Walter the Whale Shark: And His Teeny Tiny Teeth

by Katrine Crow, Hazel Quintanilla (Illustrations)

What do you do when you feel like you don’t fit in? Find something that makes you stand out! Walter had spent all summer counting down the days to the first day of school. He couldn’t wait to make new shark friends and finally swim into his classroom for the first time. But the first class picture of the year changes everything. Walter realizes there is one BIG difference between him and his shark classmates. After his discovery, Walter spends his day trying anything he can think of to blend in with the other sharks, only to learn that the things that make us feel like we don’t fit in are the very things that make us stand out. Children will love the beautifully illustrated under-the-sea setting in this dust jacket picture book that promotes self-love and acceptance.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Alicia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my daughter’s (3) favorite book! Highly suggest for your littles! Cute story and a great lesson!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter is super excited to start Sharkgarten until he realizes his teeth are much smaller than those of his classmates. He leaves school in tears only to have his mother help him realize that being different makes you standout.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A whale shark goes to shark school and becomes insecure about his small teeth. He tries lots of stand ins to make his teeth look more fearsome, but his mom helps him see that his teeth are uniquely perfect for him. Cute story and pictures, we liked seeing what he tried to use as teeth.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Him was different because his teeth were different. It was a good thing!" --Isaac, age 4

[A Book Matchmaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter the Whale Shark is absolutely adorable! A cute story about how you don't have to be like everyone else to "fit in". A great book about how you are special just the way you are.

[Lori Tart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter is a little different from his snarky classmates, but soon finds friendship with them as he learns to accept himself.

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this, I thought, "another Finding Nemo, sigh." Walter is super excited about his first day of school. Until the class picture is taken and Walter realizes his smile is different from the other students. Her follows Walter trying to fit in. The illustrations are sweet and appealing to the younger crowd. I especially loved when he attempted to use shrimp!

I would suggest, before reading this book to your storytime crowd or other little ones in your life, that you take a moment to cover what a whale shark actually is. When children hear shark, they tend to picture the toothy type. A bit of background on Walters family tree might help the children understand this story a bit more.

Other than that, a good pick for storytime and I recommend as a secondary purchase for libraries who have patrons that are interested in sea life.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the story the other sharks didn't make fun of Walter's tiny teeth. It was all internalized. It might have been good for Walter to learn that lesson as well as the lesson that his teeth are just right for the type of shark and the food that he eats.