What do you think?
Rate this book
Narwhal and Jelly #10
A Waffle Lot of Love!
The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and somewhat cynical sidekick, Jelly.
In this hilarious 10th book, Narwhal's PALentine's Day celebrations for Jelly go a little overboard! Includes bonus fun facts!
Dive into three new stories with best buds Narwhal and Jelly! It's PALentine's Day and Jelly gives Narwhal a whaley nice card — but now Narwhal has no idea what to give him! One card isn't nearly enough, and soon Narwhal is flooding Jelly with gifts galore: waffles, a book about Jelly, more waffles, a song about Jelly . . . MORE waffles!
Jelly is grateful, but would prefer the present of Narwhal's presence more than all of Narwhal's over-the-top displays of friendship. Can Narwhal realize what true friendship means before they go off the deep end trying to please their pal?
In this hilarious 10th book, Narwhal's PALentine's Day celebrations for Jelly go a little overboard! Includes bonus fun facts!
Dive into three new stories with best buds Narwhal and Jelly! It's PALentine's Day and Jelly gives Narwhal a whaley nice card — but now Narwhal has no idea what to give him! One card isn't nearly enough, and soon Narwhal is flooding Jelly with gifts galore: waffles, a book about Jelly, more waffles, a song about Jelly . . . MORE waffles!
Jelly is grateful, but would prefer the present of Narwhal's presence more than all of Narwhal's over-the-top displays of friendship. Can Narwhal realize what true friendship means before they go off the deep end trying to please their pal?
96 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2025
7 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Ben Clanton
60 books466 followersBen Clanton is the author/illustrator of the Narwhal and Jelly series as well as a number of other books as IT CAME IN THE MAIL, MO'S MUSTACHE, and TATER TALES. When Ben isn't doodling up stories (and often when he is) he likes to cook, explore outdoors, and play basketball. Ben lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and kids. Find out more about Ben at www.benclanton.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
April 27, 2025
We are big Narwhal and Jelly fans, so my girls and I were thrilled to get the ARC of their newest adventure from NetGalley.
In this installment, Narwhal and Jelly are celebrating PALentine’s Day. Jelly is ready to go on an adventure with Narwhal, but Narwhal wants to show his appreciation of Jelly through material objects first. As always, the illustrations and antics are amazing and hilarious. My kids couldn’t stop giggling and requested a re-read immediately after finishing the story. As an adult, I appreciate the real-life sea creature information as well as the emphasis that quality time is more important than material gifts. We will be purchasing this once it’s released at the end of the year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for an advanced copy of this book.
In this installment, Narwhal and Jelly are celebrating PALentine’s Day. Jelly is ready to go on an adventure with Narwhal, but Narwhal wants to show his appreciation of Jelly through material objects first. As always, the illustrations and antics are amazing and hilarious. My kids couldn’t stop giggling and requested a re-read immediately after finishing the story. As an adult, I appreciate the real-life sea creature information as well as the emphasis that quality time is more important than material gifts. We will be purchasing this once it’s released at the end of the year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for an advanced copy of this book.
June 12, 2025
We will definitely be adding this book to our primary school library. My students enjoy this series, and I have added all of the previous books to our collection as well. The message of this story is great- giving gifts to a friend is nice, but spending time together is the best gift of all. I love the farewell rhymes like “Gotta go, buffalo!” I feel like kids would pick up on those and start saying them with a friend. My students LOVE telling jokes, so I loved seeing a joke in there that they could share with a friend. The fun facts page is always a nice feature- kids really absorb them when presented along with a fun story. And I feel like parents and teachers who tend to discredit graphic novels would especially appreciate that feature. This story is fun, easily digestible, & appealing to young readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing this ARC for review!
Read
May 2, 2025My son and I have all of these books and adore them. My son was so excited when I told him we had an early ARC, and he got to read this before it was released! Thank you so much, Tundra books!
I assume you have read several other books in the series since this is book 10. It does have a lot of callbacks to their previous adventures. You can expect the same silliness, rhyming, and waffles as the other stories. This one is about their friendship and celebrating Valentine’s Day! It was truly adorable. Oh my goodness, this one is full of so many waffles! Haha. I loved the rhyming and the cute little catchphrases. My son was laughing out loud at all the phrases and silliness that Narwhal got up to. If your kids enjoyed the previous books in this series, they will like this one!
Thank you, Tundra Books, for the e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
I assume you have read several other books in the series since this is book 10. It does have a lot of callbacks to their previous adventures. You can expect the same silliness, rhyming, and waffles as the other stories. This one is about their friendship and celebrating Valentine’s Day! It was truly adorable. Oh my goodness, this one is full of so many waffles! Haha. I loved the rhyming and the cute little catchphrases. My son was laughing out loud at all the phrases and silliness that Narwhal got up to. If your kids enjoyed the previous books in this series, they will like this one!
Thank you, Tundra Books, for the e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
May 19, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
In the words of my 8 year old:
“I really liked this book! I thought it was super funny—especially how Narwhal keeps on talking even when Jelly is like, “What are you saying?” That part made me laugh. I love reading Narwhal and Jelly books because they’re just really funny and they feel like my type of book.
The only thing I didn’t like is that it was too short. I wanted it to be longer because I didn’t want it to end!
I also feel like I can relate to the characters—like, I kind of see myself in them. I think other kids would like this book too, especially if they like silly stories and funny friends.”
