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Sea Creatures from the Sky
“This is a lovely, gently philosophical book that reads like an aquatic Twilight Zone episode . . . An engaging and beautifully illustrated tale.”
—The Fan Brothers, authors/illustrators of The Night Gardener
“What must a shark make of the scientists who study her? I won’t be able to look at the animals I tag quite the same way ever again.”
—Dr. Alistair Dove, marine biologist, Georgia Aquarium
A touching, beautifully illustrated story of a misunderstood shark, and its quest to understand the world both above and below the sea.
A shark, swimming the seas, encounters . . . Aliens.
Will anyone believe it is true?
Sea Creatures from the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated children’s picture book from the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. Cortés’s stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean. Our shark encounters strange-looking creatures who resemble nice, caring marine biologists. But after they release it back into the ocean, the shark cannot find one friend to believe its tale. Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm children and parents alike.
—The Fan Brothers, authors/illustrators of The Night Gardener
“What must a shark make of the scientists who study her? I won’t be able to look at the animals I tag quite the same way ever again.”
—Dr. Alistair Dove, marine biologist, Georgia Aquarium
A touching, beautifully illustrated story of a misunderstood shark, and its quest to understand the world both above and below the sea.
A shark, swimming the seas, encounters . . . Aliens.
Will anyone believe it is true?
Sea Creatures from the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated children’s picture book from the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. Cortés’s stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean. Our shark encounters strange-looking creatures who resemble nice, caring marine biologists. But after they release it back into the ocean, the shark cannot find one friend to believe its tale. Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm children and parents alike.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published April 3, 2018
331 people want to read
About the author
Ricardo Cortés
30 books25 followersRicardo Cortés is an artist, illustrator, author & publisher.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 20, 2018
A shark is plucked from the sea to be studied by scientists. A novel point of view.
August 20, 2019
A shark tells of two frightening creatures he saw on his adventure . . . but no one believes him.
The artwork outshines the story by far.
The artwork outshines the story by far.
June 16, 2018
The illustrations bump this up to 4 stars. Great book for teaching kids about perspective.
August 8, 2018
Wonderful concept with gorgeous artwork, but the text felt forced by comparison due to the rhymes.
March 25, 2018
Read my full review here: https://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot....
I read Sea Creatures from the Sky aloud to the most discerning audience possible, my 5- and 6-year-old grandchildren. They had great reviews of the book, and I will include them in my look at the book, which comes out on April 3.
This is a gorgeously illustrated view of the world by a shark. It begins, “This is a tale of no one believing something that is entirely true” and that philosophical view continues as the shark views his world and the world above the water. It includes the shark being caught by a pair of marine biologists, who measure him, probe him, tag him, and then throw him back into the sea.
First, both children needed to be told that the shark was telling the story. After that, they had a different perspective about the book, and laughed in different places than they might have had they continued to look at the story from their own perspective. Davick (5) shouted at the beginning, “It’s about a shark!” and he also enjoyed naming the different fish that were in the illustrations. Adela (6) loved that the story was in rhyme, and they both enjoyed it when the biologists caught the shark on a line with a fish for a lure.
We discussed how everyone has a different view of the world. This, of course, is a hard concept for children, and I think that reading this book to a classroom of first or second graders would engender quite a bit of philosophical conversation. Additionally, it might be a good book for a science class. My grandson loves to read about animals and he found the pictures very appealing. Adela, the first grade reader, found that she could read the entire book, which made her very proud.
Truly, the illustrations are beautiful—far more beautiful than the writing, which tends to be good for giggling—which both children did as I read it. Together it made a great package, which we all enjoyed.
Cortés is the author/illustrator of several children’s picture books, but most famously, he is the illustrator of Go the F—k to Sleep, the bestselling adult parenting book and it’s children’s counterpart, Seriously, Just Go to Sleep.
I read Sea Creatures from the Sky aloud to the most discerning audience possible, my 5- and 6-year-old grandchildren. They had great reviews of the book, and I will include them in my look at the book, which comes out on April 3.
This is a gorgeously illustrated view of the world by a shark. It begins, “This is a tale of no one believing something that is entirely true” and that philosophical view continues as the shark views his world and the world above the water. It includes the shark being caught by a pair of marine biologists, who measure him, probe him, tag him, and then throw him back into the sea.
