Celebrate Shark Week: Library Takes A Deep Dive

Press release from the White Plains Public Library:

by Erica Roberts

Shark Week is celebrated from July 6-13. To celebrate, our Librarians have compiled a grand list of books from the Trove! Enjoy.

Board Books

How It Works: Shark by Molly Littleboy
This interactive board book features layered die cuts throughout to introduce toddlers to sharks and how they work. Sharks are fascinating animals! Children can learn all about them in this interactive board book that features layered die cuts throughout. Simple callouts to the various parts of the shark, such as “tail fins,” “denticles,” and “gills” invite young readers to explore a shark's different body parts and their function.

That's Not My Shark… by Fiona Watt
Meet five appealing sharks swimming through this exciting addition to the much-loved That's not my… series. Babies love the best-selling That's not my… books with their bold illustrations, tactile patches and spotting the familiar little white mouse on every page.

Picture Books (Fiction)

Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale
Clark is a shark with zing, bang, and BOOM. Clark zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life–but when his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, Clark's teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out a way to tone it down. Clark the Shark celebrates boisterous enthusiasm–and knowing when it's time for indoor voices!

Dude! by Aaron Reynolds
Dude! You have to read this book. It's totally about this platypus and this beaver who are friends. They want to go surfing but dude, there's this shark who's in the ocean, too. But don't worry. This shark approaches and you'll never guess what happens.

Flip & Finn: Super Sharks to the Rescue by Timothy Gill
Faster than a sailfish! Tougher than a clamshell! Inspired by their favorite TV characters, Flip and Fin are determined to save someone's day. But whose They swim right to the shoreline with their two best friends, ready to find someone in peril. And when they get there . . . Aaaaaah! Shaaaaark! What could all the people on the beach be afraid of It's a job for the super sharks! This fish-in-the-water adventure is full of goofy humor, and young readers will delight in figuring out what's so scary long before Flip and Fin do.

Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman
Every beachgoer knows that there's nothing more terrifying than a… SHARRRK! But this shark is just misunderstood, or is he? In a wholly original, sidesplittingly funny story, New York Times bestselling author Ame Dyckman and illustrator Scott Magoon take this perennial theme and turn it on its (hammer)head with a brand-new cheeky character. The filming of an underwater TV show goes awry when the crew gets interrupted by a… SHARRRK! Poor Shark, he wasn't trying to scare them, he's just misunderstood! Then he's accused of trying to eat a fish. Will Shark ever catch a break? After all, he wasn't going to eat the fish, he was just showing it his new tooth! Or was he? Explosively funny, extraordinarily clever, and even full of fun shark facts, this surprisingly endearing story gets to the heart of what it feels like to be misunderstood by the people around you. With a surprise twist ending, our Misunderstood Shark will have kids rolling with laughter!

Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez
As the sun sets over another gorgeous day at la Playita Del Condado in Puerto Rico, Meli doesn't want to go home. She loves the ocean more than anything, and with only five minutes left at the beach, she knows exactly where her last stop should be- the tidal pools. They are small universes of their own teeming with critters and creatures of the ocean. While looking into the pools, she meets a crab, Jaiba, who takes her on a dreamlike underwater adventure, teaches her about the importance of shark conservation, and reveals Meli's ultimate destiny- to become the Mother of Sharks.

Nugget and Fang by Tammi Sauer
In the deep ocean, tiny Nugget and big, toothy Fang get along swimmingly–until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate (and hilarious) measures. But it's not until his big sharp teeth save the entire school that minnows learn this shark is no foe. Fantastically stylized artwork adds even more humor to this undersea story of unlikely friendship.

Shawn Loves Sharks by Curtis Manley
Shawn loves sharks. He loves their dark, blank eyes. He loves their big mouths full of sharp teeth. And he loves pretending to be a shark and chasing Stacy around the playground. Shawn loves sharks more than anything else in the world. But Predator Day at school is on Monday and Great White Shark isn't assigned to Shawn. It's assigned to…Stacy.

