It’s that time of year when we’re taking to the beaches and admiring the oceans on summer vacations. With all the appeal of the ocean, there’s one thing lurking in the waters that’s sure to make some swimmers hesitant to dive in. Sharks. And if you’ve only read or watched Jaws, well, then sharks seem terrifying. But there’s a lot more to the sea creatures than just their bloodthirsty reputation! A large number of shark breeds are actually endangered species due to overfishing and other concerns. We’re a bigger threat to them than they are to us. So here are a few book recommendations to learn more about these interesting sea creatures and how to save them!
Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn
Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn is one of the few books with a positive interpretation of sharks. In this novel, the shark saves a child who fell overboard, and the parents believe their child is blessed afterward. It’s definitely a change of pace to have the shark as a blessing instead of a curse within a novel, and this one is a great read because of it!
Why Sharks Matter by David Shiffman
Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World’s Most Misunderstood Predator by David Shiffman is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about sharks’ past reputation in media. It covers all of the subjects any shark enthusiast could want to know, from their importance in the ocean to what we can do to help them. So next time someone tells you that they hate sharks, this is the perfect book to show them that the truth is that sharks are important to our oceans.
Chasing Shadows by Greg Skomal
If you’re a fan of great white sharks after Jaws, this one is perfect. Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark by Greg Skomal covers his experiences as a great white shark expert. He discusses his efforts to save them and his struggle to do so with public opinion of them being so negative. Since this is one of the newer shark books out there, it’s a great way to see some of the more modern struggles to protect sharks. Since the book is focused on conservation efforts, if anyone wants to learn more about what it’s like to try and save a species, this is a great choice.
Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez
Sharks aren’t some scary creature that only adults should learn about. Kids can love sharks too! Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez is about ocean conservation as well, but with beautiful art and design that kids will fall in love with. So if you want your little ones to enjoy shark week, but think some of the deeper topics might be too much, try Mother of Sharks instead. You can never be too young to start appreciating the ocean!
Want more news about sharks to sink your teeth into? Check out this article.