Say it with us, folks: sharks are AWESOME. Too often misunderstood, these incredible animals offer humankind a fascinating glimpse into history, with many shark species remaining largely unevolved over the last 150 million years; after all, why mess with perfection? Fortunately, there’s one group that seems to understand how unique and precious these creatures are: kids. In that spirit, here are some of our favorite picture books that take a deep dive into the fascinating world of sharks.
Shark Girl by Kate Beaton
This hilariously clever reimagining of a familiar tale opens on Shark Girl, a part-shark, part-human who is content to keep her distance from two-legged shore-dwellers. That is, until she gets swept up in Captain Barrett’s fishing net. Managing to escape, she seeks out a sea witch to gain legs, not for romance, but for revenge! A witty yet surprisingly conservationist story with a scrappy, charming protagonist, this one will appeal to young shark lovers and environmentalists alike.
Snarky Sharky by Bethan Clarke, Illustrated by Nikolas Ilic
The sarcastic and critical shark at the center of this pun-tastic tale is, frankly, fed up with his reef neighbors. From the annoyingly chipper dolphins to the funny-tasting clownfish to the dull color of the sand, everything about his current home is beneath his massive size and awe-inspiring power. Deciding to venture out into the wider world, Sharky is certain he will find something bigger and better… perhaps to his peril! Filled with aquatic puns and silly humor, little ones will enjoy this darkly comedic lesson in humility.
Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger by Patricia Newman, Illustrated by Becca Hall
Growing up in Africa and Italy, young Cristina Zenato developed a deep passion for the ocean and the ecosystems within it. She eventually moved to the Bahamas, where she experienced her first dive with sharks and was immediately taken with the graceful and largely gentle animals. Developing a relationship with the local sharks through treats and patience, she soon found them coming to her for help when they were injured by local fishing equipment. This fascinating tale of a real-life shark whisperer will leave those less familiar with the softer side of sharks captivated.
Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman, Illustrated by Scott Magoon
Jellyfish Bob is ready to start his “fun facts” show about sea creatures, not realizing that a shark is stalking up out of the shadows to eat him… or is he? So follow a series of “misunderstandings” — the shark wasn’t going to eat that baby seal; he only wanted to return her to her parents. Sniffing a bit of blood, the shark swirls into a frenzy, but only to give some terrified humans a Band-Aid for their scratch. Perhaps sharks aren’t as dangerous as they seem… or perhaps not. Silly yet educational fun that uses comedy to introduce a very real aspect of sharks: they are very dangerous, yet not as dangerous as people presume.
The Silver Shadow by Mariesa Dulak, Illustrated by Alea Marley
While exploring her favorite tidepools one day, a little girl notices a silver shadow: a baby shark who has become trapped in the pools with the low tide. The girl is concerned about the young shark and takes it upon herself to watch over it until dark, even standing up to her brother Sam and his friends when they suggest catching and selling it to local fishermen. A soft, simple, yet powerful tale of environmental custodianship with gorgeous artwork and an immensely satisfying ending.
My Busy Write-and-Wipe: Sharks by Scholastic Early Learners
It’s never too early to learn about sharks! This delightful entry into Scholastic’s Write-and-Wipe series acts as a fun, shark-themed introduction to letters, numbers, colors, and early fine motor skill development. Pre-readers and early learners can follow the playful sharks and their ocean friends through the pages as they practice tracing their ABCs and 1-2-3s. Overall, a great way to get little shark lovers interested in developing early motor and literacy skills.
Shark Lady: The True Story Of How Eugenie Clark Became The Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, Illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
When she was a child, there was no place Eugenie would rather be than the aquarium, and there was no type of fish that Eugenie loved more than the sharks. While many saw them as mindless eating machines, Eugenie saw fascinating and intelligent creatures. Eugenie dedicated her life to studying sharks and other marine life, fighting discrimination against her gender, and the public views of sharks the whole way. With wonderful artwork full of color, joy, and determination, and just a hint of fantasy, this title offers a stellar message: girls can be and do whatever they dream of — they must simply dive in.
Shawn Loves Sharks by Curtis Manley, Illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Shawn loves sharks — LOVES them. He has a shark costume, shark documentaries, and 127 books about sharks. When his teacher announces that each student will report on a predator chosen at random, he is devastated to receive not a shark, but a leopard seal. Who draws the shark? It’s Stacy, a girl he’s been teasing, who smugly points out that sharks eat leopard seals. However, as both kids learn more about their predators, they begin to bond over their mutual enthusiasms. A surprisingly complex tale of empathy — fascinatingly told from a bully’s point of view — that may help young readers reevaluate how they treat others.
Nugget & Fang by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Michael Slack
Nugget and Fang are the best friends in the ocean, so naturally, it’s very difficult for them when Nugget starts school — and even more so when his classmates and teachers inform him that sharks like Fang eat minnows like Nugget! When Nugget tells Fang and effectively ends their friendship, Fang is brokenhearted: being a shark doesn’t make him a bad guy… does it? He needs his best buddy, so he’ll have to figure out how to prove that being toothy doesn’t make you scary, but how? This one is a must-read; a humorous yet touching cautionary tale against stereotypes.
We hope that you and your young readers enjoy these books on sharks, and that they inspire you to look at our fierce and fascinating ocean friends in a different light. Happy reading!
Want more recommendations for young environmentalists? Check out our article on Books That Will Make Little Readers Want to Protect Endangered Species.
For all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