In the words of my 8 year old:
“I really liked this book! I thought it was super funny—especially how Narwhal keeps on talking even when Jelly is like, “What are you saying?” That part made me laugh. I love reading Narwhal and Jelly books because they’re just really funny and they feel like my type of book.
The only thing I didn’t like is that it was too short. I wanted it to be longer because I didn’t want it to end!
I also feel like I can relate to the characters—like, I kind of see myself in them. I think other kids would like this book too, especially if they like silly stories and funny friends.”
October 7, 2025
Oh how I love Narwhal and Jelly!! These are just fun books, plain and simple, and offer much needed respite from life.
This time around it is PALentine's Day and all Jelly wants to do is go on a grand adventure with Narwhal, but narwhal [waffles at the ready] has other plans. Many. Other. Plans. Will they get their adventure, or will the day be ruined? You'll have to read it to find out! ;-)
A excellent edition to this fantastic series, and one I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ben Clanton, and Tundra Book Group/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This time around it is PALentine's Day and all Jelly wants to do is go on a grand adventure with Narwhal, but narwhal [waffles at the ready] has other plans. Many. Other. Plans. Will they get their adventure, or will the day be ruined? You'll have to read it to find out! ;-)
A excellent edition to this fantastic series, and one I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ben Clanton, and Tundra Book Group/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
Best buddies, Narwhal and Jelly, are off on another adventure under the sea… well, they’re trying to be on an adventure, but they keep distracting themselves with ways to show each other how much they value their friendship. This is a fun and sweet graphic novel for young readers.
February 14, 2026
What 2 better friend to celebrate Palentine’s Day than Narwhal and Jelly? Love all the “see you later, alligator” type goodbyes, silly puns (shell phone), cute little books, and all those waffles! Where does Narwhal get them all? Book 10 is sure to please N&J fans!
February 5, 2026
This book is really cute and the overall theme is very fun and I love jellyfish 🪼😜
October 11, 2025
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!
A Waffle Lot’s Love! is another delightful addition to the Narwhal and Jelly series! This story beautifully highlights the importance of friendship and being there for the ones you care about. The illustrations are bright, fun, and full of personality, they kept my third grader completely engaged from start to finish.
We absolutely loved this ARC and can’t wait to purchase a physical copy to add to our collection. Ben Clanton continues to bring joy, humor, and heart to every page. We’re already looking forward to the next Narwhal and Jelly adventure!
#AWaffleLotsLove #NarwhalAndJelly #BenClanton #NetGalley #ARCReview #ChildrensBooks #PictureBooks #GraphicNovelsForKids #EarlyReaders #BookReview #KidLit #BookRecommendations #ParentApproved #ReadWithKids #BookLovers #FamilyReading #NarwhalAndJellySeries
A Waffle Lot’s Love! is another delightful addition to the Narwhal and Jelly series! This story beautifully highlights the importance of friendship and being there for the ones you care about. The illustrations are bright, fun, and full of personality, they kept my third grader completely engaged from start to finish.
We absolutely loved this ARC and can’t wait to purchase a physical copy to add to our collection. Ben Clanton continues to bring joy, humor, and heart to every page. We’re already looking forward to the next Narwhal and Jelly adventure!
#AWaffleLotsLove #NarwhalAndJelly #BenClanton #NetGalley #ARCReview #ChildrensBooks #PictureBooks #GraphicNovelsForKids #EarlyReaders #BookReview #KidLit #BookRecommendations #ParentApproved #ReadWithKids #BookLovers #FamilyReading #NarwhalAndJellySeries
May 15, 2025
Absolutely adorable!
Overall: 5⭐
Plot/Lesson:° 4📍
Smiles: 5 🤣
Illustrations: 5 🖌️
Suggested Ages: 3-8 y/o
"Mom's Review"
We're officially adding some of these flippin' fin-tastic animal puns to our family's lexicon! Mr. Clanton does it again with another adorable, silly, hilarious adventure between these two unlikely friends!
I will always remain impressed with how emotive his drawings are, despite their *relative* simplicity! Another superb addition to the Narwhal and Jelly collection!
A's Review^:
I love reading Narwhal and Jelly! We have a few of their books at home so I was super excited when Mommy told me we'd get to read this one.
I thought the book was really funny! Especially when Jelly said "This Jellyfish has gotta swish!"
I really liked [all the puns and silly plays on ocean terms] throughout the book! And the really big gift Narwhal gives Jelly was just so silly!
C's Review°:
[I requested a re-read same night but fell asleep halfway through the second reading! Oops! But I never stopped giggling the whole time we read this one!]
(Full review to come!)
Thank you to Ben Clanton, Tundra Book Group, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
All opinions are our own.
° = Our Plot/Lesson rating is how well the kiddos picked up on the morals/lessons learned or well recieved the facts were.
^ = A, "Ready to Read" level 3, voracious reader
* = C, learning her letters, but memorizes stories well!
I paraphrase the kids’ opinions 90% of the time, but will call out their direct quotes.
Overall: 5⭐
Plot/Lesson:° 4📍
Smiles: 5 🤣
Illustrations: 5 🖌️
Suggested Ages: 3-8 y/o
"Mom's Review"
We're officially adding some of these flippin' fin-tastic animal puns to our family's lexicon! Mr. Clanton does it again with another adorable, silly, hilarious adventure between these two unlikely friends!
I will always remain impressed with how emotive his drawings are, despite their *relative* simplicity! Another superb addition to the Narwhal and Jelly collection!
A's Review^:
I love reading Narwhal and Jelly! We have a few of their books at home so I was super excited when Mommy told me we'd get to read this one.
I thought the book was really funny! Especially when Jelly said "This Jellyfish has gotta swish!"
I really liked [all the puns and silly plays on ocean terms] throughout the book! And the really big gift Narwhal gives Jelly was just so silly!
C's Review°:
[I requested a re-read same night but fell asleep halfway through the second reading! Oops! But I never stopped giggling the whole time we read this one!]
(Full review to come!)
Thank you to Ben Clanton, Tundra Book Group, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
All opinions are our own.
° = Our Plot/Lesson rating is how well the kiddos picked up on the morals/lessons learned or well recieved the facts were.
^ = A, "Ready to Read" level 3, voracious reader
* = C, learning her letters, but memorizes stories well!
I paraphrase the kids’ opinions 90% of the time, but will call out their direct quotes.
May 5, 2025
Way cute! I love the illustrations. I think the way this mixes random-ness with facts and fun makes so much sense for the age group.
July 16, 2025
I want to say thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing my children and me the privilege of being able to read this book. I really appreciate it!
My boys (8 and 10) have actually never read the Narwal and Jelly series before, despite seeing the other books many times before in the store. But after today it was very obvious that they've got a new obsession! I had my boys trade off on reading different pages of this book well we all sat together. They thought this was a laugh riot and give it a thousand thumbs up!
This series is most definitely up the alley of grades 1 to 6 in Canada. Despite the age rating, I know kids of all ages will love the silliness and fun inside this book! There are a handful of larger words in this book that might take younger kids a minute to sound out, but between this and the good clean fun it's also great for older kids who will want a quick, comfy, silly read. Even I really enjoyed it! This was easy for them both to read, some of the jokes (adults you'll get a chuckle too I promise) took them a minute to get but when they got them the laughter was contagious. Honestly the laughter was almost non-stop except for the really sweet moments this books brings around! 'A Waffle Lot of Love' reminds me so much of the goodness and fun in the Pigeon series by Mo Willems and the Weenie Series by Maureen Fergus.
If you're looking for a very sweet short chapter book and/ or series that delivers on a great reading experience that draws your kids in and has clean fun and some silliness this book and this series I know will be it! It will also be fantastic for Valentine's Day as that's the theme it plays off but they call it Palentines day! My kids are now so excited to be able to read Narwal and Jellys previous adventures! Thank you so much for giving them a brand new series to love!
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for providing us with a snuggle time full of laughs, love and a new series and book were going to love together! I truly appreciate it!
My boys (8 and 10) have actually never read the Narwal and Jelly series before, despite seeing the other books many times before in the store. But after today it was very obvious that they've got a new obsession! I had my boys trade off on reading different pages of this book well we all sat together. They thought this was a laugh riot and give it a thousand thumbs up!
This series is most definitely up the alley of grades 1 to 6 in Canada. Despite the age rating, I know kids of all ages will love the silliness and fun inside this book! There are a handful of larger words in this book that might take younger kids a minute to sound out, but between this and the good clean fun it's also great for older kids who will want a quick, comfy, silly read. Even I really enjoyed it! This was easy for them both to read, some of the jokes (adults you'll get a chuckle too I promise) took them a minute to get but when they got them the laughter was contagious. Honestly the laughter was almost non-stop except for the really sweet moments this books brings around! 'A Waffle Lot of Love' reminds me so much of the goodness and fun in the Pigeon series by Mo Willems and the Weenie Series by Maureen Fergus.
If you're looking for a very sweet short chapter book and/ or series that delivers on a great reading experience that draws your kids in and has clean fun and some silliness this book and this series I know will be it! It will also be fantastic for Valentine's Day as that's the theme it plays off but they call it Palentines day! My kids are now so excited to be able to read Narwal and Jellys previous adventures! Thank you so much for giving them a brand new series to love!
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for providing us with a snuggle time full of laughs, love and a new series and book were going to love together! I truly appreciate it!
July 3, 2025
A Waffle Lot of Love is the tenth installment in Ben Clanton’s beloved Narwhal and Jelly series and is scheduled for release on December 30, 2025. This Valentine’s—or rather, Pal-entine’s—themed story offers a heartwarming and humorous take on friendship that’s perfect for middle-grade readers.
In this charming tale, Jelly gives Narwhal a thoughtful handmade card to celebrate Pal-entine’s Day. Narwhal, in turn, struggles to come up with the perfect gift, unintentionally forgetting their planned adventure. What follows is a sweet and relatable story about thoughtfulness, appreciation, and what it truly means to show you care.
As with the previous books in the series, the illustrations are whimsical and full of energy, making the graphic novel format especially appealing to younger middle-grade readers—particularly those who may be transitioning from early readers to chapter books. The humor, especially the puns, is clever and engaging, striking a great balance between silliness and sincerity.
One of the standout aspects of this story is its subtle introduction to the idea of love languages. Through Narwhal’s attempts to express his appreciation, readers can begin to explore different ways people show and receive care—whether through acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, or giving gifts. It’s a thoughtful message wrapped in a fun and accessible package.
I also appreciate how the series continues its tradition of incorporating short educational interludes. These nonfiction breaks not only add depth to the story but may also support readers who benefit from varied pacing or who enjoy fun facts alongside fiction.
