Sharks (First Reports)

Children's Literature

Visit any aquarium or ocean theme park, locate the most crowded exhibit or tank and you will quickly discover that shark fascination knows no age limits. How wonderful that authors like Raatma are writing books about sharks for the very young reader. Sharks is filled with fine photography (the list of photo credits is extensive). Its big, clear text is packed with useful information, the purpose of which is to encourage "respect [for] these amazing creatures." The table of contents shows a thorough list of commonly asked shark questions—how do they breathe? Swim? See, hear, smell, eat, behave? Why are sharks important? Finally, children will find a simple, clear glossary, some additional "Did you know" facts, an index and a "Want to Know More?" section nudging the reader toward the library as well as web sites. Parents and teachers are so fortunate to find well-written nonfiction books in today's libraries and bookstores. Books like this one could occupy important niches beside juvenile fiction. Preschool nonreaders would sit enthralled if given the chance to explore Sharks. Place this and similar nonfiction on classroom shelves alongside Corduroy, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and Ferdinand. The book is part of the "First Reports" series. 2001, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 3 to 10. Reviewer: Judy Crowder

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-This serviceable series is aptly named. The books are carefully divided into typical report topics: physical characteristics, food, habitat, birth and young, species, and relationship to humans. The controlled vocabulary and sentence length, the typeface, and the page layout make them seem a bit like basal readers. The lack of variation in sentence structure gives a choppy tone but also makes information easy to harvest. Sharp, full-color photos are well placed to elucidate the text. New terms are clearly explained. Penguins has one error: the author states that the largest penguins grow to be three-and-a-half feet tall, then writes that the emperor penguin grows to be four feet tall. Not distinguished but useful for those who want "just the facts, ma'am."-Ellen Heath, Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.