Sharks
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. They have a covering of dermal denticles that protect their skin from damage and parasites, and they have several sets of replaceable teeth. Sharks range in size from the smallest (7 in) in length, to the whale shark, which grows to a length of approximately (39 ft).
The skeleton of a shark is very different from that of bony fish. Sharks have skeletons made from cartilage, which is a flexible and dense connective tissue, but they are still considered bones. They function in the same way as human bones do. Sharks have very distinctive tails. The tail provides thrust and so speed and acceleration are dependent on tail shape.
The maximum lifespan of a shark varies from species to species. Most sharks live for 20 to 30 years, while the spiny dogfish has a recorded lifespan of more than 100 years. Whale sharks have been hypothesized to also live over 100 years.
Contrary to the common myth that sharks are instinct-driven "eating machines", recent studies have indicated that many species possess powerful problem-solving skills, social complexity and curiosity.
Excerpted from Wikipedia
Visit these site among many others for useful facts and activities
http://www.kidzone.ws/sharks/facts.htm
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-sharks.html
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Great-white-shark
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Amazing Sharks!
Sarah L. Thompson
Photographs provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society
What comes to mind when you hear the word "shark"? Huge man-eating creatures or just a very large fish? According to Thomson, there are 350 kinds of sharks and they come in all shapes and sizes. They are for the most part predators, and the great white shark can indeed be large--as large as a small truck. The main difference between sharks and other fish is their skeletal structure. Rather than bones, sharks have cartilage, which provides for greater flexibility. In addition, many sharks give live birth rather than laying eggs. These sea creatures have a keen sense of hearing, smell, and sight. They also have the unique ability to feel electricity. For those who may have been frightened by stories or movies featuring man-eating sharks, Thomson reminds readers that "you are more likely to be hit by lightning than be killed by a shark." Predators like sharks are important to the health of oceans, and we need to find ways to live in harmony and to protect their habitat. The introduction provides the web address for the Wildlife Conservation Society where readers can learn more about sharks and other endangered animals. A useful and informative early science reader. A Level 2 book in the "I Can Read!" series. 2006, HarperCollins, $3.99. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-054456-0
ISBN: 0-06-054456-2
The Castaway Pirates: A Pop-Up Tale of Bad Luck, Sharp Teeth, and Stinky Toes
Ray Marshall
Illustrated by Wilson Swain
It will be clear from observing this pop-up book in its plastic protective cover at the store what the story is all about and how the inside pictures will look. The same brown, green, blue, and orange colors are used throughout, and all the characters are already in place in the small castaway row boat watched by a shark. There are nine pages of pop ups which follow the deterioration of the frail craft as the boat springs a leak that gets bigger with each turning page. The crew tries without success to stuff various items into the hole in the boat. "A leak! A leak! We’ve sprung a leak! Do something quick" the captain shrieked. "Or it’s way-hey-ho and down we go" Each couplet of disaster is followed by, "And as the waters rose, a gray shark showed his nose." A line on the front page advises that this is a "Tale of Bad Luck, Sharp Teeth, and Stinky Toes." On the last page, the shark turns up his nose at those stinky pirate toes and swims off. 2008, Chronicle Books, $19.99. Ages 7 up. Reviewer: Eleanor Heldrich (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8118-5923-3
ISBN: 0-8118-5923-1
Discover Sharks
Monalisa Sengupta
Shark books abound and any good library should have a large selection, since the subject of sharks is among the most popular to young readers. This book, part of the "Discover Animals" series, features the huge variety of shark species. Early pages include facts about a shark’s body, how it differs from other fish, the diversity of size, the evolution of sharks, fossils, how a shark’s body compliments its function, shark senses, the importance of those teeth, and shark reproduction. After that, the book details the diversity of sharks—the biggest (whale shark and basking sharks), the smallest (pigmy, ribbontail, etc.). Commonly known sharks such as great whites, Makos, tiger sharks and hammerheads swim through several more pages. The authors discuss habitat diversity, including sharks that live at the ocean floor or reefs. "Different" sharks (with unusual features) as well as remarkable shark cousins are all featured. And no shark book would be complete without discussions of shark attacks and endangered sharks (human attacks?). This beautifully illustrated and detailed book includes an extensive glossary, book titles and web sites for further reading and a large index. 2008, Enslow Publishers, Ages 8 to 12, $23.93. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7660-3474-7
ISBN: 0-7660-3474-7
Face to Face with Sharks
David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes
David Doubilet first saw and photographed a shark when he was thirteen and the fish was bigger than he was. Jennifer Hays first encountered a shark when she watched a fisherman with a hammerhead. Since then, the two authors knew they wanted to study and photograph these ocean predators. Now working for National Geographic, these two authors have put together a visually stunning book packed with remarkable pictures plus well-written text about these amazing fish. They answer most commonly asked questions: what about those hundreds of shark teeth, are sharks truly dangerous to humans or are humans the greater danger, how to avoid a shark attack, etc. Then the text goes further to include shark physiology, reproduction and predator-prey interactions as well as the huge diversity of these ocean dwellers: size, live birth or eggs, shape, habitat and so on. Most interesting is the first-hand description of their day photographing great whites from inside a steel cage. What sets this apart from most shark books is the amount of pages spent on shark conservation. Humans kill 100 million sharks a year, from harvesting the fins only and leaving the sharks to die, to catching them as bycatch in long-line fishing, to selling threatened or endangered species in Asian fish markets. The book includes suggestions to young readers about how they can help. Also featured are pages of "Facts at a Glance," glossary, lists of books and web sites plus index. 2009, National Geographic Society, Ages 12 to Adult, $16.95 and $21.95. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4263-0404-0
ISBN; 978-1-4263-0405-7
Great White Sharks
Barbara Balfour
The "Amazing Animal Series" offers early readers a look at the animal kingdom. Each title focuses on a particular animal, and provides information about what they eat, their habitat, enemies, and family life. There are six titles in this series. Great white sharks are large and dangerous. They have five different kinds of fins that help them swim and keep their balance. Their bones are made of cartilage, which means they bend easily. This allows them to turn quickly when they swim, helping them be fierce hunters. They have electronically sensitive organs in their heads that allow them to sense prey from long distances. Great white sharks breathe through gills on the sides of their body, just behind their heads. Their livers are very large, allowing them to store energy in the form of oil. They can go without food for up to two months. They live in coastal waters all over the world and migrate to warm waters to give birth to their pups. This book is nicely illustrated with numerous photographs. 2007, Weigl Publishers, $6.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5903-6391-1
ISBN: 1-5903-6397-3
Is a Shark a Fish?
Lawrence Schimel
Illustrations by Sara Rojo Perez
Do you know the difference between a fish and other animals that live in the water? Children will learn details about how to tell if an animal is a fish or another kind of animal. Does it have fins? Does it have scales? Does it have a skeleton? Readers will see pictures of sea turtles, sea lions, jelly fish, penguins, octopus, star fish, sharks, and other fish in the sea. Children will be guided by Little Pirate and his mermaid friend Mystic through the book to learn more about sea creatures. This book will captivate children’s attention as their parent read it to them and discuss what Little Pirate and Mystic are teaching them. In addition, there are more fun facts at the end of the book and a website where children can learn more. Teachers of preschool and kindergarten will enjoy having this educational book in their classroom. This book is part of the "Little Pirate" series. 2008, InnovativeKids/Innovative USA, Ages 3 to 6, $9.99. Reviewer: Cathi I. White (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58476-711-4
Join a Shark Expedition
Suzy Gazlay
For readers who want adventure as well as information about sharks and what it is like to study them, this book may be just the ticket. Whether a particular shark is dangerous or small and mild-mannered, scientists must get up close and personal in order to study it and--hopefully--protect it. After a "How to Use this Book" travel guide, the book takes young readers to the waters off of Monterey, California. There, young readers will learn how to best use their "Work station"--information on every two pages that explains how scientists gather and interpret data. Also included are introductions, general information, and a "Fact File" of additional information about shark biology. With all of these tools, young readers can learn about shark physiology, mating, hunting/feeding, and which sharks are the top predators. Especially interesting is how these warm-blooded fish stay warm in cold ocean waters. Beyond the animals themselves, this book discusses sharks and people: shark-swimmer encounters, tagging sharks and collecting data, keeping a shark in captivity, and--so important--what the future is likely to hold for these fascinating fish. The book also includes "Tips for Science Success," answers to questions throughout the book, a glossary, and exciting photo illustrations. Part of the "Scienceworks" series. 2008, Gareth Stevens Publishing, $8.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8368-8932-1
ISBN: 0-8368-8932-0
The Life Cycle of a Shark
John Crossingham and Bobbie Kalman
Any child lucky enough, while beachcombing, to have picked up an empty shark egg case may have a hard time imagining that what hatched out may grow to become a large, fierce predator. What is more fascinating is that some sharks do not hatch but are born alive, and that some sharks are neither large nor fierce and certainly no danger to humankind. How in the world do such tiny babies grow into the amazing creatures we see in aquariums or television nature programs? This book, part of "The Life Cycle" series, details how these amazing salt-water fish begin their lives as eggs or embryos, how shark pups--who get no maternal care--live and grow, how different species adapt to their environments, and how they mate and reproduce. As in all Bobbie Kalman books, the format is colorful and lively, mixing drawn and photo illustrations with simple, clear text full of boldfaced words that can be found in the book’s glossary. Final three chapters feature why we need sharks, dangers to these fish, and how humankind can do a better job of protecting sharks, some of which are endangered. Did you know that shark skin contains denticles, similar to snake scales, that are joined together to form a protective layer, and that these denticles are coated with enamel, same as human teeth? You will know this and more if you read this lively book. 2006, Crabtree Publishing Company, $23.92 and $6.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7787-0669-4
ISBN: 0-7787-0669-9
Paleo-Sharks: Survival of the Strangest
Timothy J. Bradley
This book’s dust jacket says it very well: "If you think today’s sharks are fearsome, wait till you see what swam in the oceans hundreds of millions of years ago." Bradley takes advantage of humankind’s fascination with sharks as well as its interest in prehistoric animals, writing and illustrating a book about sharks, some of which existed before the dinosaurs. The book includes a timeline for the sharks featured in this book, a definition, and a general introduction to Paleo sharks (which he calls a "different kind of fish"), Mesozoic sharks (which he calls "reptilian competition") and finally, the Cenozoic shark (Carcharodon Megalodon). The author goes into specifics, featuring fourteen sharks and shark relatives. Two of the most visually-intriguing are Stethacanthus, a prehistoric shark with a dorsal fin that resembles a race car spoiler with spikes; and Helecoprion, a shark with a lower jaw shaped like a spiral buzz saw blade. The author is also the illustrator, and the illustrations are lush, detailed and colorful. All of the creatures featured in this book are compared in size with a great white shark and a scuba diver. The book includes information about sharks today, a glossary complete with pronunciation help, a list of resources for further reading for younger readers as well as older and adult readers, plus a bibliography. This book would be popular and welcomed in any private, classroom, school, or public library. 2007, Chronicle Books, $15.95. Ages 8 to adult. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8118-4878-7
ISBN: 0-8118-4878-7
Shark Attack
Tom Jackson
Each year, many people are attacked by sharks and live to tell about it. In this book, Tom Jackson shares stories about two people who were able to escape being eaten by sharks. He also discusses the largest shark attack known in history. Not all sharks will attack people. The Bull Shark, Tiger Shark, and Great White Shark are three out of the twenty-five species of sharks that do. Sharks can smell a small drop of blood from over a mile away. When sharks attack, they first take a bite to see if they would like to pursue the prey any longer. If not, they spit it out and continue searching for food elsewhere. Many sharks attack from below their prey; some even jump out of the water after they have captured it. Sharks have been known to eat anything in the water. Recent technological advances have led to the development of devices that you can wear to keep sharks away. The author gives insightful tips about how to prevent shark attacks as well as some important data about protecting sharks. A list of websites that the reader can go to for more information about sharks and shark attacks is provided. The vocabulary in the book is appropriate for the age group, and the photographs complement the author’s words on each page. Each photograph captures the reader’s attention and makes the reader want to learn more. This is part of the "Crabtree Contact" series. 2008 (orig. 1972), Crabtree Publishing, $19.95 and $8.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: Rachel Miller (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7787-3787-2
ISBN: 0-7787-3787-X
Shark Attack: Bethany Hamilton’s Story of Survival
Tim O’Shei
Part of the fast-paced "True Tales of Survival" series, this book tells about surfboarder Bethany Hamilton’s encounter with a tiger shark in Hawaii. The series is part of Capstone’s "Edge Books," and it does keep one on the edge, although this one less than others in the series. Hamilton was 13 at the time of the attack and a nationally competitive surfboarder. Her sudden meeting with the shark does not have the nail-biting tension. She was attacked and treated quickly. There was no drawn-out danger. She, however, is a protagonist that will appeal to many young athletes. Her work after the attack, of getting herself back to normal, and living as a celebrity, is also interesting. Bethany wrote a book, and received a Teen Choice Award for her courage. She also returned to surfing. The writing is clear and simple. The tension is all in the plot, not in the noun-verb arrangement, and the photos of the setting help provide a sense of place. While not a long book (32 pages), Shark Attack will grab reluctant readers. Backmatter includes glossary, read more, Internet sites (via Capstone’s Fact Hound system of vetting the sites), and an index. 2007, Capstone, $23.93. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-6776-4
ISBN: 0-7368-6776-7
Shark Girl
Kelly Bingham
Attacked by a shark in five feet of water at the crowded beach, Jane Arrowood loses her right hand, and her arm must be amputated above the elbow. It is bad enough for anyone to lose an arm, but for a budding artist it is devastating. This is the story of Jane’s recovery, not just physically, but spiritually, as she comes to terms with her accident over the course of a year, and realizes she has no more time to feel sorry for herself. She begins to live her life to the fullest by using a prosthetic arm to return to her passion, art. Surrounded by well-wishers from across the nation, a loving family, a group of true friends, and one terrific big brother, Jane not only survives, she thrives. This book is unique in its writing style as it is presented in short chapters of conversation and personal thoughts in the form of verse. Readers will connect with Jane as they examine her terror, her feelings of self-pity, and her triumph of self-acceptance. 2007, Candlewick Press, $16.99. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Gail C. Krause (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3207-6
ISBN: 0-7636-3207-4
Sharks
Miranda Smith
When young readers think of sharks, what do they focus on? Their streamlined, torpedo-like shape? Those jagged teeth that exist even in the fossil record? Or the tales of surfers or swimmers who were injured when they were mistaken for shark prey? Young readers who crave more facts about sharks can find almost anything in this lushly-illustrated volume. What makes this book special is that, along with information found in many good shark books, this one has chapters on rare types that people may never see first hand, including ancient sharks that swam in pre-history, sharks in films (readers may recognize characters from "Finding Nemo" and "Jaws"), and sharks from legends and lore, ancient to modern. For instance, readers will learn that Chinese bomber pilots painted their planes to resemble fearsome tiger sharks in order to scare the Japanese, whose mythology associates sharks with a demon god. The book includes an extensive index, a glossary, information on shark-diving adventures, a list of web sites, and more. Part of the "Kingfisher Knowledge" series. 2008, Kingfisher/Houghton Mifflin, $12.95. Ages 10 to adult. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7534-6194-5
ISBN: 0-7534-6194-3
Sharks: Biggest! Littlest!
Sandra Markle
Photographs by Doug Perrine
Did you know that there is a shark small enough to hold in the palm of your hand? Or that the shark with the biggest mouth only eats tiny creatures? How about a shark with a tail so long it counts as one third of its body length? And that this tail helps herd together and stun fish to eat? Young readers will be able to study biggest sharks, littlest sharks, and sharks with special adaptations that help these fish to thrive in their particular habitats when they read this book with its clear text and amazing illustrations by a world renown nature photographer. If readers crave more information, there are extra boxes of facts scattered throughout the book. This introductory title also includes a map of the world indicating where the featured sharks are found, a glossary of "shark words," bibliography and list of websites. 2008, Boyds Mills Press, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5907-8513-3
ISBN: 1-5907-8513-4
Sharks of the Pacific Northwest: including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska
Alessandro de Maddalena, Antonella Preti, and Tarik Polansky
Illustrated by Alessandro de Maddalena
Any high school student or adult interested in sharks of the Pacific Northwest should have this definitive guide close at hand. It is an identification guide to sharks in a region where most shark populations are doing well, but it also goes much further than that. Well-written text outlines specific species, behavior, biology, ecology, and so on--everything vital to understanding and appreciating these amazing animals. As Bruce Wright, Director of the Aleut International Association, Executive Director of Conservation Science Institute, and Science Advisor for Pribilof Islands Association, writes in the book’s forward, sharks are among the most amazing animals, but at the same time, they are the most misunderstood. By "revealing its many secrets," including a shark’s body shape or size and the shape of its teeth in relation to the ways a particular shark makes its living--its niche--the book uncovers many mysteries about this remarkable fish. The authors are well-qualified to write/illustrate this book, as the reader will see in the author biographies. Illustrations throughout the book are clear and beautifully photographed or drawn. As Wright says, "You won’t want to be without this book in your home or boat the next time you are lucky enough to encounter a shark in the Pacific Northwest." 2007, Harbour Publishing, $19.95. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-550174-18-2
ISBN: 1-550174-18-5
Smiley Shark
Ruth Galloway
Smiley Shark is a very friendly shark who wants to "splish and splash with the other fish." However, his smile frightens away Angelfish, Puffer, Starfish, and all the other fish. Smiley Shark doesn’t "feel much like smiling anymore" after frightening everyone he approaches. When all the fish are trapped in a net, however, Smiley Shark is the only one who can save them by doing what he does best: smiling. The tale, albeit simplistic and predictable, will certainly entertain any child. Galloway’s colorful and whimsical illustrations provide lots of visual interest for the child who does not yet know how to read. There is a good contrast to the pages as well--some are crowded with illustrations, other have a few large objects. The sounds are written in big, bold letters and will be fun for the child to say along with the parent or teacher reading. The text is also simple enough for the child who is first learning to read. Smiley Shark easily makes the transition from picture book to board book. 2007 (orig. 2003), Tiger Tales, $6.95. Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58925-800-6
ISBN: 1-58925-800-2
Surprising Sharks
Nicola Davies
Illustrated by James Croft
Zoologist-author Nicola Davies has consistently earned accolades for her books, and now some of them have been reissued with a CD in the "Read, Listen & Wonder" series. What is it about little kids and big critter teeth? Davies understands the thrills and chills inspired by denizens of the deep. In Surprising Sharks, she plays with the stereotype of sharks as giant man-killers. Instead of the great white, kids first meet the dwarf lantern shark, which is "just bigger than a chocolate bar." Sharks, writes Davies, "are not at all what you might expect." Black lantern sharks have light-making organs on their tummies, swell sharks puff up to protect themselves from predators and the small cookie-cutter shark sports a whimsical name and shape. This playful text, complemented nicely by James Croft’s bright illustrations, shows how sharks breathe, hunt and have babies. It also provides a startling statistic: "every year people kill 100 million sharks." The seas are fast losing these mighty swimmers so important to Earth’s ecosystem for 300 million years. Kids are invited to take an informative journey with this magnificent marine animal both in the book and with the audio CD. The story is read by Alan Marriott and then additional facts are provided about sharks. The third and final track has the book being read again with music to assist young readers with the page turns. 2008 (orig. 2003), Candlewick, $8.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Mary Quattlebaum and Marilyn Courtot (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3837-5
ISBN: 0-7636-3837-4
Thresher Sharks
Adam G. Klein
Scary but fascinating, sharks are fish about which young readers cannot read enough. This book, part of the "Sharks Set II" series, concentrates on thresher sharks. Although sharks share many common traits--cartilage instead of bone, oily livers, special tooth-like scales, carnivorous appetites, to name a few--thresher sharks have their own special features. All three species of thresher sharks (thresher, bigeye thresher, and pelagic thresher) are known for their exceptionally large eyes, short, pointed snouts, and short heads. But the best way to identify thresher sharks is their large tails, which make up half the length of their body. What else makes thresher sharks special? Their ability to jump completely out of the water is an amazing feat, given their giant size. The author uses well-written, simple text plus lively illustrations to discuss habitat, reproduction, hunting and feeding behavior, as well as how they avoid predators. Sadly, one predator is humankind, which uses these intriguing fish for sport, food, and leather. Do they attack people? Thresher sharks normally shy away from people, so they are not considered harmful. But, according to Klein, their massive size is a good reason to avoid them. The book finishes up with a page of thresher shark facts, a glossary, and an index, as well as a child-appropriate web site. 2006, ABDO Publishing Company, $21.35. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5967-9290-6
ISBN: 1-5967-9290-6
Whale Shark: The World’s Biggest Fish
Meish Goldish
Combine the term, "world’s biggest" with "shark" and you have an attention-getter for young children. This book, part of the "Super Sized!" series, introduces very young readers to a truly majestic fish. Amazing photography and simple text detail this unusual shark in terms that children can readily grasp: it is as big as a school bus, and its mouth, when open, can fit a small car inside. Its eggs, which hatch inside the mother’s body, are forty times bigger than chicken eggs, but this shark is not dangerous; its main food is plankton or small fish. Whale sharks have huge fins that help them swim; they and basking sharks are the only two kinds of shark that can float. This book has two more special features. Its glossary has pictures to go with terms, and it includes a page about other really big fish. The book also includes an index, suggested books for additional reading plus an online site. This book would be a good addition to any library. 2007, Bearport Publishing, $21.28. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5971-6397-2
ISBN: 1-5971-6397-X
The World’s Deadliest Sharks
Debbie Nuzzolo
Mention sharks and one of the first questions to come up is, ‘which ones are the most dangerous?’ This book, part of "The World’s Top Tens" series, answers this question in a countdown format, beginning with number ten, the gray reef shark, and progressing to number one, the great white. Of the 350 different sharks in existence, only about 30 are really dangerous. Which ones should people look out for? Text on each of the ten sharks featured includes information about habitat, size, features, and habits. Information particular to each shark is also included and is accompanied by color photo illustrations. The book includes a lineup of shark pictures, plus a chapter on understanding sharks that puts things in perspective. For instance, harmful dog bites are more common than shark bites, insect bites kill more humans every year, and humans kill over thirty million sharks per year, resulting in a shrinking shark population. While the compelling title may attract young readers to pick up the book, the lively format and simple-to-understand text will keep them reading. The book includes a glossary, an index, a book list, and Internet sites. 2006, Capstone Press, $23.93. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-5453-5
ISBN: 0-7368-5453-3
Updated 06/25/09
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