Chomp-tastic! 14 Superb Shark Books for Hungry Readers
by Tom Burns
What is it about kids and sharks? We live in a world filled with a mind-boggling assortment of flora and fauna and yet, without question, children consistently regard sharks as the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Don’t believe me? Walk into any elementary school classroom or library and try counting the number of shark books. It will be WAY more than you ever expected.
If your kid is a little shark-crazy, or, if you just want to be prepared for the Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week, we assembled this list of amazing shark books sure to capture the interest of your future Jaws fan.
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Baby Shark!
Available from:The underwater song that charmed kids the world over (and forever lodged itself in parents’ brains) is now available as a Little Golden Book! There’s no escape from the world’s catchiest (and charming) tune. Doo doo doo doo doo doo ...
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
I'm Getting a Shark!
Available from:When a shark super fan becomes convinced that her parents will get her a pet shark for her birthday, her imagination takes over! She pictures her friends coming over for a pool party with her new whale shark or her dad doing home renovation projects with her hammerhead shark. When her birthday finally arrives, she learns that her parents adopted a wild shark in her name. She is disappointed at first, but then she feels proud about having a role in protecting her favorite animal on the planet.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
My Little Golden Book About Sharks
Available from:Pair Baby Shark! with a nonfiction Little Golden Book edition. This fact-filled and vibrantly illustrated picture book introduces little ones to the real animals behind their favorite song. (For a sneak peek, dive into this episode of Brightly Storytime.)
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
Big Shark, Little Shark
Available from:For shark-loving kids just dipping a toe into the waters of independent reading, Big Shark, Little Shark is the way to go. The two friends are opposites in just about everything — but they’ve both got big appetites, and they’re on the prowl for snacks. Large text, rhyming lines, and picture clues help fledgling readers along.
(Ages 4 - 6)Also available from: -
Surprising Sharks
Available from:Many shark books focus on the scarier aspects of all things shark — the blood, the teeth, the attacks. But, in this compelling picture book, zoologist Nicola Davies attempts to show another side of sharks. She cleverly presents shark facts without sensationalizing their predatory ways, offering kids a wonderful perspective on the many different sizes and shapes of sharks in the ocean. Extra credit goes to James Croft for his excellent graphic design and “not-too-scary” shark illustrations.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Sharks
Available from:Gibbons is a hugely respected figure in children’s nonfiction. She’s created over 50 titles as an author and illustrator, and several of those works have focused on the creatures of the deep — whales, sea turtles, and, yes, sharks. Her take on sharks offers readers some surprisingly in-depth information on their biology and feeding habits, and her evocative artwork really brings her subjects to life.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
The Ultimate Sticker Book Sharks
Available from:With The Ultimate Sticker Book Sharks, learning about sharks has never been more fun! Throughout this activity book, your ocean explorers will complete puzzles, quizzes, and have fun with re-usable stickers as they learn about each species of shark and what makes them each unique. A great introduction for any shark lover!
(Ages 5 - 7)Also available from: -
Truth or Lie: Sharks!
Available from:There are a lot of myths out there about sharks — Jaws author Peter Benchley has said he regrets making Great Whites out to be villains — but in Truth or Lie: Sharks!, newly independent readers can sort out the facts from the fluff all on their own.
(Ages 5 - 8)Also available from: -
Sharks!
Available from:This nicely illustrated easy reader is perfect for beginning readers who are looking to do some independent reading about their favorite apex predators.
(Ages 6 - 8)Also available from: -
Magic Tree House: Shadow of the Shark
Available from:In this installment of the popular chapter book series, time-traveling siblings Jack and Annie decide to take a vacation off the coral reefs of Mexico. But things quickly turn dramatic as they find their boat attacked by a vicious shark. Osborne supplements her exciting yarn with Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #32: Sharks and Other Predators — a nonfiction guide that smartly answers all of Jack and Annie’s real-life questions about their oceanic assailant.
(Ages 7 - 10)Also available from: -
Shark Attack! Mad Libs
Available from:Mad Lib aficionados will love getting silly with these shark-themed stories. Funny situations take the bite out of the big bad predator of the sea — and let sharks get in on the fun, too.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
DK's Super Shark Encyclopedia and Other Creatures of the Deep
Available from:This exhaustive guide to over 80 kinds of sharks (and various other underwater oddities) is definitely designed with kids in mind. Not only does it show off some truly breathtaking photography, it also features a series of absorbing x-rays and cross-sections that let kids dive deeper into their favorite sharks than they ever imagined.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Shark Wars
This fictional tale, set in the world of sharks (the first in a series), follows a young outcast shark named Gray who finds himself caught in the middle of an undersea war, after rising ocean temperatures throw the laws of the sea into chaos. Your young shark fan will love escaping into this action-packed, wish-fulfilling chapter book.
(Ages 8 - 12)Available from: -
Sharks and Other Deadly Ocean Creatures Visual Encyclopedia
Available from:Think sharks are the biggest baddies in the deep blue? Think again! Divided into sections like Devils of the Dark and Primeval Predators, learn about everything from the famous Megalodon to the Vampire Squid to the shrimp that packs a 50 mph punch. Full-color CGI depictions of each creature and boxes of data on size, diet, and "predator power" make this a book worth diving into for older kids.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2021.