Picture Books (Nonfiction)

Are You Smarter Than a Shark? by David George Gordon
Sharks have their own way of thinking. And their way of thinking has made them one of the top predators in the ocean. Sharks can sniff out injured animals over great distances. As hunters, they use their special electro-sense to zero in on hidden prey. They have taste buds in their razor-sharp teeth. And, like people, sharks are playful and curious, and they can learn and remember. In Are You Smarter Than…A Shark?, discover what makes a shark a shark, and what makes them different from other fish. Learn about countershading, mermaid's purses, dermal denticles, and more. Explore a shark's watery world and meet their finny friends and weird relatives.

I Am the Shark by Joan Holub
Hi! I am Great White Shark, and if you get this book, you'll read all about ME–the greatest shark in the sea! Not so fast! Greenland Shark here, and as the oldest shark in this book, that makes me the greatest. Did someone say fast? I'm Mako Shark, and I'm the fastest shark in this book! Eat my bubbles! Wow, I'm Hammerhead Shark. You don't need my special eyes to see that there are lots of great sharks in this book. Sink your teeth into it now! New York Times bestselling author Joan Holub makes a splash with bestselling illustrator Laurie Keller to deliver an entertaining undersea story filled with the greatest shark facts in the ocean!

If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams
A healthy ocean is home to many different kinds of animals. They can be: big, like a whale; tiny, like a shrimp; and even scary, like a shark. Even though sharks can be scary, we need them to keep the oceans healthy. Unfortunately, due to overfishing, many shark species are in danger of extinction, and that can cause big problems in the oceans and even on land. What would happen if this continued and sharks disappeared completely? Artist Lily Williams explores how the disappearance would affect other animals across the whole planet in this clever book about the importance of keeping sharks, and our oceans, healthy.

The Magnificent Book of Sharks by Barbara Taylor
The Magnificent Book of Sharks takes you across open waters, into coastal seas, through warm tropical reefs, and deep into the murky ocean depths where sharks live. From the tiny pygmy shark to the massive whale shark, The Magnificent Book of Sharks depicts some of the ocean's most incredible creatures in stunning and accurate, original illustrations. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration. Find out why the lantern shark glows in the dark, how the epaulette shark “walks” on land, and which senses sharks use to find their prey. Discover hundreds of fascinating facts about sharks in this gorgeous reference that you will revisit again and again.

National Geographic Kids: Can’t Get Enough Shark Stuff by Kelly Hargrave and Andrea Silven
Dive into the perfect combination of facts, stories, photos, and fun all about the world's most ferocious and fascinating ocean predator–SHARKS! For animal lovers who are absolutely obsessed with everything sharks, this book has it all: tons of mind-blowing facts, exciting games, hands-on activities, hilarious shark jokes, and suspenseful stories from shark experts. It also includes tantalizing tidbits about perplexing prehistoric sharks, the latest info on studying sharks in the wild, and surprising, cutting-edge discoveries about shark behavior.

The Shark Book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Caldecott Honor-winning team Steve Jenkins and Robin Page explore the astonishing lives of sharks in this brilliantly illustrated picture book. Perfect for Shark Week and all year round, this ode to the notorious ocean predator with more than four hundred species will blow you out of the water! Sharp teeth, super senses, and those infamous fins–what's not to love about sharks?

Shark Lady: The True Story of how Eugenie Clark Became the World’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting that studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary, and they didn't think women should be scientists. Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname “Shark Lady.” Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared – and that women can do anything they set their minds to.

Sharks and Other Sea Creatures by DK Publishing
In Sharks and Other Sea Creatures, each page has engaging photographs with clear text and simple step-by-step instructions for young readers to follow as they complete each project. Kids can learn how to create an egg carton ocean, make pretty paper plate clown fish, and make their way through an octopus maze. Perfect for kids who love the enchanting creatures of the deep, this book will improve their dexterity, memory, and brain development with each activity.

Sharks!: A Mighty Bite-y History by Miriam Forster
Sharks are some of the oldest creatures on the earth (or, rather, in its waters). This epic survey follows sharks from their earliest appearance in the Paleozoic era up through the challenges they face today. Along the way, readers will meet many different sharks from different points in history. They will get an up-close evolutionary look at what makes a shark a shark-like their skin, their teeth, their fins, and more. And they will get a crash course in archeological time, as the book mostly covers prehistoric sharks or modern-day sharks who have been around much longer than humans. Like the hammerhead, who has been patrolling tropical coastlines for more than 20 million years! With lush illustrations from Gordy Wright and meticulous research from author Miriam Forster, Sharks: A Mighty, Bite-y History is sure to delight shark lovers, science fans, and any reader who loves to discover new wonders about the world around them.

Easy Readers

Big Shark, Little Shark by Anna Membrino
This fun Step 1 book about two sharks is a study in opposites. Big Shark has big teeth, Little Shark has little teeth. Big Shark swims fast; Little Shark swims slow. But they are both hungry! Will they each succeed in finding a tasty snack?

Hark! A Shark!: All About Sharks by Bonnie Worth
The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library series combines beloved characters, engaging rhymes, and Seussian illustrations to introduce children to non-fiction topics from the real world! Dive deep into the world of sharks and discover: why they have lots of teeth but no bones, how their tough skin helps them swim fast and stay clean, how they come in all shapes and sizes, and much more!

Shark Chums: Can Clam Go? by Adam Lehrhaupt
An unlikely friendship forms under the sea between a friendly shark and a little clam in this funny Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read. When a clam meets a shark, the clam thinks it is about to become the shark's dinner…until it goes for the ride of a lifetime thanks to an unexpected friend.

Who Would Win: Ultimate Shark Rumble by Jerry Pallotta
Sixteen different sharks battle it out in a huge underwater fight! Who will be the champion? This nonfiction reader compares and contrasts 16 ferocious sharks. Readers will learn about each animal's anatomy, behavior, and more. Then compare and contrast the battling animals before finally discovering the winner!

Chapter Books

I Survived: The Shark Attacks of 1916 by Lauren Tarshis
Based on true events! It's the summer of 1916 and the Jersey shore is being terrorized by a Great White shark. Can 10-year-old Chet and his friends survive a swim in the local creek? Chet Roscow is finally feeling at home in Elm Hills, New Jersey. He has a job with his uncle Jerry at the local diner, three great friends, and the perfect summertime destination: cool, refreshing Matawan Creek. But Chet's summer is interrupted by shocking news. A great white shark has been attacking swimmers along the Jersey shore, not far from Elm Hills. Everyone in town is talking about it. So when Chet sees something in the creek, he's sure it's his imagination. . . until he comes face-to-face with a bloodthirsty shark!

The Line Tender by Kate Allen
Wherever the sharks led, Lucy Everhart's marine-biologist mother was sure to follow. In fact, she was on a boat far off the coast of Massachusetts, collecting shark data when she died suddenly. Lucy was seven. Since then Lucy and her father have kept their heads above water–thanks in large part to a few close friends and neighbors. But June of her twelfth summer brings more than the end of school and a heat wave to sleepy Rockport. On one steamy day, the tide brings a great white–and then another tragedy, cutting short a friendship everyone insists was “meaningful” but no one can tell Lucy what it all meant. To survive the fresh wave of grief, Lucy must grab the line that connects her depressed father, a stubborn fisherman, and a curious old widower to her mother's unfinished research on the Great White's return to Cape Cod. If Lucy can find a way to help this unlikely quartet follow the sharks her mother loved, she'll finally be able to look beyond what she's lost and toward what's left to be discovered.

Make a Little Wave by Kerry O’Malley Cerra
Savannah has been feeling out of place ever since her family moved to Sandy Dune, Florida. She finds it easier to make friends with animals than people. Plus, everyone in Sandy Dune seems to love spending time in the ocean, and Sav never feels comfortable leaving the shore. When her classmate Tanner invites her to the opening of his family's restaurant, Sav's excited–until she's served a bowl of shark fin soup. Sav has always been scared of sharks, but she's horrified that they're inhumanely killed for this expensive delicacy. Especially as she learns more about these surprisingly gentle creatures and discovers that some shark species are being hunted to the point of endangerment. Tanner's family brushes off her concerns, but Sav resolves to stop them from serving the soup. To do that, she'll have to learn how to use her voice and face her biggest fears.

Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Sharks by Katie & Kevin Tsang
On a class trip to the aquarium, certified ghost hunter Sam Wu encounters something even scarier than ghosts: Crazy Charlie, a giant shark, who TOTALLY tries to eat him. Sam has no intentions of taking any more chances with these people-eating creatures. But then his classmates Regina and Ralph announce they're having a birthday bash . . . on the BEACH! Can Sam overcome his terror of becoming shark bait?

This press release was produced by the White Plains Public Library. The views expressed are the author's own.