Sharks are strong, inspiring, beautiful animals. Or at least that’s what my son has convinced me is true. He spent most of a year obsessed with sharks of all kinds.
He read everything he could about sharks and he told anyone who would listen everything he learned.
I’ve learned a lot about sharks.
That all started with children’s books. Well written, interesting, beautiful books about sharks.
also read: Shark Week Unit Ideas for 5-9 year olds
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Non-Fiction Books about Sharks
Sharkblock
by Christopher Franceschelli
art by Peskimo
I am kind of obsessed with this little board book. It is part of the Abrams Block Book series and it’s a thick board book with an impressive amount of information about sharks. I have a shark OBSESSED kid and so we have read a lot of books about sharks but few have been as interesting, thorough, or diverse in species as this one.
Sharkpedia: Track Discover Explore by DK
Fascinating information from cover to cover. Photos and charts and diagrams and all kinds of cool stuff.
Great White Sharks: Animal Predators by Sandra Markle
My son loves the pictures in this one. Good information about great white sharks.
Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands by Katherine Roy
This book looks at how Great White Sharks in San Francisco hunt down their favorite meals. The painted illustrations are gorgeous and the information is detailed and well researched.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
One of the best non-fiction picture books I have ever read. Interesting topic and great message. Beautiful illustrations and fascinating details. This book both satisfied us with its story and information and yet left us eager to leave more. SHARK LADY is a well done biography from start to finish. Great for anyone who loves the ocean and sharks, but also a wonderful empowering story about a woman who succeeded through determination and hard work. There is also now a movie version.
Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang
A truly remarkable person deserves more than just one great book about them and Eugenie Clark was certainly an incredible person. This book is a different version of her story that is fun to compare to what you learn in the first. The message is the same, even if illustrated and told differently. Eugenie Clark was a brave, bold, curious person who furthered knowledge of sharks and women in science forever.
Sharkabet: A Sea of Sharks from A to Z by Ray Troll
This is stuffed full of information about sharks for your little shark fan. It was published in association with the American Museum of Natural History and it’s very apparent how well researched it is.
Fly Guy Presents: Sharks by Tedd Arnold
Now technically I guess this is Fiction, but barely. It is another in the fun Fly Guy series – my kids loved these as new readers. In this one Fly Guy and Buzz go to an aquarium to learn all about sharks. Cute and informative. The facts that are included are fascinating to the young intended audience.
How to Spy on a Shark by Lori Haskins Houran
This is such a cute book about tracking (or “spying”) on sharks for science. Simple text but fascinating information for little budding scientists.
The Great Shark Escape: The Magic School Bus Chapter Book
by Jennifer Johnston
This follows the format of the Magic School Bus books and show. Lots of information in between a fast paced science adventure. This one is told through the eyes of Arnold which filled it with extra humor. In this magical adventure, the class goes under the ocean and gets face to face with tons of different sharks.
We Both Read: Sharks! by Sindy McKay
My almost second graders enjoy these shared reading books. We have THIS COLLECTION from Usborne that is similar format. This one is all about sharks with lots of interesting facts to read and talk about as you go.
Shark or Dolphin? How Do You Know? by Melissa Stewart
I really enjoyed this side by side comparison of dolphins and sharks. As you go through the book you will learn not only the differences between the two familiar animals, but also tons of information and vocabulary about both. The text is simple enough for a preschooler or new reader, but also interesting enough for an older shark fan.
National Geographic Kids: Sharks by Anne Schreiber
If your child who loves sharks happens to be a new reader then this is a great one to put in their hands. Interesting, but small chunks of text. As with all National Geographic Kids books, the photography that illustrates these pages is gorgeous.
Who Would Win? Killer Whale Vs. Great White Shark by Jerry Pallotta
My son loves the whole WHO WOULD WIN? series but this is a favorite for obvious reason. Killer Whales and Great White Sharks are both impressive animals, but the arguments are well considered. Who would win? You have to read to find out.
The Shark Book
by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
THE SHARK BOOK is a thorough look at the world of sharks from nonfiction masters. I don’t know that it includes any information not found in other shark books, but it is thoughtfully composed, clearly written, and gorgeously illustrated with eye popping torn and cut paper collage. Our favorite page is the look at shark egg cases which are so uniquely fascinating. This is an excellent summary of shark types and information with excellent use of white space, thorough yet clear descriptions and even includes my son’s favorite – the epaulette – which is more rare in shark books for children. I always expect excellence from Jenkins and Page and they delivered well with THE SHARK BOOK.
Fiction Books about Sharks
I Am the Shark
by Joan Holub
illustrated by Laurie Keller
Hilarious and informative. This shark book is so well done. It is loaded with interesting information about sharks – some the usual facts but some that are less common. It is also well paced, uses page turns well and is funny. This is such a fun read aloud. Holub hints at a bear version coming next in the backmatter and I so hope that true.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabley
He has a bunch of picture books but I picked this one to share because a) big shark = ocean book obviously and b) it was the favorite in our house. There are a few in this series but start at the beginning. It is about a gang of “bad guys” lead by the big bad wolf who is determined to change their image. They (mostly reluctantly) set out an adventure to become heroes. These books tickle the funny bone of my kindergarteners perfectly. They cannot stop giggling and always ask for just one more chapter so we have plowed through all of the books in no time at all.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark by Deborah Diesen
This is an addition to the already wonderful Pout-Pout Fish series that my kids can’t seem to get enough of. In this one, as the title suggests, our fishy friend is faced with how to deal with a shark. The message is a touch preachy, but good and the uncertainty and discomfort and fear a child experiences in this kind of situation is well described.
Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman
This book is told as a live interview with a shark who may or may not be misunderstood. Funny and informative, this book is a fun one to include during Shark Week read alouds.
Nugget and Fang: Friends Forever or Snack Time? by Tammi Sauer
This cute story is about a minnow and a shark are best friends until Nugget, the minnow, goes to school and learns that sharks, like Fang, eat fish. Comedy and friendship prevail.
Shark in a Park! by Nick Sharratt
Toddlers and preschoolers will adore this peek through book about a little boy testing out his telescope at the park. He of course thinks he spots a shark everywhere he looks, but a page turn will reveal the truth every time.
The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist
This is a take on the Three Little Pigs story. It follows the traditional format but with seaweed, sand, and a shark thrown in. The pictures are cute and colorful.
Pedro and the Shark by Fran Manushkin
This is a sweet book about Pedro who spends the day at the aquarium. It’s fun until he gets separated from his class and is all alone with shark. An easy chapter book for newer readers, but also a decent length for reading aloud to preschoolers and kindergartners.
Dude! by Aaron Reynolds
This is a book written using only the word “Dude” and it’s hilarious. The story combined with the illustrations are comic genius – especially if you’re reading this to the first/second grade crowd. It also – for our purposes – happens to feature a shark.
Fins
by Randy Wayne White
A bonus book for older kids. An adventurous story about protecting sharks, making friends, and figuring out where you fit. Three intrepid kids take down a poacher by relying on themselves and each other. Florida’s waters feel real and alive on these pages which is a wonderful extra element to this part mystery, part friendship story. Any young shark enthusiasts will love this fast paced story.
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