I highly recommend this title for fans of the series, educators, and caregivers looking for a playful, heart-centered read that celebrates friendship and learning.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this charming tale, Jelly gives Narwhal a thoughtful handmade card to celebrate Pal-entine’s Day. Narwhal, in turn, struggles to come up with the perfect gift, unintentionally forgetting their planned adventure. What follows is a sweet and relatable story about thoughtfulness, appreciation, and what it truly means to show you care.
As with the previous books in the series, the illustrations are whimsical and full of energy, making the graphic novel format especially appealing to younger middle-grade readers—particularly those who may be transitioning from early readers to chapter books. The humor, especially the puns, is clever and engaging, striking a great balance between silliness and sincerity.
One of the standout aspects of this story is its subtle introduction to the idea of love languages. Through Narwhal’s attempts to express his appreciation, readers can begin to explore different ways people show and receive care—whether through acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, or giving gifts. It’s a thoughtful message wrapped in a fun and accessible package.
I also appreciate how the series continues its tradition of incorporating short educational interludes. These nonfiction breaks not only add depth to the story but may also support readers who benefit from varied pacing or who enjoy fun facts alongside fiction.
I highly recommend this title for fans of the series, educators, and caregivers looking for a playful, heart-centered read that celebrates friendship and learning.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2026
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Narwhal is excited that it is PALentine's Day, and intends to celebrate all of his good friends, especially Jelly. Jelly is looking forward to going on an adventure with Narwhal, but every time he thinks they are going to embark on it, Narwhal rushes off with another great idea to celebrate his friend. He brings Jelly a card and even a book, as well as lots and lots of waffles, but Jelly just really wants to spend time with his friend. Narwhal, on the other hand, goes forward with even more ludicrous plans like performing as the Blue-Booted Boogies, commandeering Jelly to play air guitar before rushing off yet again. Finally, when Narwhal rushes off to build a friend ship, Jelly has had enough. He tells Narwhal how neglected he is feeling, and the two decide that they can build the ship together.
This beginning reader graphic novel has large, clear text, integrated with amusing, well placed pictures. Narwhal's own novels look different from the rest of the text, but are just as cute.
The message about spending time with friends is a good one. Narwhal is a little overly enthusiastic, but this contrasts nicely with Jelly's practical stoicism. I can see kindergartners giggling over the antics of these friends quite a bit.
There is a bit of nonfictional information about symbiotic relationships among sea animals, which is a nice touch, but nowhere does it tell us how narwhal is getting all of those waffles in the sea!
Friend duos are always fun to read, and Narwhal and Jelly would get along quite well with Fosberry and Pate's Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey, Jarvis' Bird and Bear Picnic, Song's Donut Feed Squirells, or Breen's Ty and Sky.
Narwhal is excited that it is PALentine's Day, and intends to celebrate all of his good friends, especially Jelly. Jelly is looking forward to going on an adventure with Narwhal, but every time he thinks they are going to embark on it, Narwhal rushes off with another great idea to celebrate his friend. He brings Jelly a card and even a book, as well as lots and lots of waffles, but Jelly just really wants to spend time with his friend. Narwhal, on the other hand, goes forward with even more ludicrous plans like performing as the Blue-Booted Boogies, commandeering Jelly to play air guitar before rushing off yet again. Finally, when Narwhal rushes off to build a friend ship, Jelly has had enough. He tells Narwhal how neglected he is feeling, and the two decide that they can build the ship together.
This beginning reader graphic novel has large, clear text, integrated with amusing, well placed pictures. Narwhal's own novels look different from the rest of the text, but are just as cute.
The message about spending time with friends is a good one. Narwhal is a little overly enthusiastic, but this contrasts nicely with Jelly's practical stoicism. I can see kindergartners giggling over the antics of these friends quite a bit.
There is a bit of nonfictional information about symbiotic relationships among sea animals, which is a nice touch, but nowhere does it tell us how narwhal is getting all of those waffles in the sea!
Friend duos are always fun to read, and Narwhal and Jelly would get along quite well with Fosberry and Pate's Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey, Jarvis' Bird and Bear Picnic, Song's Donut Feed Squirells, or Breen's Ty and Sky.
February 14, 2026
My girls love the Narwhal and Jelly books! So it was no surprise that they loved this book, the keychain and PALentine’s day cards!
8yr old: I like that Narwhal was trying to do so much for Jelly. He kept running away from Jelly to go do the next thing. And all Jelly wanted was to spend time with Narwhal. I especially like that Narwhal made Jelly so many books! Also “unfathomably” and “anemone” are hard and funny words to say! I like how the author wrote: sea-ing, shello, friend-ship, ink-credible, fintastic, shellabrate…
5yr old: I love all the pancakes!
My review: The book introduces PALentine’s Day which is a sweet (and pun-perfect!) way of celebrating this weekend. I love how this story highlights that while thoughtful gifts are fun, the real treasure is time spent together 💛 That message landed for my girls in a natural, lighthearted way without ever feeling preachy.
The humor is always spot-on in this series 😂 The puns, silly antics and those signature farewell rhymes like “Gotta go, buffalo!” 🐃 make it endlessly rereadable. It’s no surprise my 8-year-old especially loved the wordplay. These books are such a fun way to build vocabulary and spark a love of language ✨
And the fun facts page! It’s such a clever way to sneak in real ocean facts alongside a graphic novel format. Kids get engaging nonfiction nuggets while they’re laughing their way through the story 😄 plus it’s a great talking point for adults who underestimate graphic novels.