First, both children needed to be told that the shark was telling the story. After that, they had a different perspective about the book, and laughed in different places than they might have had they continued to look at the story from their own perspective. Davick (5) shouted at the beginning, “It’s about a shark!” and he also enjoyed naming the different fish that were in the illustrations. Adela (6) loved that the story was in rhyme, and they both enjoyed it when the biologists caught the shark on a line with a fish for a lure.
We discussed how everyone has a different view of the world. This, of course, is a hard concept for children, and I think that reading this book to a classroom of first or second graders would engender quite a bit of philosophical conversation. Additionally, it might be a good book for a science class. My grandson loves to read about animals and he found the pictures very appealing. Adela, the first grade reader, found that she could read the entire book, which made her very proud.
Truly, the illustrations are beautiful—far more beautiful than the writing, which tends to be good for giggling—which both children did as I read it. Together it made a great package, which we all enjoyed.
Cortés is the author/illustrator of several children’s picture books, but most famously, he is the illustrator of Go the F—k to Sleep, the bestselling adult parenting book and it’s children’s counterpart, Seriously, Just Go to Sleep.
June 30, 2018
The illustrator of the incredibly popular Go the F*ck to Sleep has created a picture book that truly shows his skill. Told from the point of view of a shark, this picture book tells the unbelievable story of things in the air, above the sea, who are not birds. They are creatures with beards, with two ears, with hair. Creatures who hook sharks, take them out of the ocean and into the air, poke and prod them. Just to return them back to the sea, where no other creatures believe their tale of being taken.
In rhyming lines that have a humor and rhythm, the shark tells his story. The tale is accompanied with luminous paintings that show the beauty of the ocean, the many creatures who live there, and the drama of being taken out by researchers. Gorgeous illustrations accompany this shark’s tale and make for one dynamic picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
In rhyming lines that have a humor and rhythm, the shark tells his story. The tale is accompanied with luminous paintings that show the beauty of the ocean, the many creatures who live there, and the drama of being taken out by researchers. Gorgeous illustrations accompany this shark’s tale and make for one dynamic picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
May 21, 2018
Lovely, lovely, lovely. Beautiful illustrations. The concept of a different POV completely hooked me (no pun intended, well, ... maybe a bit). When I pick up juvenile easy beginner books, I don't look at all at the blurbs/reviews. I look at the cover and if the illustration or title grabs my attention, then I read it. The back cover is read only after I finish the book. I don't go in with any kind of expectation(s). The book stands or falls solely on its art and story.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover the narrator of this tale and how the twist made for an enjoyable and engaging reading. I certainly agree with its narrator that the image on page 28 is scary and ugly as heck. But at least, they are the good guys in this story. Highly recommended for budding marine biologists.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover the narrator of this tale and how the twist made for an enjoyable and engaging reading. I certainly agree with its narrator that the image on page 28 is scary and ugly as heck. But at least, they are the good guys in this story. Highly recommended for budding marine biologists.
June 18, 2018
I was given a copy of this book, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I saw this in the Akashic Books catalog and was intrigued. Mainly because my son loves sharks. This is a beautiful children's book that is not only full of wonderful illustrations, but has a unique story. This is a shark's first encounter with man -written from the shark's perspective. Seeing how most people are afraid of sharks and often think of them as monsters, it is interesting the voice that Cortes chose to give the shark. Because that is not the impression that we are left with. This was fun and both of my kids enjoyed it.
I saw this in the Akashic Books catalog and was intrigued. Mainly because my son loves sharks. This is a beautiful children's book that is not only full of wonderful illustrations, but has a unique story. This is a shark's first encounter with man -written from the shark's perspective. Seeing how most people are afraid of sharks and often think of them as monsters, it is interesting the voice that Cortes chose to give the shark. Because that is not the impression that we are left with. This was fun and both of my kids enjoyed it.
July 25, 2018
Interesting introduction to writing from different points of view, immersing yourself in your character or narrator.
The narrator in this case is a shark who is caught by two scientists, measured, and released back into the ocean from the shark's perspective.
It is refreshing and imaginative! -- helping us to think about points of view, but not very informative from a nonfiction standpoint, although, in all fairness, that is not the point of the book, so it does achieve its own goal well. .
The narrator in this case is a shark who is caught by two scientists, measured, and released back into the ocean from the shark's perspective.
It is refreshing and imaginative! -- helping us to think about points of view, but not very informative from a nonfiction standpoint, although, in all fairness, that is not the point of the book, so it does achieve its own goal well. .
November 1, 2018
The unique perspective of a sea creature presents the waters' surface as its "sky" during a fully unpredictable and disorienting experience. The direct address voice to readers implies it is addressed to other SEA creatures, increasing readers' sense of identifying with underwater lives.
The illustrations are quite stunning, and this could serve well as mentor text for craft lessons on voice and point-of-view.
The illustrations are quite stunning, and this could serve well as mentor text for craft lessons on voice and point-of-view.
March 22, 2019
I was surprised by how much I liked this one. I wasn't sure what to expect. It's a story told by the shark about what it's like to be captured, coded, and released. No one in the ocean, of course, will believe his strange story.
The illustrations are great, the text is rhyming which I'm always wary of but gets away with it by being lyrical rather than cutesy so except for one unfortunate page when they rhyme "anchovies" with "impossibility," I'm willing to overlook it. Unique.
The illustrations are great, the text is rhyming which I'm always wary of but gets away with it by being lyrical rather than cutesy so except for one unfortunate page when they rhyme "anchovies" with "impossibility," I'm willing to overlook it. Unique.
April 20, 2020
Genre: Poetry
Audience: Ages 3+
This book is the story of a small shark who is caught by a fishing boat and believes that they are creatures from the sky. He tries to explain his story to his friends and family, but nobody believes him. They say that it is impossible.
1. This poetry book is written in lyric.
2. The author uses sensory imagery as well as rhyme to tell this story
Audience: Ages 3+
This book is the story of a small shark who is caught by a fishing boat and believes that they are creatures from the sky. He tries to explain his story to his friends and family, but nobody believes him. They say that it is impossible.
1. This poetry book is written in lyric.
2. The author uses sensory imagery as well as rhyme to tell this story
October 26, 2022
A charming, “gently philosophical” book. Beautifully illustrated, with a story that could help children think about different perspectives. Definitely a book that I look forward to coming back to reread at a later date.
4-stars instead of 5, as I felt that the writing fell a bit short of the premise and especially of the illustrations. Still, not bad!
4-stars instead of 5, as I felt that the writing fell a bit short of the premise and especially of the illustrations. Still, not bad!
March 5, 2018
I'm kind of super into this. I think it could be a really fun option for storytime. The art on the humans was a little bit toward the uncanny valley for me, so I was not crazy about that, but this book is pretty and makes an interesting point without being heavy handed.
March 29, 2018
What a lovely kids book. This has great artwork (my 10-yr-old son agrees, though he says the story is a bit "young" for him), and I think most sea-loving smaller children will get a kick out of this alien-esque story about a shark.
May 25, 2018
I love the story and the graphics of this book.
It is so colorful! I can't wait to read it with my grandchildren!
Thank you Author Ricardo Cortes, Goodreads First Reads and Akashic Books for the advanced copy.
It is so colorful! I can't wait to read it with my grandchildren!
Thank you Author Ricardo Cortes, Goodreads First Reads and Akashic Books for the advanced copy.
July 11, 2018
Beautiful, imaginative illustrations accompany this brief poetic text in a story from a large fish's point of view. I think everyone will be surprised to discover just what, or who, those Sea Creatures from the Sky are.
October 16, 2020
I picked this up completely on accident but I was still impressed by the art. The story is quite simple so I wish it was longer so the audience to read aloud. I liked the message of helping wildlife.
June 12, 2018
A shark's tale with stunning illustrations.
December 27, 2018
Great story from the shark's pov
May 24, 2021
Beautiful and thought provoking and funny.
March 16, 2023
Beautiful and clever/fun
May 6, 2023
What a gorgeous cover! Beautiful artwork of the shark’s wondrous aquatic world is marred by stilted rhymes, a weak story line, and a conflict that remains unresolved. Telling the story from the shark’s point of view is an interesting concept, yet who is the audience but “heads with two ears”?
May 17, 2018
Why we chose this book:
The cover caught my eye, and when I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. I contacted Akashic Books (the publisher), and they sent me a copy for review.
Mom's Review (V)
A shark is stunned when scientists pull it from the sea.
It is easy to see why Cortés is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator. The pictures in this book are breathtaking. It was the cover that first drew my eye, and the beauty continues inside. The story is thought-provoking — an implicit questioning of humans' effect on wildlife. Written mostly in rhyme, a shark narrates its experience with scientists. I want to be clear that this is not a talking shark who acts like a human, but rather a description of what a shark might think and feel when it is examined by scientists. I could feel the shark's confusion and terror at being captured, and finally relief at being released. I've always thought it amazing that scientists can track animals, and I've wondered how the scientists do it, and if the animals are okay with it. I won't be tagging animals, and I don't know if T ever will, but the book's message translates to any human-wildlife interaction.
