Review by Booklist Review
Readers urged to turn pages to save a little angelfish, a baby seal, and a succession of other sea creatures from a shark's gaping mouth may initially agree with one fish's estimation that That shark is mean! at least until the shark, opening even wider to reveal the big hook embedded in its palate, begs a saving page turn of its own. Thank you! exclaims the relieved shark on the next spread as the freed hook sinks away. You are a good friend. Bye! Though the huge predator is last seen chasing a sea turtle, Kyung closes with further bids for sympathy in the form of a plea to Save the Sharks! (though she doesn't explain from what) and a page of shark facts. Dominating the marine scenes and mostly seen head-on, the shark's toothy maw will induce delighted shivers in young viewers even as the comments of a floating peanut gallery of rescued victims and other by swimmers in dialogue bubbles lighten the drama. You can almost hear the Jaws theme in this interactive outing.--John Peters Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--In this book, readers interact with a variety of ocean life as the big bully shark tries to eat their new ocean friends. Every time shark closes in on his prey the ocean animals implore the reader to help them, offering different interactions with every turn. As one creature is saved another needs to be rescued, until readers discover the reason behind shark's scary habits. The plot is simple but engaging, and requires readers to look at all parts of the ocean picture. The vocabulary is also simple and stands out against the pages, making this book easy to read to large or small crowds. The illustrations are crucial to the story, as the text is one long piece of dialogue with the audience. The colorful characters contrast nicely against the ocean backdrop, allowing readers to see all the background interactions they might otherwise miss when saving their new friends. Kyung has crafted a very engaging and interactive set of characters, from seals to sea turtles, that show the depths of friendship and the deep blue sea. VERDICT An interactive story to help teach young ones some creatures of the sea and how to help others.--Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
After a large fishhook dangled by a passing vessel becomes stuck in its mouth, a shark swims through a group of marine animals, accidentally swallowing several. The animalsa clownfish, a puffer fish, a seal, and moreand their worried friends and parents enlist readers' assistance to free them. "Hello, friend! I need your help. Please turn the page. SAVE ME" reads one representative plea, and sure enough, on the next spread, that fish is free on verso while another one is stuck in the shark's maw, which gapes open on recto. While the major elements of compositions are static, Kyung keeps pages fresh with humorous dialogue and expressive faces on her sea creatures. The shark initially comes across as a bully, but by the end, readers learn that its mouth is open due to the hook, and like the other animals, it needs their help. Once the hook is free, the shark thanks its new "friend"and then playfully chases a sea turtle. The backmatter, entitled "Save the Sharks!" consists of a series of shark facts in speech balloons, like the rest of the book's text. These include their sizes, diets, habitats, and physical peculiarities, but there is no mention of why the shark needs saving. Given the shark's dilemma, readers may be puzzled not to see fishing addressed at all.Children will enjoy the interactive nature of this funny book during storytime or while sitting in a lap. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