If your kids love telling jokes, this series is such a gift 🎉 It encourages creativity, humor and friendship all at once 💙
Thank you to @benclantoon and @tundrabooks for this #gifted book.
8yr old: I like that Narwhal was trying to do so much for Jelly. He kept running away from Jelly to go do the next thing. And all Jelly wanted was to spend time with Narwhal. I especially like that Narwhal made Jelly so many books! Also “unfathomably” and “anemone” are hard and funny words to say! I like how the author wrote: sea-ing, shello, friend-ship, ink-credible, fintastic, shellabrate…
5yr old: I love all the pancakes!
My review: The book introduces PALentine’s Day which is a sweet (and pun-perfect!) way of celebrating this weekend. I love how this story highlights that while thoughtful gifts are fun, the real treasure is time spent together 💛 That message landed for my girls in a natural, lighthearted way without ever feeling preachy.
The humor is always spot-on in this series 😂 The puns, silly antics and those signature farewell rhymes like “Gotta go, buffalo!” 🐃 make it endlessly rereadable. It’s no surprise my 8-year-old especially loved the wordplay. These books are such a fun way to build vocabulary and spark a love of language ✨
And the fun facts page! It’s such a clever way to sneak in real ocean facts alongside a graphic novel format. Kids get engaging nonfiction nuggets while they’re laughing their way through the story 😄 plus it’s a great talking point for adults who underestimate graphic novels.
If your kids love telling jokes, this series is such a gift 🎉 It encourages creativity, humor and friendship all at once 💙
Thank you to @benclantoon and @tundrabooks for this #gifted book.
June 10, 2025
Narwhal and Jelly are the best of friends, and despite their differences, they care deeply about one another. Palentine’s Day has finally arrived, and Narwhal wants to make the day extra special for Jelly. From kind words to lavish expressions of affection, Narwhal creates ever more detailed gifts to show Jelly how much they care. But as the day wears on and the two companions spend very little time together, Jelly decides that a shift in perspective will make it the best Palentine’s Day ever. This tenth in the Narwhal and Jelly series mirrors the design and delivery of the companion stories. Designed as a graphic novel, the plot unfolds primarily through word bubbles and imagery in thoughtfully crafted scenes. The illustrations alternate between the recognizable imagery from the series and hand-drawn creations by both Narwhal and Jelly, giving the book a dynamic and engaging visual quality. Though Narwhal and Jelly are the primary protagonists of the narrative, several familiar faces from previous installments appear within the book, as well. Brief lines of dialogue form the bulk of the story, making this graphic novel well suited to young children who are becoming increasingly independent readers. Additionally, an aside featuring factual information about real life symbiotic relationships is included, reinforcing the truth behind this fictional tale. Entertaining and accessible, this reflection of friendship is a positive addition to the Narwhal and Jelly series and to library collections for young elementary school-aged readers, as well.
July 29, 2025
Thank you to Ben Clanton and Tundra Book Group (through Netgalley) for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Yay Narwhal and Jelly! Every single one of these novels is an absolute delight, and a great way to introduce younger children to reading and graphic novels. They're short, fun, and waffley sweet.
A Waffle Lot of Love is the tenth installment in the Narwhal and Jelly series. They're best friends, and Palentine’s Day is the PERFECT day to celebrate. So when Jelly gives Narwhal a card to celebrate, things quickly spiral out of control (in Narwhal fashion). Kids will learn the real meaning of friendship, and have a fantastic time.
As always there are some great creature facts included!
My household LOVES Narwhal and Jelly books. The illustrations are adorable, the puns are endless, and Narwhal & Jelly are a great example of how friendships should be. They work through problems together, and while they may not always agree, they always find ways to communicate and compromise.
I highly recommend this book (and the whole series) to families with younger kids. My 5 and 3 year olds were giggling through the entire book! It's one of our go-to series that we've been reading since before they could both walk. And if you're already a fan, you'll be absolutely delighted by A Waffle Lot of Love.
Available December 30, 2025
Yay Narwhal and Jelly! Every single one of these novels is an absolute delight, and a great way to introduce younger children to reading and graphic novels. They're short, fun, and waffley sweet.
A Waffle Lot of Love is the tenth installment in the Narwhal and Jelly series. They're best friends, and Palentine’s Day is the PERFECT day to celebrate. So when Jelly gives Narwhal a card to celebrate, things quickly spiral out of control (in Narwhal fashion). Kids will learn the real meaning of friendship, and have a fantastic time.
As always there are some great creature facts included!
My household LOVES Narwhal and Jelly books. The illustrations are adorable, the puns are endless, and Narwhal & Jelly are a great example of how friendships should be. They work through problems together, and while they may not always agree, they always find ways to communicate and compromise.
I highly recommend this book (and the whole series) to families with younger kids. My 5 and 3 year olds were giggling through the entire book! It's one of our go-to series that we've been reading since before they could both walk. And if you're already a fan, you'll be absolutely delighted by A Waffle Lot of Love.
