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Not Quite Narwhal #2
Perfectly Pegasus
A lonely pegasus looks for the perfect friend in this sweet and adorable picture book companion to the bestselling Not Quite Narwhal!
Nimbus has always lived among the clouds. She’s a pegasus, after all, and the sky is where she belongs. She is one of a kind. And when she wants a friend, all she has to do is look up—and talk to the stars.
Only...they don’t really talk back. The clouds don’t, either. And sometimes, being the only pegasus can be a little...lonely? So she decides to find a fallen star to make a wish on—and wishes for friends who are just like her. Along the way she meets a Unicorn named Kelp, and a host of other creatures...who might just open her eyes to something other than what’s up in the sky.
Nimbus has always lived among the clouds. She’s a pegasus, after all, and the sky is where she belongs. She is one of a kind. And when she wants a friend, all she has to do is look up—and talk to the stars.
Only...they don’t really talk back. The clouds don’t, either. And sometimes, being the only pegasus can be a little...lonely? So she decides to find a fallen star to make a wish on—and wishes for friends who are just like her. Along the way she meets a Unicorn named Kelp, and a host of other creatures...who might just open her eyes to something other than what’s up in the sky.
42 pages, Hardcover
First published March 29, 2022
12 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Sima
11 books247 followersJessie Sima is an author and illustrator of picture books. They grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey and now write and draw in a creaky house in New York State. When not making books, Jessie can be found reading graphic novels, watching spooky movies, and playing outside with dogs.
Visit them online at jessiesima.com!
Visit them online at jessiesima.com!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
May 5, 2022
Perfectly Pegasus is a companion book to Sima's amazing Not Quite Narwhal (if you have not read that one, pick it up as it is one of the most delightful children's books). This time it focuses on a Pegasus who is perfectly content with her life except for the fact that she has no friends. She decides to track down a fallen star in the hope that it will grant a wish for them and along the way she meets several individuals willing to help her…
Yes, from the plot description you already know where this one is going. It's a wonderful little book though, with lovely illustrations and some fun moments. A definite win for my daughter, although I think we both prefer the Narwhal book. 4/5 stars.
Yes, from the plot description you already know where this one is going. It's a wonderful little book though, with lovely illustrations and some fun moments. A definite win for my daughter, although I think we both prefer the Narwhal book. 4/5 stars.
July 9, 2022
A little pegasus named Nimbus leads a lonely existence in the heavens in this charming follow-up to author/artist Jessie Sima's
Not Quite Narwhal
. About to wish on a falling star, our winged equine heroine misses her chance, setting out to find the star and the chance at her heart's desire. Her search leads her to a beautiful island, where she meets the Kelp and all of his unicorn and narwhal friends. Searching for the star together, Nimbus and Kelp develop what the little pegasus has been truly looking for: friendship...
Having greatly enjoyed the first story about Kelp, and how he figured out who he was and where he belonged, I picked up Perfectly Pegasus with some anticipation, glad that Sima was returning to this world of magical equines. I haven't encountered that many picture-books about winged horses, save for retellings of the actual Pegasus myth, so I was happy on that score as well. Although I didn't think it was quite the equal of the first, I still found Nimbus' story very sweet, and appreciated its message that friendship must be built, rather than found. The artwork is, unsurprisingly, adorable. Recommended to fans of Not Quite Narwhal , and to picture-book readers looking for stories about friendship, or that feature magical creatures.
Note: If half stars were available, I would give this a rating of 3.5, but as they are not, I have rounded down to 3, to reflect the fact that I enjoyed Not Quite Narwhal just a bit more.
Having greatly enjoyed the first story about Kelp, and how he figured out who he was and where he belonged, I picked up Perfectly Pegasus with some anticipation, glad that Sima was returning to this world of magical equines. I haven't encountered that many picture-books about winged horses, save for retellings of the actual Pegasus myth, so I was happy on that score as well. Although I didn't think it was quite the equal of the first, I still found Nimbus' story very sweet, and appreciated its message that friendship must be built, rather than found. The artwork is, unsurprisingly, adorable. Recommended to fans of Not Quite Narwhal , and to picture-book readers looking for stories about friendship, or that feature magical creatures.
Note: If half stars were available, I would give this a rating of 3.5, but as they are not, I have rounded down to 3, to reflect the fact that I enjoyed Not Quite Narwhal just a bit more.
September 8, 2022
Darling follow up to Not Quite Narwhal, about a little pegasus who longs to find friends. The wonderful softness and shininess of the pictures make me want to cradle and possibly eat these books, and also feel a little sad for tiny Jessica, who never had such pretty, pretty books about unicorns and Pegasi. (The sheer BROWNESS of every picture book we had in the late '70's, early '80's! "Kids love brown," they said, "also orange!")
August 16, 2022
This was cute, though I was expecting something a tad more… original, I guess? Still, I appreciate that it somehow has a modern sensibility while also feeling whimsical and very much like a book I could have picked up and loved as a child. The illustrations are adorable and the story has has a nice message.
May 5, 2022
perfectly pegasus is perfect. 💖✨
February 28, 2022
Perfectly Pegasus was a wonderfully illustrated book that follows a pegasus looking for the perfect friend.
Nimbus has always lived alone among the clouds. As a pegasus, she belongs in the sky. But being one of a kind is lonely and the stars don't talk back. So one day she decides to follow a fallen star to make a wish for friends just like her. Along the way she meets a unicorn named Kelp who helps her with her search.
Perfectly Pegasus is a companion story to Sima's 2017 Not Quite Narwhal. Like Not Quite Narwhal, the illustrations in Perfectly Pegasus are gorgeous. Everything is so colorful with each creature unique in its' own way. I loved the attention to detail given to the scenery and how well fleshed out each scene was. Nimbus is an adorable main character and I loved seeing her pair up with Kelp. This story is very sweet and has a great message for kids about finding friends in unexpected places. I really enjoyed the ending of this book and found the final scene with all the characters to be well done.
Overall Perfectly Pegasus was a delightful read and I would highly recommend it.
Nimbus has always lived alone among the clouds. As a pegasus, she belongs in the sky. But being one of a kind is lonely and the stars don't talk back. So one day she decides to follow a fallen star to make a wish for friends just like her. Along the way she meets a unicorn named Kelp who helps her with her search.
Perfectly Pegasus is a companion story to Sima's 2017 Not Quite Narwhal. Like Not Quite Narwhal, the illustrations in Perfectly Pegasus are gorgeous. Everything is so colorful with each creature unique in its' own way. I loved the attention to detail given to the scenery and how well fleshed out each scene was. Nimbus is an adorable main character and I loved seeing her pair up with Kelp. This story is very sweet and has a great message for kids about finding friends in unexpected places. I really enjoyed the ending of this book and found the final scene with all the characters to be well done.
Overall Perfectly Pegasus was a delightful read and I would highly recommend it.
March 20, 2022
Perfectly Pegasus IS just that👌😘💋 Perfect 🥰
May 30, 2022
This follow up book to “Not Quite Narwhal” is beautiful. I love these two stories and suggest them to anyone: young or old. They are simply lovely 💕
April 25, 2022
✧ 105/ 108
This is so cute!! If the next book is about a rhino i will die of cuteness.
If you're a teacher looking for a children's book with a good message about friendship/ differences I think that can be found elsewhere too.
It's a cute and short story, but I feel like it might be too short to get the message across?
Looking at it from a normal standpoint though, I LOVE THIS
P.S. I received this arc through work by being a bookseller, but thank you anyways to SimonKids!
This is so cute!! If the next book is about a rhino i will die of cuteness.
If you're a teacher looking for a children's book with a good message about friendship/ differences I think that can be found elsewhere too.
It's a cute and short story, but I feel like it might be too short to get the message across?
Looking at it from a normal standpoint though, I LOVE THIS
P.S. I received this arc through work by being a bookseller, but thank you anyways to SimonKids!
May 17, 2022
Cute, but not as cute as the original story Not Quite Narwhal. About realizing you’ve found what you’re wishing for: friends. Liked the hint on the back endpages of another story to come? Of course, be sure to check out all endpages and the case cover art.
June 7, 2022
Adorable! I love all Jessie Sima's books. And I was delighted at the appearance of our good friend Kelp the unicorn. I love the soft, friendly colors in the illustrations. And a great moral at the end of appreciating your friends. <3
March 30, 2022
Excellent picture book with wonderful illustrations
April 1, 2022
I just really love picture books about friendship, OK? :D
April 6, 2022
4/6/22
Picked this up in the Walmart book aisle because I thought it looked cute. What started as flipping through it became reading it. It’s adorable.
