Read Narwhal And Jelly Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

By Kathy | Last Updated on June 13, 2026

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In a literary landscape crowded with adventure tales, fantasy epics, and high-stakes mysteries, some stories manage to stand out by embracing simplicity, humor, and charm. The Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton is one such gem. Targeted primarily at early readers, this series combines vibrant illustrations, playful dialogue, and clever storytelling that makes it accessible and entertaining for young audiences, yet surprisingly enjoyable for readers of all ages. At its heart, the series celebrates friendship, imagination, and curiosity, making it a delightful entry point for children learning to navigate the world of books. But beyond its surface-level charm lies a thoughtfully constructed series that encourages emotional growth, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

List Of Narwhal And Jelly Books In Order

More On Narwhal And Jelly Books In Chronological Order

1. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (2016)

This is the first book where we meet Narwhal, the cheerful, curious, and totally optimistic narwhal, and Jelly, his more cautious but equally endearing octopus friend. It’s a super fun introduction to the underwater world, full of friendship, silliness, and the question: is Narwhal a unicorn or just a very special sea creature? You’ll love how these two are the most unlikely, yet most perfect, pair ever!

2. Narwhal’s Otter Friend (2017)

In this follow-up, Narwhal and Jelly meet a new friend: an otter! They invite him to join their crew and have all kinds of fun adventures in the deep blue sea. The book introduces the value of friendship and the importance of including others. Plus, who doesn’t love an otter? If you’re looking for adorable sea creature antics, this is the one!

3. Narwhal: Best Book Ever! (2018)

Oh, it’s really hard to argue with the title of this one. Narwhal, as always, is a ball of sunshine, and this book is no different. Narwhal and Jelly have new adventures, new discoveries, and tons of laughs. This book touches on self-discovery, having fun, and just being yourself-though it’s not all about the deep stuff, it’s mostly about Narwhal’s infectious positivity and Jelly’s playful yet skeptical attitude!

4. Narwhal and Jelly: Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt (2019)

This one is a super fun superhero adventure! Narwhal and Jelly take on the roles of Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt, and let me tell you, they’re as heroic as they are hilarious. The book focuses on friendship, teamwork, and the ability to rise to the occasion-even if you’re an octopus and a narwhal with no formal superhero training. Seriously, it’s a delightful read for anyone who likes a little bit of quirky heroism with their underwater creatures!

5. Narwhal and Jelly: The Super Secret Diary (2020)

In this book, Narwhal and Jelly dive into a more personal realm, sharing their super secret thoughts and dreams in a diary format. Narwhal’s diary entries are full of pure joy and positive vibes, while Jelly’s are a bit more introspective. It’s a sweet, heartwarming story that shows that no matter how different you are from your friends, the love and laughter between them is what truly matters.

6. Narwhal and Jelly: Let’s Go Narwhaling! (2021)

This book invites readers to join Narwhal and Jelly on a fun, adventurous sea journey. It’s all about exploration, curiosity, and just going with the flow (of the ocean, of course!). Narwhal is up for anything, while Jelly is a little more skeptical-what else is new? But they both come to realize that life is all about the adventures you have and the friends you make along the way.

Background On Narwhal And Jelly Books

Ben Clanton first introduced readers to the whimsical underwater world of Narwhal, the ever-optimistic, bubble-loving unicorn of the sea, and his more grounded, slightly grumpy friend, Jelly, a jellyfish with a penchant for logic and sarcasm. The series blends the humor and simplicity of comic strips with the narrative depth of short chapter books, making it ideal for young readers transitioning from picture books to independent reading.

Each installment explores everyday adventures with a fantastical twist-Narwhal’s infectious enthusiasm often drives them into silly situations, while Jelly’s pragmatic nature balances the chaos with witty commentary. Clanton’s signature art style-clean, colorful, and expressive-perfectly complements the narrative, allowing illustrations to do as much storytelling as the text itself. Themes of friendship, acceptance, curiosity, and teamwork are consistently reinforced throughout the series, making the books both entertaining and subtly educational.

Reading Order Explained

The Narwhal and Jelly series is structured as a sequential yet loosely connected set of adventures. While each book can technically be enjoyed as a standalone story, reading them in order enriches the experience by allowing readers to follow the evolution of the characters’ friendship and personalities. The general reading order is:

1. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea – The debut book introduces Narwhal and Jelly and establishes their contrasting personalities, setting the stage for countless underwater adventures.
2. Narwhal’s Otter Friend – Expands the universe by introducing new friends and challenges, highlighting the series’ recurring themes of cooperation and problem-solving.
3. Narwhal’s School of Fun – Focuses on imaginative play and learning, emphasizing creativity and curiosity.
4. Narwhal’s Happy Day – A celebratory story about joy, generosity, and the small wonders in life, perfect for reinforcing positivity.
5. Narwhal’s Treasure Hunt – Adds a mild mystery element, combining humor, adventure, and teamwork in a narrative that encourages exploration and thinking outside the box.

Clanton occasionally releases spin-offs and smaller titles featuring the duo, but the core arc follows the development of Narwhal and Jelly’s friendship and adventures.

What I Like About The Series?

One of the most compelling aspects of the Narwhal and Jelly books is their ability to balance simplicity with depth. The stories are accessible to early readers but layered enough to reward repeated readings. Narwhal’s endless optimism paired with Jelly’s dry humor creates a dynamic that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

The artwork deserves special mention. Clanton’s illustrations are expressive and engaging, with a playful color palette that brings the underwater world to life. The characters’ emotions are conveyed visually as much as through dialogue, helping young readers understand nuance and emotional context.

Another highlight is the subtle educational value. While not overtly didactic, the series encourages curiosity about the natural world, problem-solving, creativity, and empathy. For example, when Narwhal and Jelly explore a new idea or tackle a small challenge, readers are subtly learning about persistence, teamwork, and thinking critically-all wrapped in humor and charm.

Should You Read Narwhal And Jelly Books In Order?

While each book is enjoyable on its own, reading the series in order enhances both character development and narrative cohesion. The gradual evolution of Narwhal and Jelly’s friendship, along with recurring jokes and themes, is more satisfying when experienced chronologically. Young readers, especially, benefit from seeing how characters respond to new challenges over time, as it mirrors real-life social and emotional learning.

That said, the series’ episodic nature means no reader will be lost if they start in the middle. Each adventure is self-contained, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, so diving in at any point remains enjoyable. However, for the full experience of humor, emotional depth, and relational growth, following the suggested reading order is recommended.