I'm a Shark

I'm a Shark

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4.02 of 5 stars 4.02  ·  rating details  ·  476 ratings  ·  105 reviews
Shark's not afraid of anything.

The dark?

Nah.

A big mean bear?

Don't make him laugh!

But there is one thing that even Shark fears. . . . Can you guess what it is?
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published April 26th 2011 by Balzer + Bray
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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 684)
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Nick
I thought the story was cute and that the artwork was nice, but the book had no real payoff that was related to the story being told.
The primary story was about a young shark who didn't want to be seen as afraid of anything, although he clearly had one specific fear. The problem was that the payoff was that the other sea creatures shouldn't be afraid of sharks, which is doubly confusing. First, because that had nothing to do with the story, and second, because their fear of sharks is quite reaso...more
nicole j. wroblewski
I think Bob Shea is officially our go to author when we need to buy a present. Earlier this week I handed Ben a pile of Nicole-approved picture books when we were looking to buy a present for our five year old pal's birthday, but when I saw "I'm a Shark" I knew he'd soon forget the others. I had to read it aloud to him (to Ben, the 26 year old, I mean) because I knew he'd really enjoy it. And he did.

Funny. Great comedic timing which of course means great read aloud. Simple illustration with grea...more
J.F. Sanborn
I'm a Shark would make a cute read-aloud duet: The black text to be read by the adult, the white text by the child. It would also be fun to have two librarians team up and read this as a duet for story time! This book is adorable from its dedication (which includes a scanned copy of the author's young son's artwork) to the jacket flap (which includes a father-son photo). I'm a Shark contains a dialogue between narrator and shark which is truly between father and son. You can just imagine the bed...more
Dolly
Oct 07, 2011 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children
We recently saw Bob Shea at the National Book Festival at the National Mall in Washington DC. He's a very interesting and down-to-earth dad who writes about what he knows and experiences through being a parent. After the event, we decided to borrow more of his books from our local library.

This is a funny story about a shark who's not afraid of anything, except perhaps for a creepy spider. The illustrations are expressive and humorous. And the narrative helps children understand that even the bi...more
Carrie
First page: "I'm a shark! Aren't I awesome?" Shark goes on to list all the things he isn't afraid of. He watches scary movies with his eyes open. He doesn't cry when he gets a shot. He's not scared of bears. There's only two things Shark is scared of. Spiders, and a spider disguised as a squid (because that's how they get you.)

Big, bold illustrations and text, including several that take up both pages, and fun narration that would be perfect for storytime. It would work as a two-person performan...more
Jane Meyer
I didn't like this book. I can tell that Mr. Shea has quite a following, but I wonder if they are mostly adults who can appreciate his humor. The storyline is hard to follow, and there were big question mark looks all over the kids' faces when I read it. If it were acted out, it might be different...

I like the idea of a shark having some fears, and I also like the idea of the shark sharing ideas of how to be brave--but the themes get lost in the sarcasm and silliness...
Samantha
Another GREAT picture book from one of my favorite authors! Sooooooooooooo funny! Simple text that begs to be read aloud, or should I say screamed aloud paired with cartoony illustrations of the cutest shark I think I've probably ever seen! This shark is not afraid of anything...except spiders! The juxtaposition between how brave and fearless and then how shrieky and paranoid the shark is thrills me to no end. Can't wait to see what Shea will come up with next!
Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance
Shark brags about how he is not afraid of anything, but there might just be one thing he is afraid of!

Clever, funny text with great illustrations. The first few pages were fabulous.

“I’m a shark! Aren’t I awesome?
When I get a shot, I don’t even cry.
I can watch scary movies without closing my eyes.
If there were a dinosaur here and he saw me, you know what he would be?
Scared!”

