Green, Sara. Blacktip Reef Shark.

Green, Sara.  Blacktip Reef Shark.  Scholastic Press  2013  24p  $22.95 ISBN 978-0-531-24078-6  elem  series: Shark Fact Files       VG-BNes    

This is a great little easy-to-read book for kids who are into marine science.  The blacktip reef shark is described, pictured with brilliant underwater photographs, and discussed.  Kids will learn what the fish eat, how they capture their prey, how they give birth, what they look like, how their teeth work, and what behaviors they exhibit, as well as the fact that they are on the “near threatened” list.  There is a good glossary, an index, and a brief list of web sites and children’s books where one can learn more.  The large type, beautiful illustrations, and short length of the book will appeal to kids and lend the book to classroom use and discussion.

The factsurfer web site listed at the end of the book provides access to a number of web sites about sharks.      Shark Fact Files is a series that includes books about the blue shark, the bull shark, the frilled shark, and nine other kinds of sharks.    

Sharks                                                            --Carol Kennedy

Green, Sara. Goblin Shark.

Green, Sara.  Goblin Shark.  Scholastic Press   2013 24p  $22.95  ISBN 978-0-531-24081-6        elm/ms  series: Shark Fact Files  VG  

Readers will be intrigued by Goblin Shark.  Little is known about this mysterious, elusive pink fish.  Goblin sharks live so deep in the ocean that they have managed to keep their secrets, as only a few people have ever seen this rare shark in its natural habitat. Scientists do not believe the goblin shark population to be threatened, but little concrete information about these creatures is known.

So, while scientists know that the goblin shark protrudes its jaws when it bites prey and the jaws disappear underneath the shark’s elongated nose until the next attack, they speculate that the sharks feed on squids, small fish, and crabs.  This unique species occupies a habitat deep along the continental shelf of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.  Their livers (which provide buoyancy) can make up 25% of their body mass.  But no-one has ever seen goblin sharks reproduce.  Scientists can only make educated guesses about how large the sharks may grow, or how fast/sluggishly they swim, or even how acute the sharks’ senses are.  The species has been nick-named the “living fossil.”

Author Sara Green provides the facts, and clearly identifies what is speculation about goblin sharks (also known as elfin sharks).  The brief volume is rounded out by a a short index, glossary, and suggested reading list.

Sharks                                                      -–Hilary Welliver

Green, Sara. Hammerhead Shark.

Green, Sara.  Hammerhead Shark.  Scholastic Press     2013  24p   $17.26  ISBN 978-0-531-24082-3      elem  series: Shark Fact Files VG   

Elementary students who enjoy learning about sharks will appreciate this new title on the hammerhead shark.  The author provides readers with information on the hammerhead’s identification and physical characteristics, including body parts, skin, teeth, and species.  Information on the shark’s migration, birthing process, and survival are touched upon.  The author addresses the current status of hammerhead sharks; since the hammerhead shark population is shrinking, two species (scalloped  and great hammerhead) have been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The book includes beautiful color illustrations, maps, interesting facts scattered throughout, an easy-to-comprehend text, a list of recommended books and web sites, and an index. 

For schools that use Accelerated Reader, there is already a test, AR Quiz # 157155.  Each title in this series focuses on a different shark.  From the gentle whale shark to the vicious great white, sharks vary greatly from one species to the next.  Twelve different titles have been published as of this review.   

Sharks                                                                                                --Charleen Forba-Mayer
 

Stewart, Melissa Shark or Dolphin?: how do you know?

Stewart, Melissa        Shark or Dolphin?: how do you know?      

Enslow            2011   24p   21.26    978-0-7660-3680-2           

elem                Which Animal is Which? (Enslow)  E-BNes           

Item by item this text gives the differences between sharks and dolphins. 

Very clearly presented, well illustrated, and great for young children.

            Posing the question, ╥Can you tell the difference between a shark and a

dolphin?╙, this text proceeds to show the differences in simple yet very clear

terms.  It shows that a shark is a fish, a dolphin is a mammal.  Therefore the

shark gets oxygen from the water and a dolphin breathes air.  It shows the

differences between a tail and a fluke, scales and skin, gills and lungs,

whether the baby being called a pup or a calf and how the mother does or does

not take care of the baby, and whether they hunt by smell or sound.  Then all

the differences are summed up in a comparison chart.   

   The photography is beautiful and  very clearly illustrates the point being

made on each page.  The photography and the format will entice children and will

clearly answer their questions.  This is a wonderful addition to every

elementary school library.   There are five titles in the series which helps

young children see the differences between sets of similar animals.  

Theal, Joan

Nuzzolo, Deborah Whale Shark

Nuzzolo, Deborah      Whale Shark  

Capstone Publishers 2011   32p     18.99  978-1-4296-5414-2           

elem                Blazers (Capstone)   VG-BNe           

The whale shark's environment, physical characteristics, 

and importance is discussed for young readers.              

Deborah Nuzzolo has related the basic facts about the life of a

whale shark accompanied by bold photographs and fact boxes. Her choice of

wording is apropos to the story as well as the age group. Readers will enjoy the

intermingling of words, photos, and fact boxes as they progress through the book.  

   

    This is a great book for young readers and non-readers. It's bold expressive 

photographs will entice the active minds of young children.

    The format and layout of the book is beautifully placed for the most

effective enjoyment of the readers. The additional materials at the back of the

book is a plus for teachers and parents.    This book is one in the  _Shark

Zone  The series consists of __8_ books at this time. The general theme of the

series is __sharks ____.            McNeil, Linda