Available December 30, 2025
August 1, 2025
Our household loves the "Narwal and Jelly" series! These stories are suitable for all ages; adult readers can enjoy them just as much as younger readers/listeners because there is always a positive lesson to be learned. In "A Waffle Lot of Love," it's the tenth adventure for the dynamic duo, but each story reads like the first. Narwal learns from Jelly that it's "Palentine's Day, and he spends the rest of the day coming up with ways to show Jelly how much he means to him. Narwal thinks up humorous phrases for Jelly (sure to get a giggle and repeat from younger readers), and together they teach each other what it means to be a good "pal," on this day and every day.
"A Waffle Lot of Love" follows the same format as the previous books, which is great because it includes a little bit of everything: story, animal facts, comic book superheroes, colorful illustrations, and lots of waffles! This book would make the perfect addition to a Valentine's basket/any holiday gift, a gift for your favorite pal, or purchased any time for your home library because you can't get enough of Narwal and Jelly!
Thanks to NetGalley, Tundra Books, and Ben Clanton for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
"A Waffle Lot of Love" follows the same format as the previous books, which is great because it includes a little bit of everything: story, animal facts, comic book superheroes, colorful illustrations, and lots of waffles! This book would make the perfect addition to a Valentine's basket/any holiday gift, a gift for your favorite pal, or purchased any time for your home library because you can't get enough of Narwal and Jelly!
Thanks to NetGalley, Tundra Books, and Ben Clanton for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Reading the latest installment from Narwhal and Jelly is a heartwarming way to close out 2025.
Narwhal and Jelly are celebrating Palentine's Day together. While Narwhal is showering Jelly with waffles and homemade books, the lopsided efforts for the day are confusing our favorite jellyfish.
After all, it takes more than one person to build a friendship (a literal ship, BTW).
Some delightful things you will find inside this new release:
😎Oodles of great quips to use when saying good-bye to your buddy:
Toodle-oo, Kangaroo🦘
Won't be long, King Kong 🦧
Ciao for now, dairy cow 🐄
And more. . .
🧇Lots and lots of waffles (round and heart-shaped). Narwhal does not mess around when it comes to his favorite treat.
🐚A humorous interlude with a shell phone. Shello?
🐠Some fascinating facts about sea creatures -- always one of my favorite features.
🧇🍓A new episode of Super Waffle and Strawberry Sidekick. Can they fend off a Wicked Watermelon, a Nefarious Nectarine, and a Monstrous Mango?
Watch for more adventures from Narwhal and Jelly when they try out their new ship -- The Blue Boated Boogie. Stay tuned.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Tundra Books for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Narwhal and Jelly are celebrating Palentine's Day together. While Narwhal is showering Jelly with waffles and homemade books, the lopsided efforts for the day are confusing our favorite jellyfish.
After all, it takes more than one person to build a friendship (a literal ship, BTW).
Some delightful things you will find inside this new release:
😎Oodles of great quips to use when saying good-bye to your buddy:
Toodle-oo, Kangaroo🦘
Won't be long, King Kong 🦧
Ciao for now, dairy cow 🐄
And more. . .
🧇Lots and lots of waffles (round and heart-shaped). Narwhal does not mess around when it comes to his favorite treat.
🐚A humorous interlude with a shell phone. Shello?
🐠Some fascinating facts about sea creatures -- always one of my favorite features.
🧇🍓A new episode of Super Waffle and Strawberry Sidekick. Can they fend off a Wicked Watermelon, a Nefarious Nectarine, and a Monstrous Mango?
Watch for more adventures from Narwhal and Jelly when they try out their new ship -- The Blue Boated Boogie. Stay tuned.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Tundra Books for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2026
(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)
It's February, and you know what that means - Palentine's Day is once again upon us! Jellyfish is psyched to spend the day with his bestie Narwhal, but Narwhal is (almost) nowhere to be found. Jellyfish watches from the sidelines as the other oddball pairs of sea creatures make the most of the day, while Narwhal busies himself making gifts for Jellyfish. But the only gift Jellyfish needs is Narwhal's company. Let's hope that crossed signals won't come between these ride or dies and a most excellent holiday.
I kind of love that Clanton picked Galentine's Day as a jumping off point for the latest installment of Narwhal and Jelly. Given Narwhal's penchant for waffles, it seems like the perfect fit, and also makes me wonder if Clayton is a PARKS AND REC fan and/or based Narwhal at least partially on Leslie (now that I think about it, they do have a similar vibe). However, the main 'conflict' of the story is a little underwhelming, even if it did offer some great opportunities for extra cute artwork. Love the concept, just wish he'd taken it in a slightly different direction.
It's February, and you know what that means - Palentine's Day is once again upon us! Jellyfish is psyched to spend the day with his bestie Narwhal, but Narwhal is (almost) nowhere to be found. Jellyfish watches from the sidelines as the other oddball pairs of sea creatures make the most of the day, while Narwhal busies himself making gifts for Jellyfish. But the only gift Jellyfish needs is Narwhal's company. Let's hope that crossed signals won't come between these ride or dies and a most excellent holiday.
I kind of love that Clanton picked Galentine's Day as a jumping off point for the latest installment of Narwhal and Jelly. Given Narwhal's penchant for waffles, it seems like the perfect fit, and also makes me wonder if Clayton is a PARKS AND REC fan and/or based Narwhal at least partially on Leslie (now that I think about it, they do have a similar vibe). However, the main 'conflict' of the story is a little underwhelming, even if it did offer some great opportunities for extra cute artwork. Love the concept, just wish he'd taken it in a slightly different direction.
