The Best Shark Books For Kids
Kids adore sharks and they especially enjoy learning about them in books. Here, kids can read about different types of sharks, their habitats and how they feed.
Shark books for kids often feature glossy photos and diagrams, but the quality of these illustrations can vary drastically, making them difficult to decipher for younger readers.
1. How to Survive as a Shark
This book provides a fascinating exploration of sharks through an entertaining story and facts hidden throughout the illustrations. Plus, it includes a glossary of key terms as well as real shark photos for added learning opportunities.
This shark picture book tells a straightforward, feel-good tale about friendship and the value of being yourself no matter what others think. With its rhyming text and captivating illustrations, it’s easy for children to connect with and enjoy.
This book is an ideal choice for teachers of young readers. It helps students differentiate between good and bad behavior, emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with kindness – even when it’s difficult.
Eugenie Clark, a Japanese-American woman who proved sharks weren’t bloodthirsty killers, serves as an inspiring example of how someone can break through social norms and achieve success in an unconventional manner. Nicknamed the “Shark Lady,” Clark dedicated herself to studying these predatory fish and discovering truths others were unwilling to acknowledge.
This humorous tale follows a toothless shark as it battles fearsome fang-bearing predators to stay alive and become friends with them! The rhyming text and vivid illustrations will appeal to kids from prekindergarten through third grade, teaching them that perseverance pays off in the end.
This book is ideal for any child feeling lonely or isolated during the holidays. It demonstrates that everyone is unique and has something special to give the world, while providing emerging readers with rhyming text that encourages independent reading while they listen to this tale.
2. Clark the Shark
No matter if your kid is an expert or just interested in sharks, there are some fantastic books out there that explore sharks and their lives! Not only will these shark books teach your youngster some fascinating facts about these powerful marine animals, but they’ll also help develop their reading skills!
Clark the Shark is a beloved elementary school character known for his irreverent antics. Kids laugh along with him and can often relate to him because of his good intentions – though sometimes that means getting in trouble due to an excess of energy!
This Level 1 I Can Read story about Clark the Shark features large text, rhyming lines and picture clues to make it simple for beginning readers to read independently. Plus, Clark the Shark’s Bite-Sized Facts provide real information about shark communication and behavior that will keep children interested as they discover more about these beloved sea creatures!
National Geographic Readers series is an ideal way for children of varying reading comfort levels to nonfiction and research formats. This Sharks (National Geographic Readers) Level 2 book boasts stunning photos and fascinating facts about these apex predators!
For children looking for a little more of a challenge, Look, a Shark! This amazing nonfiction book will have them questioning and analyzing the information they are learning. Plus, it’s available as an audible book!
Nicola Davies skillfully conveys shark facts without sensationalizing their predatory ways. Additionally, her artwork is vivid and brings the subjects to life – making Nicola Davies a beloved name in children’s nonfiction! This title lives up to this reputation!
3. Sharkabet
This hilarious picture book is a must-have for shark fans of any age. Caldecott Award-winning artist Dan Santat collaborates with Aaron Reynolds – author of Nerdy Berdy and Creepy Carrots – on this hilarious tale about an unimaginary shark friend who’s half dog and half shark!
This book begins with an engaging introduction to sea creatures, including their anatomy, habitats, senses and behavior. The illustrations are vibrant and captivating while the facts provided are enjoyable for kids to learn.
Another excellent choice is Sharks (Pocket Genius), a book that introduces kids to 150 species of sharks with information on their anatomy, habitats, senses, behaviors and more. This pocket-sized reference is ideal for kids learning about sharks in science class or as part of an educational curriculum.
Finally, Big Shark, Little Shark is an ideal book for children just beginning their reading journey. With its rhyming text, large print, and picture clues, this two-shark friendship goes on a hunt to find snacks! This interactive tale helps emerging readers practice their independent reading skills while they enjoy watching these two shark friends have fun!
This book helps kids recognize that sharks, despite their fearsome appearance, are actually not that scary creatures. They’re an integral part of the ocean ecosystem and must be protected. The book provides an overview of conservation efforts and serves as a great starting point for conversations about what can be done to assist shark populations.
4. Shark vs. Train
This board book, featuring Tom Lichtenheld’s #1 New York Times bestselling illustrations and Chris Barton’s lively text, promises to delight young readers. The premise is straightforward: Two boys with toys compete against each other in a series of competitions that test their mettle (and gimmick abilities).
In the spirit of competition, two contenders take part in various activities such as swimming, roasting marshmallows, eating pies, shooting hoops and burping. The outcome is an entertaining tale with a twist that will appeal to both prereaders and their parents alike.
Additionally, this book provides fascinating facts and figures on sharks with stunning full-color CGI depictions of every creature from Megalodon to vampire squid and even 50mph shrimp! As such, it should be a staple in any shark-obsessed kid’s library.
This is the ideal shark book for kids, providing them with all of the knowledge they need about their favorite fishes and marine mammals. As an added bonus, the book also delves into other major aspects of marine biology through captivating illustrations and insightful facts. With an organized list of its highlights – from top shark toys to impressive species – this title really does have it all!
5. Surprising Sharks: Read and Wonder
Sharks, often depicted as gigantic man-eating monsters, are actually an incredibly diverse species found throughout all oceans and seas. They serve as important predators and feed on shell fish, small fish, as well as various other types of animals.
Surprising Sharks offers thrilling information about sharks through lyrical words, humor and vibrant illustrations to tell their true story. From Blackbelly Lantern Sharks with built-in fairy lights to sharks that eat babies in their mothers’ bellies, this book helps kids comprehend the reality of these terrifying predators while teaching them how to choose kindness instead.
This nonfiction book for young children features informative yet humorous writing, not-too-scary illustrations, and an effective layout that utilizes multisized text on bright color backgrounds. It will teach them about different kinds of sharks, their distinctive features, and why sharks are both admired and feared.
In addition to sharks, readers will also encounter other marine creatures like a sea turtle with built-in eyes and shrimp capable of reaching 50 mph. All these facts will captivate kids while informing them about the need to keep our oceans clean and safe for all life.
Nicola Davies is a zoologist with an affinity for sharks and other marine creatures. After witnessing basking sharks off the coast of England, she believes these formidable predators deserve our respect and protection just like wolves, lions, tigers, bears do on land. To this end, she has written numerous children’s books such as WILD ABOUT DOLPHINS, ONE TINY TURTLE and BAT LOVES THE NIGHT.