Swim, Shark, Swim! by Dom Conlon and Anastasia Izlesou (Children's, Picture book, 9/10E)

 

 February 2021, Graffeg, 36 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Summary from Graffeg

Swim around the world with Shark as he explores ocean forests and coastal reefs, meeting Hammerheads and Great Whites, stingrays and dolphins in a search for the place he calls home.

Nayu's thoughts 

I adore sharks. They are fascinating creatures in how they live, needing to constantly swim to stay alive, thriving on smaller fish as prey. I loved how cute the cover is, with the bold shark in the centre page. The only reason this book doesn't get full marks is because the illustration style while beautiful in it's own right, portraying the vastness of the ocean well and the variety of sealife, the colours and colour tone was a little different to the cover. That is a purely personal preference, each page is full of action and the motion of the water and creatures including the shark are vivid and brilliantly portrayed. I'd just prefer a brighter palette. 

On to the story:  shark is on a mission to find where it belongs. I love how all the different types of ocean with different climates and many types of shark reside are explored in shark's journey, emphasising that there are many sharks and not all can live in the same area. There is even a handy map at the story's end so readers can see where in the world the oceans area. The lyrical style of tale is pleasing to read, it isn't really a rhyming style but it has it's own distinct rhythm which matches well with the illustrations. Shark may be a predator but there are dangers in the world, which is why shark must keep on swimming (like Dory from Finding Nemo) until the perfect place is found, which does happen at the end.

Find out more on Dom's website and Anastasia's website.

Suggested read

The eagle-eyed among you will notice that yes I have recently reviewed another book by Dom and Anastasia: Blow, Wind Blow! by Dom Conlon and Anastasia Izlesou (Children's, Picture book, 10/10E)