anxious brain so you can get back to the rest of your life. (Nonfiction)

Your Brain Needs a Hug by Rae Earl, is a book about brains, what can go wrong with them, and how to keep them healthy. Brains can be “trained, tamed and exercised to work well.” Based on the author’s real-life experiences with anxiety, phobias, eating disorders, OCD, psychosis, self-harm and depression. At the end you’ll find an extensive list of resources including playlists, organizations, books and apps. (Nonfiction)

“The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime.”—Sogyal Rinpoche

Meditation is a great way to ease anxiety, as it literally changes the structure of the human brain. Learning to meditate is a healthy coping strategy that you can use for the rest of your life. The Insight Timer app features the largest free library of guided meditations on earth and has specific content for teens. Start with a five minute meditation and slowly work your way up.

Lastly, Hi Anxiety is a social video series created for teens to better deal with anxiety. Featuring favorite celebrities in very candid interviews, sharing their tips and tricks for dealing with anxiety. Follow them on Instagram @_hi_anxiety_

Remember that all pain is temporary, and you don’t have to go it alone.

– Teen Services Team