May 8, 2025
Narwhal and Jelly are fan favorites for my kids. In this story, they focus on Palentine’s Day (aka-best buddy day). While jelly wants to have a great adventure with Narwhal, Narwhal keeps getting distracted with tasks to show how much he appreciates Jelly.
Mom review: I’m sold because there was a nudibranch in the story! More students should be aware nudibranch. In all seriousness, we love the randomness and silliness of narwhal. This story had plenty of ways to say goodbye or see you later that were enjoyable.
Kids review: my kids (9 and 7) loved all the ridiculous amounts of waffles. They also love the illustrations as they find them easy to draw and inspires them to make their own stories. Their favorite part was the shell-phone. Kids love a good pun.
Educator review: I love the humor and lightheartedness of Narwhal and Jelly. The word play and silliness is hard for some students that are multi-linguistic or struggle with nuance, but will still laugh and giggle.
I loved the small section on symbiotic relationships! Great science connection.
Thanks @NetGalley and @TundraBookGroup for the advanced digital copy.
Mom review: I’m sold because there was a nudibranch in the story! More students should be aware nudibranch. In all seriousness, we love the randomness and silliness of narwhal. This story had plenty of ways to say goodbye or see you later that were enjoyable.
Kids review: my kids (9 and 7) loved all the ridiculous amounts of waffles. They also love the illustrations as they find them easy to draw and inspires them to make their own stories. Their favorite part was the shell-phone. Kids love a good pun.
Educator review: I love the humor and lightheartedness of Narwhal and Jelly. The word play and silliness is hard for some students that are multi-linguistic or struggle with nuance, but will still laugh and giggle.
I loved the small section on symbiotic relationships! Great science connection.
Thanks @NetGalley and @TundraBookGroup for the advanced digital copy.
June 19, 2025
A holiday about Friendship was not in Narwhal's head until he received a sweet card from Jelly. Narwhal has funny ways to say see you later as he continues to give gifts including waffles to Jelly. The corniness is top notch, but there is also a rock and roll band, details about ocean friends that need and help each other, a very funny comic book with super waffle and strawberry, and jokes along the way. I cannot put into words how much I LOVED this book! It feels longer (possibly due to digital reviewing) than the other books in the series, but I have it on my order already for next year in both of my elementary school libraries. I am sure it will be a big hit. Recommended for all libraries (and classrooms) serving young readers.
I was hooked into Graphic novels for my younger students by reading the first Narwhal and Jelly. Ben Clanton remains consistent throughout this series and keeps adding bits that make it even more enjoyable for those adults bringing this book into our classroom and library collections. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing the chance to review this digitally!
I was hooked into Graphic novels for my younger students by reading the first Narwhal and Jelly. Ben Clanton remains consistent throughout this series and keeps adding bits that make it even more enjoyable for those adults bringing this book into our classroom and library collections. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing the chance to review this digitally!
January 22, 2026
In this tenth book of the Narwhal and Jelly series, Jellyfish gives his best friend, a PALentine's Day card before they head out on an adventure. After reading the card, Narwhal swims off to find a way to celebrate his friendship with Jelly, leaving Jelly confused. The three stories all revolve around Narwhal's eagerness to honor their friendship and Jelly's frustration in being left behind. With waffles galore and plenty of shenanigans, Narwhal and Jelly find a way to honor their friendship together. With a couple of 'books' inside the book that Narwhal makes for Jelly, readers get a glimpse into the strong bond between the two friends. Some marine facts about symbiotic relationships and a Super Waffle and Strawberry Sidekick adventure round out the book. A fun ride for young readers who already love the series as well as for readers new to the series. There are plenty of fun puns and phrases included in the book and who wouldn't want to see a rock-and-roll costume for both friends (mustaches and blue boots to represent the Blue-Booted Boogies). And of course, there are many waffles as well as an air guitar that Jelly loses track of for a moment before he remembers where he put it. A great addition to a popular series.
May 17, 2025
My kids and I have enjoyed previous installments of the Narwhal and Jelly series and they were so excited that I received an e-ARC of the newest adventure of these adorable best friends!
This graphic novel for early readers is absolutely adorable, with cute illustrations, witty puns, and fun "see you later" rhymes. The story is focused on PAL-entines day where Jelly wants to spend the day with his best buddy Narwhal, but Narwhal keeps getting distracted with all the ways he wants to show his appreciation for Jelly. The back and forth is really fun and cute!
My 9 year old thought it was really funny and cute. She says she loved that it was all about friendship and kindness and how to treat others with respect and that it is a good message for kids to read about.
Overall another winner in the Narwhal and Jelly series! Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are our own.
This graphic novel for early readers is absolutely adorable, with cute illustrations, witty puns, and fun "see you later" rhymes. The story is focused on PAL-entines day where Jelly wants to spend the day with his best buddy Narwhal, but Narwhal keeps getting distracted with all the ways he wants to show his appreciation for Jelly. The back and forth is really fun and cute!
My 9 year old thought it was really funny and cute. She says she loved that it was all about friendship and kindness and how to treat others with respect and that it is a good message for kids to read about.
Overall another winner in the Narwhal and Jelly series! Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are our own.
June 13, 2025
A Waffle Lot of Love! (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #10) is a “waffle lot of fun!” (Couldn’t resist). I was introduced to Narwhal and Jelly books by my granddaughter. When she was learning to read, she couldn’t get enough of them and read them over and over. Then she lent some of them to me to use for my reading tutoring, and all my learners loved them too. So we were so excited to see a new one! Palatine’s Day is genius! I hadn’t heard that term before, and wish I had - especially when I was still teaching in the classroom. We totally would have used it for Valentine’s day. It was fun to see that poor Jelly is still trying to keep up with Narwhal’s crazy ideas jumping from one thing to another. My granddaughter is 12 now and still a voracious reader. It’s fun to know that another generation of little readers gets to learn to read with Narwhal and Jelly too! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
April 10, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC! Some how I always seem to miss the latest Narwhal and Jelly so it was nice to read one WAY in advance.
It's time to celebrate best friends! Jelly gives Narwhal a card expressing all things loved being Narwhal's bestie. And looking forward to the exciting adventures for the day that they will share. But Narwhal gets distracted trying to tell Jelly how wonderful they are ---- and finally Jelly just has to put a stop to it all. While Narwhal is trying to build an actual friend ship.
Clanton includes a nice discussion of symbiotic relationships. And there are lots and lots and lots of waffles. Plus a running gag based on "See you later, alligator." It will be fun to see what kind of farewell kids can create.
It's time to celebrate best friends! Jelly gives Narwhal a card expressing all things loved being Narwhal's bestie. And looking forward to the exciting adventures for the day that they will share. But Narwhal gets distracted trying to tell Jelly how wonderful they are ---- and finally Jelly just has to put a stop to it all. While Narwhal is trying to build an actual friend ship.
Clanton includes a nice discussion of symbiotic relationships. And there are lots and lots and lots of waffles. Plus a running gag based on "See you later, alligator." It will be fun to see what kind of farewell kids can create.
February 8, 2026
I read A Waffle Lot of Love! through the Millions and Edioak Reader Program, and it is a delightful, cozy story full of charm, romance, and lighthearted fun.
The characters are relatable and endearing, with interactions that are sweet, playful, and emotionally satisfying. The small-town or cozy setting adds warmth, making the story feel inviting and cheerful.
The pacing is smooth, balancing romantic moments, humor, and personal growth in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The story delivers a comforting and uplifting experience.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy heartwarming contemporary romance with humor, charm, and characters that leave a lasting smile. The Millions and Edioak Reader Program introduced me to a story that is both sweet and memorable.
The characters are relatable and endearing, with interactions that are sweet, playful, and emotionally satisfying. The small-town or cozy setting adds warmth, making the story feel inviting and cheerful.
The pacing is smooth, balancing romantic moments, humor, and personal growth in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The story delivers a comforting and uplifting experience.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy heartwarming contemporary romance with humor, charm, and characters that leave a lasting smile. The Millions and Edioak Reader Program introduced me to a story that is both sweet and memorable.
April 14, 2025
I love this a waffle lot!
Ben did such a great job showing how amazing friendship can be and showing us how wonderful it is to be present in the moment, all while making us laugh. The illustrations never miss a beat, so detailed but simple at the same time. The word play is hilarious and easy enough for begginer to emerging readers to follow along with. I also enjoyed the fun facts that teach us a bit of symbiotic relationships. What a wonderful, clever story about friendship, even my teenager loved it!
Side note: the good-bye sayings had me cracking up, I can't wait to use them.
*Thank you to Ben Clanton, Netgalley and Tundra Book Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ben did such a great job showing how amazing friendship can be and showing us how wonderful it is to be present in the moment, all while making us laugh. The illustrations never miss a beat, so detailed but simple at the same time. The word play is hilarious and easy enough for begginer to emerging readers to follow along with. I also enjoyed the fun facts that teach us a bit of symbiotic relationships. What a wonderful, clever story about friendship, even my teenager loved it!
Side note: the good-bye sayings had me cracking up, I can't wait to use them.
*Thank you to Ben Clanton, Netgalley and Tundra Book Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 12, 2025
My students and I love love love this series and cannot get enough of Narwhal. Jelly and the rest of Ben Clanton's characters and titles. His draw along videos make him approachable and more loved by my students. So... needless to say I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of this one!
Love the puns and awesome phrasing in its humor! Love the knowledge about symbiotic relationships it shares. Love the illustrations! Love that it shows characters making their own books and gifts. I also love that it shows the difference between sharing your love and care for someone and for going overboard to the point where it can become "lovebombing". I also like that it emphasizes a friendship takes two and shouldn't be one-sided. Super cute addition to the series!
Love the puns and awesome phrasing in its humor! Love the knowledge about symbiotic relationships it shares. Love the illustrations! Love that it shows characters making their own books and gifts. I also love that it shows the difference between sharing your love and care for someone and for going overboard to the point where it can become "lovebombing". I also like that it emphasizes a friendship takes two and shouldn't be one-sided. Super cute addition to the series!
June 12, 2025
Narwhal and Jelly are a house favorite for us. My youngest child throughly enjoys graphic novels and she gravitated towards Narwhal and Jelly early on, but this particular addition to the series seems a bit stale and repetitive. It has very similar themes to the previous works in the series. There was no specific hook that made this one memorable, like a holiday or a specific theme that tied this one up in a nice bow. I did love the idea of spending time together being more special than the content of the gift, but it only came through on the last page. I am sure my little one will enjoy it, but as an adult reading to my children, it doesn’t give much entertainment except the occasional silly pun (I do enjoy those so much).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews