National Geographic Explorer and photographer Kiliii Yuyan lives a wild life at the edge of the world! But he was once a young boy, preparing to move to the big city, sad about leaving behind his school and friends. To give him strength, his grandmother tells him the story of his ancestor and namesake, a magical hero who rode on the back of an orca in a desperate bid to save his people from starvation.
In the present day, Explorer Kiliii journeys up to the Arctic Circle of Greenland to photograph a dog sled race. Little does he know he’s about to be recruited for an expedition to find the elusive unicorn of the sea—the narwhal! But many things stand in his way, including melting glaciers and a rare attack by a hungry polar bear.
In Search of Narwhals is the story of Kiliii Yuyan’s love of exploration and how far it takes him. Along the way, he makes new friends, brushes up against danger on the ice, and draws strength and inspiration from his Indigenous Nanai ancestors. Life in the Arctic is changing faster than ever, but Kiliii is there to document it before it disappears forever.
Author
Jason Viola
JASON VIOLA grew up in a small farm town in Massachusetts, where he spent idle hours drawing comic strips about birds and cats. While his father’s affinity for woodworking and storytelling encouraged his creativity, his mother managed a menagerie of pets, spurring an interest in animals that continues today. Continuing to find inspiration from biology and through the lens of pop culture, he has written about manatees, amoebas, and flowers with a modern, satiric twist.
Learn More about Jason ViolaAuthor
National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids believes in the awesome power of science, exploration, and storytelling, and our children’s books bring the best of this incredible world directly to readers’ hands. Fun, colorful, and jam-packed with cool info, Nat Geo Kids books are also fact-checked, expert-reviewed, and 100 percent human-made—and from the only kids’ brand with roots in a world-class scientific organization. From leveled readers to photo-rich almanacs and from baby animals to dangerous dinosaurs, Nat Geo Kids has a book that will spark curiosity and ignite wonder in every young explorer!
Learn More about National Geographic Kids