I'd recommend it for the illustrations or the story. Together, they make it well worth reading.
Son's Review (T)
(age 3)
T, his dad, and I read this together and talked about it. When we asked T what he would do if he were the shark, he started to cry, saying, "I'm not a shark. I'm T." We've read it a few times since then, and now T and I are sitting down to do our "official" review over lunch.
Mom: What do you want to say about Sea Creatures from the Sky?
Son: I liked it.
Mom: What was your favorite part?
Son: How they caught him.
Mom: Did you feel scared at all when we read this?
Son: No.
Mom: How did the shark feel?
Son: Maybe sad.
Mom: What do you think the shark wanted when he was on the boat, when the people had him?
Son: I thought he wanted to be free.
Mom: Would you want to be a scientist like that? Why? What would you want to learn?
Son: Yeah. I want to learn about butterflies.
Mom: It kind of reminds me of Shark Lady, but from the opposite perspective.
Son: Why?
Mom: Because instead of a person examining sharks, its a shark being examined by a person. So it's like from the opposite side. From the other perspective.
Mom: Now, I have two more questions for you: When might it be good to read this book? And who might like this book?
Son: Hmmm. When you feel scared because it's a scary book...the shark is scared. G because the ocean is blue and Thomas is blue.
(G likes Thomas.)
The cover caught my eye, and when I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. I contacted Akashic Books (the publisher), and they sent me a copy for review.
Mom's Review (V)
A shark is stunned when scientists pull it from the sea.
It is easy to see why Cortés is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator. The pictures in this book are breathtaking. It was the cover that first drew my eye, and the beauty continues inside. The story is thought-provoking — an implicit questioning of humans' effect on wildlife. Written mostly in rhyme, a shark narrates its experience with scientists. I want to be clear that this is not a talking shark who acts like a human, but rather a description of what a shark might think and feel when it is examined by scientists. I could feel the shark's confusion and terror at being captured, and finally relief at being released. I've always thought it amazing that scientists can track animals, and I've wondered how the scientists do it, and if the animals are okay with it. I won't be tagging animals, and I don't know if T ever will, but the book's message translates to any human-wildlife interaction.
I'd recommend it for the illustrations or the story. Together, they make it well worth reading.
Son's Review (T)
(age 3)
T, his dad, and I read this together and talked about it. When we asked T what he would do if he were the shark, he started to cry, saying, "I'm not a shark. I'm T." We've read it a few times since then, and now T and I are sitting down to do our "official" review over lunch.
Mom: What do you want to say about Sea Creatures from the Sky?
Son: I liked it.
Mom: What was your favorite part?
Son: How they caught him.
Mom: Did you feel scared at all when we read this?
Son: No.
Mom: How did the shark feel?
Son: Maybe sad.
Mom: What do you think the shark wanted when he was on the boat, when the people had him?
Son: I thought he wanted to be free.
Mom: Would you want to be a scientist like that? Why? What would you want to learn?
Son: Yeah. I want to learn about butterflies.
Mom: It kind of reminds me of Shark Lady, but from the opposite perspective.
Son: Why?
Mom: Because instead of a person examining sharks, its a shark being examined by a person. So it's like from the opposite side. From the other perspective.
Mom: Now, I have two more questions for you: When might it be good to read this book? And who might like this book?
Son: Hmmm. When you feel scared because it's a scary book...the shark is scared. G because the ocean is blue and Thomas is blue.
(G likes Thomas.)
Want to read
May 12, 2018Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Read
July 5, 2018The premise of the story was amazing, but the execution wasn't what I hoped. The phenomenonal illustrations kept this from disappointing. They are lovely!
Read
July 29, 2018Our narrator tells a story of strange creatures from the sky. The illustrations reveal the twist to the reader. A reasonably fun book, with good illustrations, though I wasn't super into it.
Read
January 19, 201917/365
April 7, 2019
Beautiful watercolor illustrations that look like poetry themselves, poem/story perfect for reading aloud - what’s not to like? It’s alternately got pages flooded with flying manta rays and water-washed skies and then some silliness thrown in, and one of the first stories I’ve read where I wasn’t afraid of the shark (it’s from the shark’s POV!). And yes, I am counting Finding Nemo.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews