https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8069/

By Dom Conlon and illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

CSIRO

ISBN: 9781486316045

AUD$24.99

As a parent of a 4-month-old future marine scientist, I have acquired a few children’s books about marine life. One book which has proven engaging follows a cute little fish who swims through the pages meeting lots of fishes of different colours and shapes. There is just one page that I always feel tempted to skip over. “Hello, scary fish”, reads the text accompanying the shark. However innocuous this may seem, I often think it would be refreshing to see sharks represented in a less scary, and more nuanced light. Dom Conlon and Anastasia Izlesou have met this challenge beautifully with Swim, Shark, Swim!

This book, aimed primarily at children aged 5 to 8, follows the journey of a lost Blacktip Reef Shark searching for its home. Along the way, the shark explores marine ecosystems from as far apart as Wales to Australia, and in the process encounters Basking Sharks, Hammerheads and African Penguins, among other intriguing organisms and environments. The storytelling by Dom Conlon is both poetic and informative, while Anastasia Izlesou’s illustrations, utilising a mix of digital and traditional media, perfectly capture the unique qualities of environments from kelp forests to coral reefs. This book arouses the young reader’s curiosity, painting sharks as mysterious and fascinating creatures, occupying a great diversity of environments and habits. There is something on every spread that is sure to inspire questions in curious minds of all ages, many of which are answered in the Shark Facts section at the back of the book. Here, simple and inciteful descriptions of many of the organisms and environments covered in the book are provided.

The conscientious science educator is sure to appreciate the well-crafted acknowledgement of a few artistic liberties taken, in the name of a wonderous and engaging tale about often misrepresented members of the marine world. The teachers notes, which can be downloaded from CSIRO Publishing are an excellent accompaniment, providing a range of activities and discussion questions related to the themes explored in the book. This resource adds even more educational value to what is already an enlightening and entertaining read for children and adults alike.

Reviewed by Daniel Cox