Picked this up in the Walmart book aisle because I thought it looked cute. What started as flipping through it became reading it. It’s adorable.
April 11, 2022
So cute!!
April 21, 2022
Kelp + Nimbus = 4ever ❤️
May 20, 2022
Sweet, but predictable, and nowhere near the heartwarming delight of Not Quite Narwhal.
June 6, 2022
A perfect children's book, 10/10
September 3, 2022
Super cute book about friendship. Readers may be a little confused by the secondary characters if they haven’t read Not Quite Narwhal, but they should still be able to enjoy the story.
October 8, 2022
Not quite as good as the first but still very good
March 20, 2023
The sequel to Not Quite Narwhal, which is one of my favorites, is not as strong. Nimbus is a pegasus living alone in the sky. She sees a falling star and wants to wish for more friends so she sets off to find where the star landed. She meets with the unicorns and narwhals from the last book and they help her try to find the star, but they can't find it and Nimbus goes away sad. Then she realizes belatedly that she found soms friends. The art is still cute. Also, not sure what the title is supposed to mean.
April 28, 2025
I think maybe I just don't care for books for the very young. I read 6 books this morning, five for the youngest readers. Five duds. I may not be the best judge of toddler and preschool books.
Oh my gosh, I hated this one. But, I can think of a lot of young girls who will love it.
Oh my gosh, I hated this one. But, I can think of a lot of young girls who will love it.
September 22, 2023
Reading age
4 - 8 years
About a Pegasus being lonely and making friends.
4 - 8 years
About a Pegasus being lonely and making friends.
December 19, 2023
How can I live in the land of unicorns?
The details of the illustrations bring another level of awesome to these books.
🦄
The details of the illustrations bring another level of awesome to these books.
🦄
June 9, 2022
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima, a wonderfully heartwarming follow-up to the much-beloved Not Quite Narwhal.
Nimbus, born high in the sky amongst fluffy clouds and colorful rainbows, is undeniably one-of-a-kind. Being so singular means that she has the entire sky to herself, and can use her powerful wings to soar and play. However, it can also get pretty lonely, and Nimbus often finds herself tracing the stars and dreaming of having other pegasi to keep her company. One night, spying the perfect wishing star falling to the land, Nimbus decides to venture out of her solitary sky and search for the celestial object, hoping to make her wish for companionship. Along the way, she’ll meet some new friends – and one familiar face – that will show her that her wish may have already come true…
Marvelous. While the brilliant Not Quite Narwhal dealt with the concept of feeling pulled between two communities based on one’s identities, Perfectly Pegasus deftly explores another aspect of “found families”: being in a place where one’s identity is entirely unique, and finding connection in communities that are unrelated to that identity. At the end of the day, Nimbus is truly unique (no other pegasi make an appearance), yet she finds acceptance and companionship within the narwhal-and-unicorn community that sprang up around adopted unicorn protagonist Kelp from the previous book. It’s a lovely lesson in finding family in those who love and support you, even if they are not EXACTLY like you, and it’s expressed perfectly in Sima’s entertaining, heartfelt text and delightfully sweet artwork. The length is perfect for a storytime, and JJ and I both loved this – I can honestly say that I was filled with glee when Kelp and his blended family made their return halfway through the book. Overall, a lovely story about identity and community, and we highly recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
June 3, 2022
This is NOT, Not Quite Narwhal. Sorry if this is an unpopular opinion but it felt like Jessie Sima dialed this one in. Not original, kinda convoluted, and just rode on Kelp’s coattails. Will not be buying this one for my library, though there are many other Sima books lovingly shelved there. Wanted to love it (adorable cover), but just didn’t.
May 6, 2023
Great art with a nice message about friendship.
May 4, 2023
I think kids, especially with the recent popularity of all horned mythical creatures (unicorn, narwhals, etc.), will enjoy this sweet book about friendship. The pictures are colorful and fun, and the writing is very well done. I particularly like the vocabulary to which it exposes readers - "consolation," "nimbus," "kelp," "resigning," etc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews