Clark the Shark: Friends Forever: An Engaging Beginning Reader Story about Friendship and Listening for Kids (Ages 4-8)

by Bruce Hale, Bruce Hale

A recommended story that helps young readers learn how to be a good friend. (School Library Journal)

Featuring bold illustrations by Guy Francis and lively easy-to-read text by Bruce Hale, this Level Two I Can Read will have beginning readers ready to take a bite out of reading! Perfect for social emotional learning.

Clark the Shark is super excited about the drawing contest. The winner gets Captain Suckermouth comics, signed by Captain Suckermouth! When Clark asks Joey Mackerel for help, his excitement gets the best of him and he doesn't listen to his friend. Joey is sad because his pet catfish died. Will Clark be able to truly listen and put his friend first?

Clark the Shark has been embraced in the elementary school classroom and at home. Kids laugh at his antics, and they also relate to the young shark who always means well but can get himself into scrapes due to his overabundance of energy.

This is the first Level Two I Can Read for Clark the Shark. Level Two I Can Read books are geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

A serious book addict, Bruce wanted to be a children's book author since he was in 4th grade (right after he got over wanting to be a pirate, Tarzan, and Daniel Boone). Today he's the author-illustrator of over 70 seriously funny books for kids, so some dreams do come true.

The Malted Falcon, one of his Chet Gecko Mysteries series, was an Edgar Award finalist, and Murder, My Tweet won a Little D Award for Juvenile Humor Writing. Bruce has written everything from picture books and easy readers, to graphic novels and novels.

Bruce's recent Monstertown Mysteries series blends horror and humor, based on his childhood love of monster movies. His other series include Class Pets, about the secret lives of classroom pets, and the forthcoming Outerspace Mystery Pizza Club books, due in 2024.

A Fulbright Scholar (in Storytelling), Bruce is also a popular speaker, both in the U.S. and internationally. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and knuckleheaded dog Riley. When he's not writing or reading, you may find him hiking, kickboxing, or singing with a latin-jazz band called Mezcal Martini.

Reviews

[Kari Riles-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clark was excited to enter a cartoon drawing contest with Joey. Clark was too excited that he didn’t notice that Joey was upset. Clark was so focus on the contest it made Joey angry and he told Clark to go away. Later on, Clark found out by Amanda Eelwiggle that Joey catfish died. Clark realize that he needed to apologize and wrote him an apology letter. Joey forgave Clark and they finished the drawing for the contest and won. I learned that sometimes we make mistakes and that’s OK. But once you noticed that you made a mistake it’s important to apologize. I like that Joey forgave Clark, and they were able to be friends again.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that uses a rhythm to teach friendship. The pictures, along with the bigger font, help young readers as they decode words. My young son, who struggles with reading, was able to stick with this one and enjoyed it very much. This is another great addition to the I Can Read series. (review by Ashley, a mother of 3)

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

well done for an early reader

[Christy L. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great lesson

I love the Clark books. They always have such a good lesson. I use them in my classroom. The kids love them.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in School Starter Kit: Library Edition.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clark the Shark is so focused on winning a drawing contest, that he overlooks his friend Joey Mackerel's problem. Once brought to his attention, Clark the Shark does all that he can to correct his selfishness, and be a better friend.