Swim, Shark, Swim!

Showing the imaginary migration of a blacktip reef shark, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ takes the reader on a voyage of discovery and introduces them to the underwater world. Here, they meet different types of sharks and other marine life in their habitats before finding a way back to the Great Barrier Reef and home.

Blue sun in sunken skies

the sea sharpens to the shape

of Shark off the west coast

of Australia.

So begins this magical journey, sympathetically exploring shark’s world. It is a joy to read aloud, lyrical and flowing, and sure to excite the imagination. The blacktip reef shark encounters many other species on its journey offering a fascinating glimpse of some of the different types of shark and their habitats. A little more information is included about each at the end of the book along with other things it encounters, making the perfect starting point for further investigation.

Often the focus of fear and sensationalist headlines, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim’ focuses on the beauty of these creatures and the essential role they play in helping to maintain the ocean’s balance. It also reminds the reader of the threats posed by climate change and the impact this is having on shark’s world.

Each glorious illustration celebrates the beauty of our oceans, showing the varied habitats of the sharks and the creatures who live alongside them. The book would make a wonderful starting point for inspiring artwork and poems about these magnificent creatures, accompanied by research. The text is rich in imagery, alliteration, kennings, repetition, onomatopoeia… showing the joy of language and the beauty of expression as well as conveying lots of fascinating information.

Perfect for reading aloud, ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’ would make a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

Swim, Shark, Swim!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1914079054

Leap, Hare, Leap!

‘Dip-dwelling grass-grazer’ Hare leaps from landscape to landscape around the world, introducing the reader to different breeds of hares on her journey. As she ventures from place to place, Hare faces danger from predators as she encounters her

Rich in imagery, ‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ is a beautiful introduction to the world of these fascinating creatures. Using kennings, alliteration, simile and metaphor, the book is lyrical, a joy to read aloud, as well as informative. Additional facts about each hare she meets are included at the end of the book along with information about the Hare Preservation Trust. A glossary explains some of the terms used.

The artwork is as powerful as the text, full of drama and detail. Hare escapes from each predator-including the man-made ‘mechanical monster’ which destroys Woolly hare’s home- making it safely home to her leverets. This book, like ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’, is perfect for supporting work in science on animals and their habitats as well as for inspiring poetry writing.

‘Leap, Hare, Leap!’ offers a love of language, beautiful illustrations and fascinating facts.

Leap Hare Leap!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1913134921

Wee? It Wasn’t Me!

Lenny the lemur is on holiday, enjoying Alaska, when he slips in something yellow and smelly! Determined to discover the perpetrator of the puddle, he interrogates all the creatures he finds, learning much about their urinary habits, until he finally locates the culprit.

This second adventure for Lenny is every bit as entertaining as the first- and there is so much to learn. Who knew there were so many ways to wee in the wild? As Lenny quizzes each creature, the reader learns about the important role this very basic function performs for each animal in addition to getting rid of waste products. Additional information, with photos of each creature, is included at the end of the book, showing the reader that, although it’s a funny story, it is also full of facts!

And it is a funny story! It reminds me of ‘The Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business’- a huge bedtime favourite when my son was small, with added benefits! Lenny is delightful with such an amazing array of expressions, cleverly captured by Nicola O’Byrne’s wonderful illustrations. The ending is just perfect and sure to have children -and adults- giggling with glee. ‘Wee? It Wasn’t Me?’ is sure to be every bit as popular as Lenny’s first adventure, ‘Poo! Is That You?’

In this adventure, well-travelled Lenny is on holiday in South America when his nose is assailed by an awful smell. Determined to locate the source, he sets off to locate its source so he can return to snoozing in the sun. He interrogates a whole array of creatures that he meets before turning his eyes towards the reader! Once again, the story is full of both humour and fact with photos and further information at the end.

These books offer a wonderful way into engaging children with the science curriculum, learning about animals (including humans). From the importance of hygiene to functions of the digestive system to describing the ways in which nutrients and water are transported, there is plenty to learn in these pages! The stories also introduce a range of animals found in each region- the perfect starting point for exploring further.

I wonder where Lenny the lemur will go for his next adventure- and what he will investigate whilst he is there! Clare has created activities for her books which will be available on her website.

Wee? It Wasn’t Me! Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Nicola O’Byrne

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1529030495

You can read my review of ‘Slime? It’s Not Mine!’ in the reviews section of the website.