Mrs. Nelson's
Shark is not afraid of anything. In fact, scary things - the dark, a big scary squid - are afraid of him! Well, he might be scared of one teensy-tiny little thing...but good luck getting shark to admit it. Kids and their parents will enjoy this brightly illustrated story, especially the kids who aren't afraid of anything!
--Review by Lauren
Jodie
Kids will enjoy reading this book. Are you afraid of sharksk? Most would answer yes, but what would a shark be afraid of? One would think nothing, but that is not the case in this story. Our brave shark has a fear and tries desparately hard not to let his friends know about it. Big illustrations fill the page and engage the reader.
Maritza Caldera
Although the illustrations are very simple, I think they're very cute. I really enjoyed this story because it teaches confidence. The shark is very comfortable with himself, he even admits he is afraid of spiders. Aside from that, he feels confident that nothing else scares him. I'm sure this book would make children laugh.
Lisa
Silly story about a shark with an arrogance problem... except for spiders. :D Don't let the illustrations or the short story fool you-- the humor is witty enough for older kids, and would likely be lost on younger ones (but not their parents). As an arachnophobe myself, I enjoyed this just as much as Owen.
Amber Adams
This book told the story about a shark who is not afraid of anything, except one thing! The author uses unique font sizes and colors to tell the story of the brave shark. I would use this book in my classroom to teach students about using diverse fonts and colors to better tell the stories
Kristen
Bob Shea books make me so happy! This was no exception. I love books like this for talking with kids about what someone is saying versus what is true--it's a great book to make them think about whether the shark really is afraid of anything. Plus, it's just ridiculous amounts of fun!
Marcie
Jun 29, 2012 Marcie rated it 2 of 5 stars
Recommended to Marcie by: Woodbury new books
I guess kids will like this because it seems in the year of the Shark it's important to have Shark in the title. I don't think this lived up to other Bob Shea winners however. It may just be that the humor didn't hit me. I can think of a couple of 5 year olds who might like it.
Tessa
A silly story for anyone who's afraid of something - which is all of us! The text takes a bit of explaining to younger children as it's kind of disjointed being connected to the pictures and having to be read with the picture progression. Still a great read and a good laugh.
Heather
One of my new favorite staff picks! Meet a bold little shark with an irrepressible attitude, who is just bursting with confidence in every situation... unless one particular thing happens to be involved. This is a charming & funny read-aloud with an irresistible protagonist.
Tricia
Sharks are a hit in our house...and we had high hopes for this new title by Shea. Shark character is absolutely sharky as he tells us all about what he is, and isn't, afraid of in the ocean. Readaloud potential on this one is definitely early elementary at its best.
Janelle
What do sharks fear? Bob Shea presents a very silly scenario in his very humorous book, I'm a Shark, about the most awesome, self-assured shark ever. The book contains all the elements of a fun read-aloud: lively dialog, sharp illustrations, and plenty of humor.
Becky
When you're an awesome shark, even the dark is scared of YOU. You're not scared of anything...except maybe one thing. Read this book aloud to keep the giggles coming as Shark's one fear is revealed. As a bonus, where else will you see a bear in scuba flippers?
Lee
Definitely to be included when your child goes through "the shark phase"! I wish we had found this one when it was our turn so many years ago. I read this as a pick-me-up for myself & was completely amused. Cute drawings, including a sketch from Ryan.
Jennifer Hufford
Love love love Bob Shea's books! They are hilarious for kids and adults! This is not to be missed (a shark who's very high on himself (until it becomes apparent he's deathly afraid of spiders--like me!). Also don't miss Shea's Dinosaur Vs. books.
Arthur Pengerbil
Reading Level: Ages 3 - 5

An awesome, brave, shark scares everything he sees (as long as there are no spiders included).


For more book reviews from the HPPL Youth Department, click here.
Ruth
Read this at the library and had to borrow it for my husband who fears sharks (he often goes surfing and free dives). I just cracked up because it's so silly. The illustrations are so simple. Cute! Only gave it a 4 star cause I wouldn't call it a great story but definately one to read to get a chuckle from. :0)
Amalia Ricksecker
PB 44: OHMYGOSH this book was awesome! My roommate read it aloud to me and I absolutely loved it, and the way she read it. SUCH A GREAT READ ALOUD! It was a lot of fun, and had great characters and a good developing story.
Sarah Souther
Shark is pretty full of himself. He boasts to Crab and Fish, "I'm not afraid of the dark. Dark is afraid of me. Dark saw me and RAN!" As long as the dark (or dinosaur, or giant squid, or bear) doesn't have spiders in it or near it, Shark isn't scared. Bob Shea's simple, silly illustrations compliment the story perfectly. Gr. PreK-2.
Terran Drake
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Colby Sharp
I too am pretty tough like the shark in this book, but like the shark, I am not a fan of spiders. I think kids will love this book. Thinking of asking my first grade friend if I can read it to her class.
Peggy
I really, really love this shark. An excellent read-aloud story about being scared told by an irrepressible shark. The shark is nine kinds of awesome, PLUS there's a giant squid. How can you go wrong?
Sarah
What is shark afraid of? Nothing! He's awesome, and he's not afraid of anything. Unless it is somehow spider related, eek! Now he's afraid of this review! Poor shark, it is a good thing he's so awesome!
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I'm a Shark (Library Binding)
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