BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 2001. THE SHARK BOOK. Ill. Robing Page. New York. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-1-328-56949-3
PLOT SUMMARY
In this Shark-filled informational book, the reader is presented with facts highlighting more than 30 types of sharks. The shark, usually known for being a dangerous and scary sea animal, is described with accuracy and interesting facts from the dangerous sharks to the less threatening ones, describing their size, what they eat, adaptations to sea life and the anatomy’s function to survival. The sharks in this informational book are not portrayed in a threatening manner, rather the interesting facts are many that give lesser known facts about sharks an interesting appeal.
There are more than 500 sharks in the world. Some spend most of their lives down on the seafloor, others swim around the open ocean and the rest prey on the coast. The shark's unique anatomy of cartilage makes for quick and easy mobility. The biggest and now extinct shark, the megalodon, was capable of eating any creature. The smallest can fit on the palm of a human hand. Sharks are carnivores who have different ways of catching their prey. Unique body features help these sea creatures to see their prey such as the hammerhead shark or thrust their jaws to grab their prey such as the goblin shark, who lives down in the deep and dark waters. The bull shark is one adaptable shark who can live in different places, is the most common shark to humans and is responsible for the shark attacks feared by humans.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jenkins and Page, a Caldecott award-winning pair, thoughtfully organized this information of sharks from beginning with what is a shark to ending with the most dangerous sharks out there. Included at the end is a table with information such as the name, average adult body length, its danger to humans, and conservation status. This encourages curiosity in readers as they can easily find the danger to humans and go straight to the page number for it. Another great reference guide throughout the book is the scale size of the shark in relation to a human. The information and scale size inspire the reader to think critically. The text is appropriately placed to describe a shark or a part being described. Minimal words are used and the illustrations pop against the white space throughout the book. The double page spread keeps the layout flowing with a clear sequence to read through. This book features illustrations of cut paper for the sharks and other objects which effectively describe the information.
REVIEWS EXCERPT(S)
Booklist starred, 07/01/21
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred, 06/01/21
Kirkus Reviews starred, 05/01/21
School Library Journal, 06/01/21
Booklist starred(July 2021 (Vol. 117, No.21)): “As in previous offerings, glorious torn-paper collages spill across pages, complementing the statuses and threats from humans.”
Kirkus Reviews Starred (May 1, 2021): “ Experts at the visual display of information return with this splendid album that presents 42 shark species, described and portrayed in torn- and cut-paper collage illustrations.”
School Library Journal (June 1, 2021): “The artwork is striking and beautiful. Each double-page spread shows the variety of shapes and textures of sharks as well their gorgeous markings.”
CONNECTIONS
This informational book on sharks was interesting for me to read. It was easy to read and the style of cut and torn paper was a breadth of fresh air. This style of images leads to a great craft activity.
Readers can recreate their favorite shark using the cut and torn paper style to make their own. Correctly labeling information using additional information gathered by their own further research.
Teaching students how to look at the table of information at the end of the book would be a great research skill to introduce to this elementary age group of 1st-4th graders.
Other books about sharks:
Williams, Lily. IF SHARKS DISAPPEARED. ISBN 978-1-25017-138-2
Pringle, Laurence P. SHARKS! ISBN 978-1-59078-571-1
Swanson, Diane. WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SHARKS. ISBN 978-1-55285-170-8
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