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6th out of 311 books
—
88 voters
Shark vs. Train
by
Chris Barton,
Tom Lichtenheld (Goodreads Author)
Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?!
If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?
[star] "Th...more
If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?
[star] "Th...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
April 1st 2010
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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A shark and a train compete in several contests. Everything from bowling, playing hide and seek, shooting baskets, video games, performing in a piano recital and many, many more hilarious scenarios.
This book is just downright fun. My kids were in stitches and I had fun reading it. Very creative, very clever, and did I mention fun?
This book is just downright fun. My kids were in stitches and I had fun reading it. Very creative, very clever, and did I mention fun?
Shark vs. Train is an entertaining tale about what happens when one young boy finds a toy shark in the toy box and another young boy finds a toy train. This begins a battle royale with a series of amusing face-offs. Who will win in the ocean? Shark, of course. Who will win on the railroad tracks? Another predictable one. But the fun begins when author Chris Barton's inquiries start to get more unusual: who will run a better lemonade stand? Apparently Train, because Shark can't compete with a lem...more
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Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?! If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious & wacky picture book, Shark & Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating & many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train? With Tom Lichtenheld's hilarious & playful illustrations combined with Chris Barton's zany text, this irreverent picture book...more
Two young boys dash to the toy box and dig around. One emerges with a shark toy while the other brandishes a toy train. So now the sides are clear, but which toy would win a battle? Well, that all depends! Would it be underwater or on train tracks? Would they be eating pies or having a burping contest? The ideas of the sorts of competitions will have readers giggling in delight as the shark wins one and then the train wins the next. Each competition is illustrated for humor and the reasons for w...more
I read this particular story to children I was babysitting. They had requested it as their bedtime story as it was one of their favorites, so I had high expectations. I was not let down; the plot was very creative, original, and very funny. The story is about two boys imagining their toy shark and train coming to life and battling in various competitions; such as burping contests and bowling. I found the two characters battling to be a hilarious combination. The illustrations were a sort of “I-s...more
This is a super fun read, and would make an especially good "boy book" (I generally don't like labeling books like that, but I know parents and teachers are really on the hunt for books to get their boys into reading and I think this is a great choice!) There's a friendly competition between the shark and the train, and it highlights the fact that we are all have different strengths and weaknesses. The shark and train are in a variety of amusing situations, like playing basketball, being an amus...more
8 likes · like · see review
Here is why I like and review this book. It was just the comical neutralizer we needed around here, with the boys' continual rivalry and one upmanship between their toys. Who is the best, the fastest, the highest, the most amazing? Who wins?
This book plays with this question by matching up unlikely rivals, the shark and train (and even frames it within two boys picking the two out of the toy box).
Shark vs. Train. Who will win? Well ..... it depends on what the contest is. From sword-fighting, to...more
This book plays with this question by matching up unlikely rivals, the shark and train (and even frames it within two boys picking the two out of the toy box).
Shark vs. Train. Who will win? Well ..... it depends on what the contest is. From sword-fighting, to...more
Audience- This book would be good for Kindergartens, 1st grade and 2nd grade students, both boys and girls. My son, who is in 1st grade, read this book and absolutely loved it.
Appeal- The pictures in this book are colorful and funny. Student will enjoy the silliness of this story.
Application- This book can be used in the classroom to discusses how the train and the shark are very different but they are both great at different things, much like humans. After reading the book teacher could pair t...more
Appeal- The pictures in this book are colorful and funny. Student will enjoy the silliness of this story.
Application- This book can be used in the classroom to discusses how the train and the shark are very different but they are both great at different things, much like humans. After reading the book teacher could pair t...more
Shark vs. Train surprised me a bit. I really wasn't expecting the kids to really like this book that much, but I was wrong. The text is pretty funny, the pictures are cute and easy for kids to process, and my 3 year old nephew got the concept of this book right away. Both kids were very interested to see who was going to come out on top in this contest between unlikely rivals.
This book is another that is perhaps a little challenging to read out loud, though. There are several conversational "bub...more
This book is another that is perhaps a little challenging to read out loud, though. There are several conversational "bub...more
This is so wacked out and hilarious. The stuff that must go through some people's brains to come up with this kind of a kid book! Not only can I see the appeal to a certain age group (and maybe, to a certain gender--although there I would say I think it could appeal to both boys and girls), but the art is delightful, and the little asides are so witty and humorous that I can't imagine adults wouldn't like this too. The premise is that each kid picks a toy from the toy bin--one is a shark, the ot...more
This was a cute story. It reminded me a bit of Toy Story, with its playtime aspects ... and a little of the age-old ninja vs. pirate kind of debates that always happen (though I do have to admit, sharks and trains is an interesting spin on that).
I don't think that there is anything classic about this book, but I picked it up for my nephew because I figured it would be fun to read to him. It has a bit of the guessing element that makes reading fun, and creates a quick page turner.
The art is nicel...more
I don't think that there is anything classic about this book, but I picked it up for my nephew because I figured it would be fun to read to him. It has a bit of the guessing element that makes reading fun, and creates a quick page turner.
The art is nicel...more
Mar 25, 2011
Candice
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everybody!
Recommended to Candice by:
Lorry
Shelves:
picture-books
What a fun book! Read it to the kids when they're little and they will enjoy reading it to themselves when they are older. Two little boys run from different directions to a toy box. One takes out a shark and the other a train. Which is better? That depends. The trash talking toys compete in a variety of situations. Shark is better at some (in the ocean, eating pies...), train at others (on the train tracks, in a burping contest...). It's a subtle way to show kids that some children are better a...more
1. Audience: this book would be an excellent choice for primary students. I would say it would be best for pre-kindergarten through second grade.
2. Appeal: This book would interest these ages because both the main characters are well know, a shark and a train. they are both silly and an unusual pair to go against each other. The pictures are colorful and there is conversations on each page to keep them wanting more.
3.Activity: In my classroom I would have my children make predictions on who th...more
2. Appeal: This book would interest these ages because both the main characters are well know, a shark and a train. they are both silly and an unusual pair to go against each other. The pictures are colorful and there is conversations on each page to keep them wanting more.
3.Activity: In my classroom I would have my children make predictions on who th...more
Fantastical illustrations combined with age-appropriate situations, Barton and Lichtenheld’s Shark vs Train captures the essence of young children’s play and mentality. The story begins with two little boys running for the two box to grab their two favorite toys, a shark and a train. Each boy then challenges the other to a competition of which character would win in real-world situations; for example, would a shark or a train win at trick or treating? What about exploring distance galaxies? Or b...more
This is such a cute and clever book. You can't help but to laugh at each page as you see the witty comments made by the Shark and the Train as they battle like children. Their competition is relatable for so many children. This could be a great story to read if you are talking about differences with children. It shows that someone may be better or worse at something than another person. It is also great in talking about using our imaginations. In the story, the two little boys are really the one...more
Two little boys are digging through a toy box and each come up with a toy. In little boy fashion, the toys, a shark and a train, instantly become weapons and proceed to battle each other in a variety of contests. Who will win? Well, that depends… Train doesn’t do so well in water, while Shark isn’t great at roasting marshmallows; Train excels at giving carnival rides, while Shark is a shoo-in at the high dive … you get the picture! Eventually, the two discover that there are some things that nei...more
Shark vs. Train! This book was such a riot! I found myself smiling and giggling for each page of outrageous competition! I admired the entertaining illustrations and loved how silly the comparisons were for each head to head battle. I could definitely see myself using this book in a classroom of second graders (or younger). The story has a underlying moral of how competition has its limits. Everyone has their own set of talents and skills, just as we saw... Sharks will not always be able to do t...more
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Practically every child, especially boys, love to compete with another boy or girl. This story does a good job at capturing how both people competing will have qualities that will give them the upper hand over the other competitor and vice versa. I believe students will relate to the shark and train and also find this story hilarious. I would read this to students from Pre-K to 5th grade. I really like how Barton started out with two little boys getting their toys from a toy box and began with t...more
Brilliant concept. Genius!! This book is a perfect gift for every imaginative three-to-eight year old you know (and that's all of them), by which I mean that you-know-it-when-you-see-it stage that often starts before three and lasts well beyond eight--when kids start randomly pretending they're tigers and panda bears, engaging in contests, liking trains . . . Okay, this book is for everyone. You see a kid, and you can't help but want to give them this book. (That's my favorite Chinese grammar co...more
A shark and a train are put through a series of contests to determine who's better. From the logical (who wins underwater?), to less logical (trick-or-treating) and the absurd (who wins sword fighting on a tightrope?), the two boys shown at the begining of the book certainly put their toys through the paces. The style of art complements the writing well. Great as part of a toy-centric story time with Traction Man is Here or a series of epic battles along side Dinosaur vs. Bedtime.
Feb 07, 2012
Jess
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
2-4 grade
Recommended to Jess by:
Monarch
Shelves:
z_12,
picture-books-older-readers
Given a certain situation, who would win: shark or train?
The moment they see the cover, kids fall into like with this book. I mean, sharks, right? It looks sweet and it's even kind of funny. BUT, it is terribly awkward and tricky to read aloud. It's a Monarch so I gave it a go with K, 1st, and 2nd and man, not easy.
