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120th out of 326 books
—
304 voters
The Shark King
Meet Nanaue, a boy craving to be who he truly is.
From the islands of Hawaii comes the electrifying tale of Nanaue, who has to balance his yearning for Dad's guidance with his desire for Mom's nurture. Award-winning cartoonist R. Kikuo Johnson transports young readers to the lush tropical shores of his native Hawaii. Fluent or not, young readers will be thrilled when they e...more
From the islands of Hawaii comes the electrifying tale of Nanaue, who has to balance his yearning for Dad's guidance with his desire for Mom's nurture. Award-winning cartoonist R. Kikuo Johnson transports young readers to the lush tropical shores of his native Hawaii. Fluent or not, young readers will be thrilled when they e...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
April 10th 2012
by Toon Books
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Shark King by Kikuo Johnson disappointed me with its simple text and muted color palette. Perhaps this is just a matter of my not being part of the target audience, which is emerging and reluctant readers. However, only one of my group of struggling readers showed any interest in Shark King—and then just as a second choice.
In contrast, out of the stack of graphic novels that I picked to read with my students this month, Shark King had originally most attracted me. Why? Because it had two points...more
In contrast, out of the stack of graphic novels that I picked to read with my students this month, Shark King had originally most attracted me. Why? Because it had two points...more
Candlewick's Toon Books line is extremely cool. They're easy-to-read comics made by artists who normally write for adults. It's a great way to introduce little kids to some great art. Plus, I think the comic format makes them even easier for beginning readers, because the pictures provide even more context than a standard picture book.
I love R. Kikuo Johnson's art and he does a great job with THE SHARK KING. The colors are bold but not overwhelming. The images are simple and clean. There's a nic...more
I love R. Kikuo Johnson's art and he does a great job with THE SHARK KING. The colors are bold but not overwhelming. The images are simple and clean. There's a nic...more
The Shark King tells the story of Nanaue, the son of the Shark King, who had changed into human form and impregnated a human woman. But Nanaue is not just human- he has a giant snapping jaw coming out of his back. He steals fish from the villages, who chase him to the bottom of the ocean, where he reunites with his lost father.
It would have been one thing if he had had a fin on his back- but a giant snapping jaw? It's creepy! Nanaue isn't terribly sympathetic, either- he lies to his mother about...more
It would have been one thing if he had had a fin on his back- but a giant snapping jaw? It's creepy! Nanaue isn't terribly sympathetic, either- he lies to his mother about...more
Every teacher wants to find that book that will capture the imagination of their students. The Shark King fits the bill and provides wonderful panels and splash pages where a reader can "stop and think" to absorb everything that is going on in this Hawaiian tale. Readers will be automatically pushed into gathering meaning due to the comic book format of word balloons and silent panels. For example, early in the story a woman named Kalei is caught by a tide under water. One panel shows a shark s...more
This is a kind of retelling of a Hawaiian legend of a shark god named Kamohoalii, although he is never referred to by name. It's structured as a very all ages-appropriate folktale where a young Hawaiian girl meets a dashing man in a cape, they get married, and next thing you know she is carrying is his child. On the night before their son Nanaue is born, the father is revealed as a shape-shifted Shark King who leaps away into the ocean alone. The mother, Kalei, raises Nanaue (pronounced nah-NOW-...more
Reason for Reading: We've been reading the Toon Books since they first came out but now due to my son's age, he's just interested in Level 3+ now. So we continue to read each new title of interest to him. He read this aloud as his reader.
Ds was taken with this mythological tale of a "shapeshifter" right from the beginning pages. He has become very good at predicting what will happen and was delighted when his early prediction here was finally revealed. He was fascinated with the Hawaiian culture...more
Ds was taken with this mythological tale of a "shapeshifter" right from the beginning pages. He has become very good at predicting what will happen and was delighted when his early prediction here was finally revealed. He was fascinated with the Hawaiian culture...more
Based on a Hawaiian legend concerning the Shark King and his son, this graphic novel for young readers contains simple vocabulary and is divided into three chapters. When Kalei falls in love with a handsome young man who rescues her while she is searching for sea snails, little does she know that he is the Shark King. He leaves Kalei behind once their child's birth is imminent, somehow knowing that his son will need his help in the future. When their son, Nanaue, is caught stealing fish from the...more
Join Kalei on an adventure as she wanders the beach to search for food and finds more than she had bargained for. Kalei is a young woman who is saved from drowning by a mysterious man. Eventually, they fall in love and marry. Kalei is about to have a baby when the young man leaves her to make, as he tells her, “a place for our son at the bottom of the pool.” With that, Kalei discovers something surprising about her husband...
Their son, Nanaue, is born laughing. Kalei soon discovers that he has a...more
Their son, Nanaue, is born laughing. Kalei soon discovers that he has a...more
This retelling of a Hawaiian myth in comic book format was complimented by its wonderful art and pacing. The story, while strange, has its high points and sad points. I'm not sure if there is a moral or an origin story hidden in there or if this was just a story parents told their children at night, but either way I enjoyed the read.
One highlight of the book for me was the last page which has an illustration of one of the characters playing checkers (or a game like checkers) with a crab. It mad...more
One highlight of the book for me was the last page which has an illustration of one of the characters playing checkers (or a game like checkers) with a crab. It mad...more
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the gorgeous colors ALMOST distracted me from the terrible ending --- or just the terrible behavior of the lady's husband and son. "Are you sad about being abandoned by us?" they ask. "No worries - here are some token bivalves to soothe your pain. BYEEEEE." And so they leave the lady alone to be shunned by her neighbors and scrabble for her meagre existence. I realize this is written to be an Easy Reader for grades 2-3, so it's going to be somewhat simplified in vocabulary or edited for manuscri...more
I thought the subject of this book-a traditional tale form Hawaii-was pretty fascinating, especially as an odd relative of selkie tales. The art is rather charming with bold black shapes and lines with flat colors that balance between bold and pastel, ending up looking perfectly tropical. While I cannot judge if the cultural representation is appropriate, the author grew up in Hawaii and is insider-enough to be relied upon. It's not the most exciting story in the world but the pictures are appea...more
Toon Books has mastered the art of graphic novels for early readers and this book adds to the depth of their offerings. This story comes from Hawaii and this the tale of Nanaue. He is the child of a normal mother and The Shark King. His parents fell in love after his father rescued his mother from drowning. When Nanaue was about to be born, his father left. Nanaue was an unusual child, not only because he walked at such an early age, but because of a unique mark on his back that could open into...more
Some of this book is terrific. The pop art style illustrations in this "easy-to-read" comic are explosive and colorful, each panel packed with action. A re-telling of Hawaiian folklore, great. But some of the writing lacked depth, and there was some holes in the narrative that I thought needed sewn up using explanation or character development. I would still recommend this to an 7 year old new (and maybe reluctant) reader who wanted something fun and different from the usual easy reader pablum.
R. Kikuo Johnson, whose work has graced the cover of the New Yorker Magazine and the New York Times Book Review, brings his stunning illustrations to a book for children. A part of Toon Books, a series of graphic novels for beginning readers, The Shark King tells the story of Nanaue, son of the legendary Shark King, who learns the difficulties of being a boy of both the land and the sea. Johnson's pacing is masterful and his palette perfectly captures the story's setting in the islands of Hawaii...more
Not my usual fare--I heard of it from the "starred reviews" list at The Horn Book, then was intrigued by the description. Lately I've been interested in graphic novels (short and/or middle-grade, mostly), buut I only want to spend time with the very best.
This Hawaiian fairy tale--I know technically it's a folk tale, but it's got a fairy-tale-esque quality-- is intriguing, beautifully illustrated, and boasts simple language but complex themes.
This Hawaiian fairy tale--I know technically it's a folk tale, but it's got a fairy-tale-esque quality-- is intriguing, beautifully illustrated, and boasts simple language but complex themes.
Book 62 of 1000
The Shark King, a mythical character in Hawaiian mythology falls in love with a young woman. Over time, she gives birth to a boy who has a strange mark on his back. As the child grows, he causes mischief with the local fishermen. Visually stunning, but unless you're familiar with the story, there may be some confusion as to what is going on. Still it works as a good introduction to world folklore.
The Shark King, a mythical character in Hawaiian mythology falls in love with a young woman. Over time, she gives birth to a boy who has a strange mark on his back. As the child grows, he causes mischief with the local fishermen. Visually stunning, but unless you're familiar with the story, there may be some confusion as to what is going on. Still it works as a good introduction to world folklore.
Woo! Comic books for early literacy! This book walked a lovely line of being beautiful and straightforward, nuanced and easy to understand. As a fable or fairy tale should be, and what they are great for -- teaching that stuff. Also - in color! Beautiful but not self-congratulatory artwork! Excellent series, Toon Books, hope I run into some more of you soon!
A beautifully illustrated Hawaiian folk tale. There is a fair amount left unexplained and the main characters aren't clearly good or bad, as is often the case in folklore, but the plot is simple enough and it's a nice introduction to more complex comic conventions. There is also a wealth of discussion material for parents and teachers. I really loved this.
We've read other Toon books, Silly Lilly and the free iPhone books and really enjoyed the format. The Shark King is beautifully drawn, and my boys love the story. We've read it maybe 10-15 times since checking it out from the library, and my older son enjoys reading it himself and to his younger brother. We may add this one to our home library.
This is a great short graphic novel for 7- to 9-year-old readers. The art is great, the story intriguing and funny, and even though the ending left me feeling like, "That's it? It's over already?" it's really the perfect length for a kid with a short attention span.
Nice art but the story was completely rudderless. Was I supposed to sympathize with the boy? With the village? With both or neither? The reader is pushed through event after event, but no attachment to the characters or story develops.
Public library copy.
The story was under 40 pages, but well worth the readers time. Finely drawn and colored and if it wasn't a real Hawaiian folklore story passed down, it sure read like one.
The story was under 40 pages, but well worth the readers time. Finely drawn and colored and if it wasn't a real Hawaiian folklore story passed down, it sure read like one.
Children will enjoy the surprises in this retelling of a Hawaiian legend. It has elements similar to a trickster tale. The ending is simple and may leave readers wanting more or disappointed.
A quick simple story about how a child grows up without knowing his father, but is eventually reunited with him. Wonderful artwork and a simple story make this great for young readers.
Strengths: clear, appealing illustrations; Hawaiian setting; based on traditional story
Weaknesses: a very minimal storyline
One memorable detail: jaws coming out of boy's back!
Weaknesses: a very minimal storyline
One memorable detail: jaws coming out of boy's back!
I have to say the story itself is a little creepy. But I loved the art ... it looked "Hawaiian" ... and I look forward to checking out more Toon Books. Thanks, Candlewick!
Beautifully illustrated, simply told kids' tale from Hawaiian mythology. Quick, fun, aesthetically inspiring read. Yeah, I can't say enough about the art, I loved it.
Hawaiian mythology style comic. Stark colorful illustrations and a sad ending. Recommended for shark fans, mythology readers, and fans of design-y comics.
Not enough story, or character development. I loved Night Fisher, but this felt forced and not appropriate for young readers or high level readers.
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R. Kikuo Johnson grew up in Hawaii on the island of Maui. For generations, native Hawaiians have told tales of the shape-shifting shark god Kamohaoali'i; The Shark King is the artist's version of one such tale about the insatiable appetite of Kamohoali'i's son, Nanaue. Kikuo's 2005 graphic novel Night Fisher - also set in Hawaii - earned him both a Harvey Award and the Russ Manning Award for best...more
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Sep 08, 2012 09:09am