Review Detail

SCARY SHARK is a delightful celebration of Halloween. Edward the Shark is spooked by a ghost that he sees out the window. Luckily, his BFF Lotta the Crab is there to help explain that it is Halloween. Together, they get ready for the holiday, find a costume, and welcome trick-or-treaters. Edward learns that it is not scary - but it is a lot of fun!

What I loved: This is a charming story about helping friends understand things they may feel afraid of to help them not be so afraid. It's also a joyful celebration of all things Halloween. The story flows well with plenty of comedy and fun along the way. The shark, who should be the scary one, is actually the one feeling scared, and his journey to understanding and not being as afraid is entertaining. Bright, comic book style images capture the story well and will keep readers engaged.

The text also contains lots of word art but is clear throughout. Due to the length of the text on various pages, as well as the image density on some pages, this will work best for elementary school readers, who can also understand what Halloween is and all the fun of the holiday.

Final verdict: SCARY SHARK is a delightful story about dealing with fear and friendship that will amuse and entertain elementary school readers.