It's a larger picture book, but the details are small. It's got some funny situations, but many require explanations, especially when you're dealing with kids under 3rd grade. When yo...more
The moment they see the cover, kids fall into like with this book. I mean, sharks, right? It looks sweet and it's even kind of funny. BUT, it is terribly awkward and tricky to read aloud. It's a Monarch so I gave it a go with K, 1st, and 2nd and man, not easy.
It's a larger picture book, but the details are small. It's got some funny situations, but many require explanations, especially when you're dealing with kids under 3rd grade. When yo...more
A nicely illustrated version of what happens when a shark goes up gaianst a train in various situations. I have to say my favorite is when the shark and the train go to the library to try not to get shushed. The library customers are not to happy to see a shark reading Human Attack! and the librarian, well you can imagine a librarian trying to shush a choo choo! The book is delightful. The shark and train are each better a various activities and discover that there are some things that NEITHER o...more
During the bookfair at my placement I saw a lot of kids purchasing this book, so I thought it might be good to add to my collection. The story is clever and creative. How could it not be when a shark is going up against an actual train in random competions. Such as tightrope walking, who is a better ride at a fair, swimming, and much more. In the story the shark wins some and the train as well. It shows that both are good at their own things. My only gripe, is that I think the story would have b...more
Kids that loved Let's Do Nothing will get a kick out of Shark vs. Train. A shark and a train -- or really, two brothers -- are competitive about everything. One of the things that I liked about their competitive streak is that it was very easy to see that each used their advantage to help them win. A good reminder that we all have strengths and talents! The two battle it out until it's time for lunch.
The contests go on a bit but other than that, this is a great read for younger kids. Themes abou...more
The contests go on a bit but other than that, this is a great read for younger kids. Themes abou...more
So, I wasn't sure when we got the book if my 3.5 year old son would really "get" it. The train and shark are competing, but would he understand why one was the "winner" and one wasn't? And all the cute little witty comments they make to each other, I was sure would be over his head. But I was so wrong!! Little man LOVES this book. Since we got it we've read it multiple times everyday and then he looks at it by himself multiple times per day...and falls asleep with it. It's a winner - and I can't...more
In the tradition of other fun "versus" books (like Bob Shea's Dinosaur vs. Bedtime), this one is sure to make kids giggle and shout out, "But [fill-in-the-blanks] can't do that!" I love the commentary from the shark and the train as they battle it out on the high dive, trick-or-treating, and running a lemonade stand. Some activities have a clear winner (duh, who would be better at roasting marshmallows?) and some could go either way (like extreme Zombie-Squirrel motocross). Regardless, this book...more
This picture book from the author of the DAY-GLO BROTHERS is one of the funniest I've read in a long time. The premise is simple - two boys pull toys from a toy box and start a battle with them. One has a shark, the other a train, and the result is a hilarious series of competitions in which Shark and Train face off in everything from high-diving to trick-or-treating. Laugh-out-loud text with fun, lively illustrations and a lot of little details in the art that add another layer of humor for mom...more
2 likes · like · see review
Shark or Train, who would win. It's quite a conundrum. Shark totally wins the pie eating contest, but train wins the burping contest. But who will win when it comes to playing the piano? (Points to the little girl who piped up and said " I would!" on that one!) Or dueling on a tightrope? Let the debate begin!
When reading this aloud to groups, I skip the first page, keeping the two boys and their toys as a surprise for the end. For a one-on-one reading, the trash talk between the shark and the tr...more
When reading this aloud to groups, I skip the first page, keeping the two boys and their toys as a surprise for the end. For a one-on-one reading, the trash talk between the shark and the tr...more
Train and shark are so competitive, they see who can run the best lemonade stand, pull the most cargo, be the best bowler and even who can eat the most pies. It’s about even until they discover some tasks neither can do very well.
This is a great boy book, a shark and a train, it doesn’t get much better. The two of them compete in nearly everything under the sun in order to determine a winner. The illustrations are clever and witty (Fonzarelli leather co. is on the side of a truck) and the dialog...more
This is a great boy book, a shark and a train, it doesn’t get much better. The two of them compete in nearly everything under the sun in order to determine a winner. The illustrations are clever and witty (Fonzarelli leather co. is on the side of a truck) and the dialog...more
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Children's book author & illustrator Tom Lichtenheld writes for kids who love to laugh and adults who love to laugh along with them. His books have been featured in Newsweek and Child magazines, as well as the New York Times Best seller list.
More about Chris Barton...
He is available for school and library appearances.
Please note that school events are not open to the public. Book fairs and library events are open to t
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