(2) K-3 Shark! the herald angels sing. Santa Shark (who builds toys with his “eelves” and has a sleigh pulled by magical seahorses) is coming, and shark Edgar intends to be prepared. He’s full of ideas (making “Christmas cods,” singing “Christmas corals”) until the question of how to make it snow underwater leaves him at sea -- but a crab friend provides a creative solution. Let the many, many puns wash over you in this sea-set Santa story with buoyantly cartoony illustrations to match. “Jingle all the waaaves!”

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. Applegate and Santoso (Willodeen, rev. 9/21) pair for another creature story, this one a verse novel about an otter named Odder who lives off the coast of California near Monterey Bay. The tale is divided into three sections, beginning with "The Queen of Play," a reference to Odder's daredevil nature. But the opening poems are about sharks, foreshadowing what is about to happen. On this day Odder can't resist going a little too far, despite her more cautious friend Kairi's warnings, and is attacked by a great white shark; she manages to make her way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The second section flashes back to three years earlier, when as a baby Odder became separated from her mother and was rescued and painstakingly taught survival skills by the aquarium's aquarists. The final section returns to the present, as Odder, too injured to be returned to the wild, becomes a surrogate parent to another otter pup that has lost its mother. Applegate grounds the story in scientific fact, slipping in ­interesting details in a lyrical way, as when she talks about keystone species, "nature's glue, / holding habitats together." "Without otters, / sea urchins, purple as a bruise, / gobble kelp forests / until the ocean floor / becomes a barren wasteland." Santoso's tender black-and-white drawings, together with the large type, will make this novel very accessible and appealing to young animal lovers. Back matter includes a glossary; an author's note about Monterey Bay Aquarium and the real-life stories on which Odder's is based; and a selected bibliography.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) 1-3 Color by Elizabeth Kramer. This first installment in Chanani's comics series introduces sharks Kitana and Mack, best friends enjoying an undersea day together. When Kitana declares herself Shark Princess, Mack is confused ("What's a princess? And why do you want to be one?"), but he plays along after Kitana agrees to explore a shipwreck with him. While poking around the wreckage, they find a crown, and Kitana encourages Mack to declare himself a princess, too. Chanani keeps a tight focus on her characters in each of her panel illustrations, giving just enough detail in the backgrounds to establish setting and movement. She has a lot of fun with language, tossing in puns ("she shore would") and coining fishy lingo ("somefish") for the early-chapter-book crowd. Mack isn't sure he has what it takes to be a princess--that is until the duo stirs up some trouble, Kitana sustains a minor injury, and Mack saves the day. The story is gentle, but the theme--each of us gets to decide what to label ourselves--is deep.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gordy Wright. Forster describes shark and shark-like species in a tour through geologic time, from almost four hundred million years ago to the present day, highlighting ancient and modern creatures. The book mainly focuses on species with notable features: odd appendages such as a flattop dorsal fin, bony spikes, or a hammer-shaped head; the ability to survive in fresh water; and extremes in size. The shark profiles are accompanied by information about environmental conditions on land and water, contemporaneous marine species, fossil remains, and thoughtful explanations of the mass extinctions and extremes in climate that marked the end of each geologic period. Throughout the timeline are "Toolbox" asides, which creatively ­signal the behaviors, anatomical features, and adaptations that contributed to a group's survival. Wright's illustrations of sharks swimming through their watery habitats provide lots of details to observe; the creatures' rounded, cartoonlike eyes imbue them with personality.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) PS Illustrated by Galia Bernstein. "While kids write notes to Santa Claus, / Sharks line up for Santa Jaws." In this silly sea-sonal tale, readers and listeners meet a great-white-shark Santa, hammerhead reindeer, and (what else?) elfin-shark elves. ­Bernstein's clear, cartoony illustrations bring the creatures' big personalities (and their big mouths) to life as they belt out carols and prepare toothsome treats. Heos's rhymes bounce right along, and by the end Santa's work is done. "Waving a fin, he roars a good night: / FISHY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, / AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE!" A brief appended spread provides more information about the featured shark species.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Laurie Keller. In this colorful undersea tale, Keller's digitally rendered collages introduce a comical protagonist playing against type: a cheerful, smiling Great White Shark. Not satisfied with just being Great, our hero aims for bragging rights as the greatest shark in the book. But each time it tries to claim superiority, another shark steals its glory and contradicts these assumptions. For example, the Whale Shark announces it is the greatest because it is the biggest. So our Great White thinks perhaps it is the smallest, but, alas, that title goes to the Dwarf Lantern Shark. Maybe the smartest? Oops, that's the Hammerhead Shark. The fastest? Nope, the Mako wins by a nose in an amusing race. As the roll call continues, each new superlative shark reveals relevant facts about itself, such as the Whale Shark's declaration that it is the size of a school bus. Still seeking fame, the Great White studies an informative diagram of its anatomy to discover its greatest asset: those pearly whites, giving it the greatest smile. Young shark enthusiasts diving into Holub's fact-filled and humorous book can expand their knowledge with the suggested readings and websites appended; the book also includes a double-page compilation of "fintastic" shark facts.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) K-3 A bully of a shark learns the importance of friendship in this ocean-set retelling of Aesop's "The Lion and the Mouse." Sharky McShark, the "meanest, most fearsome creature" in the deep blue sea, relies on her size to bully and intimidate others: "Even the rocks get out of her way." When a small orange crab ­accidentally bounces off her fin, Sharky threatens to devour her. Fearing for her life, the crab pleads, "Spare my life and I promise I'll return the favor. You never know when YOU might need MY help." Sharky finds this notion preposterous ("Being a lone shark was best"), but her full-bodied gales of laughter send her tumbling into an old fishing net and down to the bottom of a deep, dark abyss. Finding herself utterly alone, Sharky longs for a friend and is surprised when none other than the small crustacean comes to her rescue. Murray's bold, buoyant screen-print and digital cartoon illustrations use dynamic shifts in color (from bright corals to dark blues and greens) and page layout (panels interspersed with double-page spreads, including one vertical spread highlighting the depth of the abyss) to trace Sharky's transformation from intimidating bully to lonely and helpless "sole" to grateful friend. Both playful and poignant, this fable gently reminds readers that everybody could use a little help.

Reviewer: Emmie Stuart | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) 4-6 Lucy's mother died researching sharks when Lucy was young. Now, during a summer project studying the great white sharks near their Rockport, Massachusetts, home, Lucy's best friend Fred dies in a tragic accident. Lucy turns to her mother's unfinished research and finds a way to strengthen remembered connections among her mother, Fred, and those still present in her life. Fluid writing adds depth to the meticulously drawn characters' emotional journeys.

Reviewer: Sarah Berman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) K-3 Steve tells us his fellow sea creatures are afraid of him, though he's a small, inoffensive-looking fish. Eventually, he introduces his best friend, George--a shark. Back matter explains that Steve is a pilot fish who keeps sharks free of parasites in exchange for protection, a mutualistic relationship. An engaging direct-address text, humorous speech-bubble asides, and cartoony double-page-spread illustrations add up to success.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Just Ask! series. This well-organized question-and-answer book leads readers through a selection of facts, including descriptions of sharks and related species, their food sources, and how they care for their young. The questions range from standard, such as a focus on shark teeth, to creative connections to science concepts ("Do sharks fly?"). Lots of up-close shark photographs are set against colorful backgrounds. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: They Survived series. In clear, vivid texts, these series entries tell the true stories of two courageous individuals: surfer Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack, and professional climber Ralston, who amputated his own hand to escape being trapped in a canyon. Both books rely on photographs from their movie versions, clearly noted in the captions, and include tips on dealing with deadly situations. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: They Survived titles: Surviving a Canyon and Surviving a Shark Attack

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 The titular half-shark, half-dog pet (Shark Dog!) is back and making his child's ordinary school nature trip way more interesting. While his curiosity may get the better of him, Shark Dog's got a nose for helping: he rescues a distressed bear cub and shows lost class members their way home. Adamson's pencil and watercolor illustrations help ground this quirky animal hero.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. Nate loves to pretend that he's a shark, although his older brother points out that real sharks can swim. So Nate takes lessons, conquering his fear of the water and ultimately beating his brother in a competition. The humorous stylized cartoons make the most of Shark Nate-O's triumph in this appealing fantasy for both shark lovers and the water avoidant.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Magoon. Dyckman's quick-witted, humorous text stars Shark, who interrupts a marine-animal crew making a live underwater television show. Shark feels very misunderstood, and shark facts shared throughout support Shark's claims. Magoon's expressive illustrations pop off the page, and word-bubble asides from fish plus fantastic page-turns sustain the suspense; the twist ending is reminiscent of Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Science Comics series. This continuing series gives the graphic-novel treatment to an exploration of one of nature's top predators. The text is heavily loaded with shark facts and yet doesn't feel ponderous. Detailed illustrations rely on shades of blue and green to emphasize the aquatic nature of the topic. The comic-book layout is easy to read, breaking the text up into manageable chunks. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 I Like to Read series. As boating elephant Mike naps, his pet fish jumps out of his fishbowl and into the ocean. Fish Pat enjoys the adventure until a shark arrives; "Pat needs help," which arrives in the form of Mike (who himself later needs help to resurface). Told in a combination of expressive paintings, simple sentences, and speech-bubble interjections, this rather unexciting story is nevertheless suitable as an easy reader.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Shark-lover Josie is bummed to be the only kid in her class who hasn't lost a tooth. When one finally does get wiggly, she attempts to extract it. A game of sharks at recess with her BFF unintentionally does the trick--but where's her tooth? The relatable conflict, shown in clear, unfussy pencil and pastel illustrations, is engagingly portrayed.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. A platypus ("DUDE!") and a beaver ("DUDE!") hit the waves with their surfboards. When one spots a shark in the distance ("DUDE...?"), the surf buddies scramble for shore ("DUUUUUDE!"). "Dude" is a surprisingly malleable word, making it a good fit for a one-word (well, almost) yarn. The elastic facial expressions of the three main players in the colorful illustrations say everything the text can't.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA Sharks are more than ocean-dwelling dangers, argues Young in this fact- and photo-filled introduction. Textbook-like chapters provide discussion of shark anatomy, migration, reproduction, feeding habits, and cultural misconceptions while also delving into the scientific work involved in studying and protecting sharks, giving budding ichthyologists a glimpse of possible career directions. Includes a guide to the eight orders of shark species. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(3) K-3 A half shark–half dog creature follows an explorer and his child (the narrator) home; everything is great until the pet begins to feel homesick. They travel back to his native land, but Shark Dog decides to stay with his new family. The watercolor illustrations' humorous, cartoony style (especially in depicting googly-eyed Shark Dog) lighten this story of finding one's place in the world.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson