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Sharks
Are sharks really dangerous? How many kinds are there? And how do they help the environment?
From huge whale sharks to tiny dwarf sharks, this book has everything you need to know about one of our most popular--and mysterious--sea creatures. Millions of years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth, the first sharks swam in the sea. Though they're often feared and misunderstood, most sharks aren't dangerous to humans.
With her signature combination of accessible, kid-friendly text and clear, well-labeled illustrations, Gail Gibbons introduces many of the more than three hundred types of sharks in the ocean, and gives concise information about their habitats and physical characteristics.
From huge whale sharks to tiny dwarf sharks, this book has everything you need to know about one of our most popular--and mysterious--sea creatures. Millions of years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth, the first sharks swam in the sea. Though they're often feared and misunderstood, most sharks aren't dangerous to humans.
With her signature combination of accessible, kid-friendly text and clear, well-labeled illustrations, Gail Gibbons introduces many of the more than three hundred types of sharks in the ocean, and gives concise information about their habitats and physical characteristics.
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Gail Gibbons
225 books162 followersFrom gailgibbons.com: I was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1944. Even as a little child, I was always busy putting books together. Sometimes I would bind them with yarn to hold the pages together. I've always loved drawing and painting. I was also a very curious child. My parents tell me that I was always asking lots and lots of questions.
Later, I went on to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon. Since then, over 170 books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are non-fiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do.
Later, I went on to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon. Since then, over 170 books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are non-fiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 27, 2025
Really nice introductory book to the amazing world of sharks. What a bad rap they have taken! I can still remember when Jaws came out when I was a little boy; don't think I have ever gone deeper into the sea than my knees since then! This is a nice introduction to sharks that is sure to perk the interests of many future marine biologists!
April 22, 2019
Read about sharks, small to huge sharks, parts of the shark, and the many different kinds of sharks: Bull sharks, blue sharks, Mako sharks, tiger sharks and more. A fish themselves, see how sharks differ from other fish. Published in 1992, this book is still relevant today with the vibrant colorful pictures and useful information. Good for storytimes and read aloud. Genre: Nature. Ages 4-8. Written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons.
December 2, 2018
Great book for students who want to learn more about the shark family. Nice, colorful illustrations and extra facts at the end. Highly recommended to students in grades 3-5.
March 23, 2021
My daughter was enthused about all the new shark facts she learned from this book.
July 11, 2023
I’d love to give this book 4 stars but the pictures were lacking. They were accurate but not as vibrant and interesting as they could have been. Over all a good book about sharks.
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March 18, 2024I really like Gail Gibbons picture nonfiction books
November 7, 2024
Very informative about sharks
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October 21, 2013Book Title: Sharks by Gail Gibbons
Book Description: This book is a nonfiction text that describes various types of sharks and their features.
Focus: Students will use nonfiction text to research a particular topic or animal. Using this research, students will use this information to write about a particular subject.
CCSS Connections: W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations)
Book Description: This book is a nonfiction text that describes various types of sharks and their features.
Focus: Students will use nonfiction text to research a particular topic or animal. Using this research, students will use this information to write about a particular subject.
CCSS Connections: W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations)
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April 7, 2013What: This book shows the anatomy of sharks and what each part is used for. This book would be better if it included actual photos but all of the illustrations are drawn.
So What: Students must learn about different organisms
Now What: Students will choose two different sharks and make a compare and contrast chart. The chart will include things like where they live, what they eat, size, shape, color, etc.
So What: Students must learn about different organisms
Now What: Students will choose two different sharks and make a compare and contrast chart. The chart will include things like where they live, what they eat, size, shape, color, etc.
October 22, 2012
PB:5 Sharks. As I read the interesting facts, I enjoyed the pictures but I felt the book could have has real-life pictures the accurately depicts each shark in the book. Though this was not a big deal, you should take a little something away from this quick and fun read! You could easily read this to a small class of children or let them read it and have a fun discussion about it.
June 11, 2008
Yeah for sharks. They're cool and scary.
We really liked this book. It had wonderful information written in a clear and engaging manner. All of Gail Gibbons books are well-written and contain a lot of information without being overwhelming.
A great book for your shark studies.
We really liked this book. It had wonderful information written in a clear and engaging manner. All of Gail Gibbons books are well-written and contain a lot of information without being overwhelming.
A great book for your shark studies.
October 8, 2012
This book was an interesting book. While it had a lot of information, it still looked like it was on a kid's level. Rather than real life pictures, it has cartoon pictures. There is a lot of writing so children may need help reading, but they will enjoy the pictures.
November 10, 2012
This book wasn't organized very well for students to read. The entire book was written in paragraph form, and it was quite lengthy. In my opinion, it couldn't be used for researching facts about sharks, only to read for enjoyment.
December 4, 2012
just talks about sharks. how they survive in the water. this is great for kids to teach them about the different kinds of sharks. for them to know more about them.
July 3, 2013
Straightforward. Lots of detailed information about different types of sharks and shark behavior. Illustrations enhance writing. Content vocabulary described in detail.
June 13, 2012
It is a great book about sharks, you will learn a lot. S.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews