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Sharkpedia
Learn where sharks lurk, what they eat, who they hang out with, and why the do what they do. Also, hear from scientists about why some sharks attack, and hear first-hand from survivors what an attack is like. Grab your bucket o' chum and climb aboard!
- GenresNonfictionAnimalsScience
128 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2008
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2021
OK, I know it's a Young Adult book but it was a lot of fun to read--and I learned a lot about sharks!
For one thing, there are a lot more kinds of sharks than I had ever heard of! We know about great whites, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and more..But ever heard of catsharks? How about the pygmy shark--or the sharpnose sevengill shark? How about the megamouth shark?
Do you know which is the biggest shark? Not the great white but the whale shark. Of course, the largest shark of all was the prehistoric Carcharodon megalodon. It weighed 50 tons and measured 50 feet and had 6-inch teeth. It died out 2,000,000 years ago. Why? Why can't some of them still be out there in the depths of the ocean?
The truth is that all sharks are faced with extinction as ruthless and technologically-advanced primates called "humans" are destroying the sharks by the millions every year. Creatures wonderfully adapted to their sea environment--for millions of years--are now facing the end. "Finning" is the unbelievably cruel and barbaric practice that is threatening sharks worldwide. Sharks are caught, their fins cut off, and they are thrown back into the sea to die. The fins are frozen or dried and then sent to China to be used in "shark fin soup." Up to 100,000,000 sharks are killed yearly-- for that damned soup! By the way, the book was published in 2008 and I don't think the situation has gotten any better.
The book includes discussion of shark attacks. An average of 8 people are killed each year by shark attack. What is the most dangerous animal in the world? Look in the mirror.
An amazing book for young and old readers, beautifully illustrated and jam-packed with information. I got the book used without the shark poster included.
For one thing, there are a lot more kinds of sharks than I had ever heard of! We know about great whites, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and more..But ever heard of catsharks? How about the pygmy shark--or the sharpnose sevengill shark? How about the megamouth shark?
Do you know which is the biggest shark? Not the great white but the whale shark. Of course, the largest shark of all was the prehistoric Carcharodon megalodon. It weighed 50 tons and measured 50 feet and had 6-inch teeth. It died out 2,000,000 years ago. Why? Why can't some of them still be out there in the depths of the ocean?
The truth is that all sharks are faced with extinction as ruthless and technologically-advanced primates called "humans" are destroying the sharks by the millions every year. Creatures wonderfully adapted to their sea environment--for millions of years--are now facing the end. "Finning" is the unbelievably cruel and barbaric practice that is threatening sharks worldwide. Sharks are caught, their fins cut off, and they are thrown back into the sea to die. The fins are frozen or dried and then sent to China to be used in "shark fin soup." Up to 100,000,000 sharks are killed yearly-- for that damned soup! By the way, the book was published in 2008 and I don't think the situation has gotten any better.
The book includes discussion of shark attacks. An average of 8 people are killed each year by shark attack. What is the most dangerous animal in the world? Look in the mirror.
An amazing book for young and old readers, beautifully illustrated and jam-packed with information. I got the book used without the shark poster included.
January 26, 2010
AWESOME book chock full of shark facts. Extensive. Thorough. Great use of photographs. If my little shark fanatic was just a bit older, I would buy this one for her---this is both a book to use for homework and a book that one could spend hours studying for fun.
December 10, 2017
Sharks, you either love them or you don’t. I can’t say I would like to get close to one but I think they are interesting creatures so that is why I decided to take a look at DK’s Sharkpedia. This book has so much information packed into it and I learnt a lot just a few pages in, as the book progressed I really appreciated reading about shark stats, looking at the detailed pictures and learning about the difference species.
Calling all shark trackers!…We’ll hit our favourite shark haunts and hideouts and study lot of different sharks…and, of course, those celebrities of the sea… A combination of these words were the introduction to the book and they really packed a punch. I was inspired to go on the journey with Professor John and study these mysterious creatures and hopefully to dispel some of my fears. A good beginning to the book certainly sets the scene of what is to come and in this case I was not disappointed.
The pictures throughout the book are something special, with an up close look at the different species I was able to see just what fascinating creatures they are. With a combination of drawn pictures and photography I was able to look at the normally unseen world of these feared fish.
It seems fear has been associated with sharks since ancient times, it was interesting to learn about the folklore associated with these species – with ancient stories saying that sharks were sorcerers sent by spirits and people believing that when people died their ghosts entered the bodies of sharks.
Perhaps one of my most favourite sections of the book is the double page spread on getting acquainted with the shark. Here I learnt a lot, such as there are more than 400 species of sharks, and that baby sharks are left to fend for themselves. The best part is the diagram of the inside of a shark – now don’t worry guys there is no blood or guts I promise. There is, however, explanations about their teeth, brain, heart and breathing abilities. With all this knowledge your young reader will just about know everything there is to know about sharks.
The book addresses shark attacks and I think this is an important aspect of the book, it’s a reality as they move closer to the shore and may help dispel some of the fear associated with these creatures. In this section, it also gives suggestions of how you can protect yourself should you encounter a shark while swimming or scuba diving. The readers are also being introduced to the topic of conservation and I think the alerts throughout give children a good understanding of how endangered some sharks are, and how numerous countries are trying to protect some of the more vulnerable species.
The book has been well written and is fairly easily understood. Some of the pages may overwhelm the less confident reader, as there is a lot of information jammed onto most pages; I know I glanced at a few pages and couldn’t decide where to begin. There is something for everyone in this book, including a mention of Nemo and Moby Dick which are loved by young and old.
There is so much more I could say about this book but I need to leave something for you to read. DK continue to excel in the thoroughness of information that children understand and there is everything you could possibly want to know about sharks in this book.
Calling all shark trackers!…We’ll hit our favourite shark haunts and hideouts and study lot of different sharks…and, of course, those celebrities of the sea… A combination of these words were the introduction to the book and they really packed a punch. I was inspired to go on the journey with Professor John and study these mysterious creatures and hopefully to dispel some of my fears. A good beginning to the book certainly sets the scene of what is to come and in this case I was not disappointed.
The pictures throughout the book are something special, with an up close look at the different species I was able to see just what fascinating creatures they are. With a combination of drawn pictures and photography I was able to look at the normally unseen world of these feared fish.
It seems fear has been associated with sharks since ancient times, it was interesting to learn about the folklore associated with these species – with ancient stories saying that sharks were sorcerers sent by spirits and people believing that when people died their ghosts entered the bodies of sharks.
Perhaps one of my most favourite sections of the book is the double page spread on getting acquainted with the shark. Here I learnt a lot, such as there are more than 400 species of sharks, and that baby sharks are left to fend for themselves. The best part is the diagram of the inside of a shark – now don’t worry guys there is no blood or guts I promise. There is, however, explanations about their teeth, brain, heart and breathing abilities. With all this knowledge your young reader will just about know everything there is to know about sharks.
The book addresses shark attacks and I think this is an important aspect of the book, it’s a reality as they move closer to the shore and may help dispel some of the fear associated with these creatures. In this section, it also gives suggestions of how you can protect yourself should you encounter a shark while swimming or scuba diving. The readers are also being introduced to the topic of conservation and I think the alerts throughout give children a good understanding of how endangered some sharks are, and how numerous countries are trying to protect some of the more vulnerable species.
The book has been well written and is fairly easily understood. Some of the pages may overwhelm the less confident reader, as there is a lot of information jammed onto most pages; I know I glanced at a few pages and couldn’t decide where to begin. There is something for everyone in this book, including a mention of Nemo and Moby Dick which are loved by young and old.
There is so much more I could say about this book but I need to leave something for you to read. DK continue to excel in the thoroughness of information that children understand and there is everything you could possibly want to know about sharks in this book.
September 6, 2019
Marine theme: Lots of information on sharks; probably more suited to older kids as we liked a different DK publication better.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
October 24, 2024
Pages are designed to look like newspapers, file folders, graph paper, and more. Full of photographs. This is not a book to read in one sitting; an almost overwhelming amount of information to be honest.
August 31, 2017
Fear and folklore.
Fantastic graphics.
Gentle giants.
Media and the movies.
Fantastic graphics.
Gentle giants.
Media and the movies.
March 6, 2023
Cool encyclopedia-style fact book on sharks. Perfect for upper elementary and middle grades.
November 19, 2011
As a introduction to the world of sharks, this book was great! I really like the set up, with various sections portrayed (in photographs, it would have been extra neat as "touchable") as if in folders, with paperclips, coffee ring stains, notes taped in, and so on. Includes small sections about the shark (folklore, history, biology), attacks, and fictional counterparts. The bulk of the book is comprised of a catalogue, detailing various orders of the shark family, with examples of each and ended with an issue of "The Chondrichthyes Chronicles"!
Though written for children, it's easily readable by all ages. The tone is very much with the conservationist - which is great! The more people that realize the threat to these magnificant animals the better!
Oh, and remember... "All shark trackers should keep fingers and toes inside the boat, as some sharks like to nibble." ;)
Though written for children, it's easily readable by all ages. The tone is very much with the conservationist - which is great! The more people that realize the threat to these magnificant animals the better!
Oh, and remember... "All shark trackers should keep fingers and toes inside the boat, as some sharks like to nibble." ;)
Want to read
October 8, 2008Beware keeping books you intend to read at the service desk... I had to give away my copy before I could get it home. Boo hoo...
April 18, 2011
I love sharks so to be able to have this thing is awesome. It cost me 12 dollars and it was so worth it.
Read
May 13, 2018A good book for your shark enthusiast - lots of facts, good pictures, nice variety of topics covered.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews