“Heck, yeah, collapsible ribs!” A Talk with Candace Fleming about Her Incredible New Title, Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic

It is not the first narwhal nonfiction picture book to grace our children’s bookshelves. Yet when I first saw Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming, with art from Deena So’Oteh (out on shelves October 22nd), I was floored. Much as she did with books like Honeybee or Giant Squid, Fleming has a preternatural ability to deep dive into critters and creatures that might otherwise not get the full attention they deserve. And how much, really, do you know about narwhals vs. what you think you know about them?

Here’s a plot description for the curious amongst us:

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.

One cannot read this and not want to know more. Fortunately, I know the perfect person to talk to:

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Betsy Bird: Candy! Thank you so much for answering my questions today. You’ve been doing such a singular job with these nonfiction picture books that focus tightly on single species. Bees. Squids. Narwhals. Before I ask you anything about your latest, what is it that you need to see in a critter in order to write an entire book about it? What must set it apart? And are there any animals you’ve ever considered and rejected?

Candace Fleming: I have what I call a “selfish eye.” It really is all about me. What animal fascinates me? What creature do I want to know more about? And most importantly, what critter do I want to share with young readers? Because, truth is, once I fall for a topic, I want to share my obsession. That’s one of reasons I write nonfiction. I want to obsess others, too.

Nope, I’ve never considered and rejected an animal. That’s because I’m never really looking for the next one. My animal oeuvre (I love using that word!) was, and continues to be, unintentional. I never planned on writing the first… or the second… or the others. Sure, something might catch my eye. Or not. But I’m not actively searching.

BB: In the case of NARWHAL specifically, what drew you to this particular book?

Candace: True story: I was visiting the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History when a group of third graders on a school trip suddenly surrounded me. One of the kids pointed up at a model of a narwhal hanging from the ceiling and said, “That’s a myth. It’s not real.” A couple of other students disagreed. Finally, they asked their teacher. To my surprise, he concurred with the girl. Narwhals, he told them, were myths, “like unicorns.” I wanted to correct him, but I wasn’t fast enough with my phone. By the time I googled “narwhal” they’d moved on. And me? I ended up down the rabbit hole. Narwhals, I discovered, are astonishing little whales.

BB: Sorry, I’m just going to sit here and let my blood boil a little thanks to that teach. Sheesh! Okay. I’m done. Now when it comes to nonfiction picture books for kids, one thing my fellow librarians and I must always remember is that if the backmatter of a children’s book is more interesting than the actual text, that’s a problem. Your books, happily, have never had that problem. That doesn’t mean you don’t include some incredible backmatter, though. In the case of NARWHAL you have some really delightful additional facts. Which ones did you initially try to have in the book and it just didn’t work out? And which ones are your favorites (mine is that they have collapsible rib cages).

Candace: Heck, yeah, collapsible ribs! I also love that the tusk is filled with sea lice, and that its purpose remains a mystery. The tusk is obviously not for protection since only males (for the most part) grow them. So, is to look sexy for the lady narwhals? Is it a thermometer? Does it measure salinity? One of the things that really ramps up my curiosity is the fact that we share our world with so many creatures – 170,00 in the case of narwhals – and we still know very little about them. Don’t you find that amazing? I can hardly wrap my head around it.

As for what’s in my backmatter… As a nonfiction writer, my job first and foremost is to tell a dramatic, compelling and true story. If I can weave facts into the narrative without interrupting the flow of my telling (and I try my darndest) then I will. But if a fact feels forced, or I can’t wedge it in, I save it for backmatter.

BB: A woman after my own heart. You’re one of the finest nonfiction writers for kids, and with good reason. You know how to conduct research. In the case of this book you thank Dr. Kristin Laidre, professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences for her help. When you first set out to study narwhals for this book, how did you learn about Dr. Laidre? How do you approach experts in their chosen fields when you need their help in making your books as accurate and up-to-date in terms of research as possible?

Candace: Aw, thanks for the compliment, Betsy. I’m blushing!

Here’s the deal with experts: Through the course of my research, it quickly becomes apparent who is doing cutting-edge research on my chosen topic. That’s because I stick to up-to-date academic journals and peer-reviewed science journals when researching natural history subjects. And some names just keep coming up. That’s how I discovered Kristin. She is the go-to narwhal expert. After using her research to write my text, I wrote and asked if she’d read it for accuracy. I am not a marine biologist, and I worried that I’d simplified some concepts into inaccuracy. I also wanted to make sure I had the most current research. Kristin graciously agreed. She pointed out some places that needed clarification and suggested a few changes. Later, when Deena had sketches, she vetted those, too. Because of her generosity, Deena and I can say that our book is as accurate and up to date as possible. Yea!

BB: Woot! Speaking of which, tell me a little bit about your illustrator Deena So’Oteh. She’s a new children’s book illustrator, as far as I can tell, and a talented one. Do you happen to know how you got paired with her? How do you feel about the final art of this book?

Candace: Our editor extraordinaire, Anne Schwartz, paired us up. I haven’t met Deena in person, yet, but when I do, I’m going to give her a narwhal-sized hug. She’s a genius, and her illustrations absolutely glow. I mean, just look at them! I especially love the gatefold that requires a 90 degree turn of the book. Readers get to see the narwhal dive down… down… down literally! I hope I get the change work with her again someday… soon.

BB: Finally, what’s next for you? You always seem to have a lot of irons in the fire.

Candace: I’ve got a few irons in the fire. In March you’ll see Death in The Jungle, YA nonfiction that follows (for the most part) a handful of teens and young people who were members of Peoples Temple. Some survived the massacre at Jonestown. Some didn’t. I’m a firm believer in the idea that if a book is only about what it seems to be about, then somehow the author has failed. In this case, the book is far more than a “cult” story. It’s about undue influence, peer pressure and personal agency. Why do we choose to believe the patently false? Why do follow charismatic leaders? Why is everyone — and I mean everyone — susceptible? I had the honor of interviewing several survivors of Peoples Temple, all of whom spoke to me because they had something they wanted to say to today’s teenagers.

Next spring also sees the start of a middle-school series called “IS IT REAL?” It might look like a series about cryptids. In truth, it’s about critical thinking, “good” research, and reasoning. Readers get the chance to delve into the evidence for, say, the Loch Ness Monster, ask questions, find answers and draw conclusions. They then get to pit their conclusions against the scientific community’s. Fun!

In October I head off for a month-long research trip in South Africa. I’ll be taking a weeklong, wildlife forensics class with South African park rangers, then walking the park with the anti-poaching K-9 unit and helping to release a young rhino from the orphanage where it was raised after poachers killed its mother. All this will result in a middle school, nonfiction book tentatively called Rhino Country.

And I’ve got a few picture books in the works. Stay tuned…

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Special thanks to Sarah Shealy and the team at Blue Slip media for taking the time to pass along my questions. Thanks too to Candy and her incredible answers (is it bad to be excited about a Jonestown YA title?). Be sure to look for Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic in stores and libraries everywhere this October 22nd.

Filed under: Interviews