Not Quite Narwhal – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Not Quite Narwhal

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2023

84%

WISE Score

A unicorn raised by narwhals discovers his true identity and learns to navigate two worlds in this ultra-gentle Netflix preschool series.

Not Quite Narwhal

show

TV-Y, 2023

84%

WISE Score

A unicorn raised by narwhals discovers his true identity and learns to navigate two worlds in this ultra-gentle Netflix preschool series.

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Screenwise Verdict

Not Quite Narwhal is the definition of safe, gentle preschool content. It checks every wholesome box: zero concerning content, positive social-emotional lessons, calm pacing, and sweet musical moments.

The catch? It's also pretty forgettable. This is competent DreamWorks preschool fare that won't offend anyone or cause nightmares, but it also won't blow your mind. The identity-exploration premise (unicorn discovers he's not a narwhal) is charming enough, but the execution is standard-issue Netflix Kids material.

If you have a 2-4 year old and need something truly worry-free to put on while you make dinner, this fits the bill. Just don't expect it to become anyone's favorite show or spark deep conversations. It's the oatmeal of kids' TV—nutritious, inoffensive, and perfectly fine, but nobody's getting excited about it.

Age Fit

Squarely aimed at 2-5 year olds. Common Sense Media's age 2+ rating is spot-on. Older preschoolers (4-5) might find it a bit babyish, and kids 6+ will likely be bored unless watching with younger siblings.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

TV-Y rated with zero violence, profanity, sexual content, or substance use. Models acceptance, kindness, and social-emotional learning through gentle storytelling. Characters navigate differences with empathy and support. Pacing is calm and age-appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers.

Imaginative

Whimsical premise of a unicorn raised by narwhals exploring two worlds (underwater and surface) offers some creative potential. Based on a picture book series, so built on established imaginative foundation. However, the execution is fairly straightforward preschool fare without particularly inventive storytelling or unique visual style that would elevate it beyond standard DreamWorks kids content.

Safe

Essentially spotless. Common Sense Media marks all concern categories as 'Not present.' Available on Netflix Kids mode. No surprises, no scary content, no inappropriate themes. The only minor caveat is MovieGuide's note about identity exploration themes, which some traditional families may want to preview, but this doesn't constitute a safety concern for the vast majority of viewers.

Enriching

Strong social-emotional learning focus with clear lessons about celebrating differences, belonging, and navigating multiple communities. Models realistic peer interactions for preschoolers. Musical elements add educational value. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused rather than deeply educational—no cognitive skill-building or academic content beyond basic empathy lessons.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Literally zero concerning content—no violence, scary moments, or inappropriate themes
Models healthy peer relationships and celebrates differences in realistic, age-appropriate ways
Musical storytelling keeps toddlers engaged while reinforcing positive messages
Perfect background show for littles that won't make parents cringe or worry about surprise scary scenes

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What to Watch For

The identity-exploration theme (unicorn discovering he's not actually a narwhal) has been read by some faith-based reviewers as potentially touching on gender identity concepts—preview if that matters to your family
It's pretty... bland. Safe and sweet, but not particularly creative or memorable compared to other preschool offerings
IMDb rating of 6.4 suggests even within kids' content, this is middle-of-the-road

Conversation Starters

"Kelp has two families—his narwhal family and his unicorn friends. Do you know anyone who has two different groups they belong to?"
"How do you think Kelp felt when he found out he was different from his narwhal family? Have you ever felt different?"
"What's something special about you that makes you unique, like Kelp's horn?"

Stills

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