Tag: David Wiesner

Reading Activities: Shark Girl by Kate Beaton

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Shark Girl
Author: Kate Beaton
Illustrator: Kate Beaton
25 February 2025
Roaring Brook Press
48 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “When Shark Girl is captured by an evil fishing captain’s net, she makes a vow… for REVENGE!

With the sea witch’s help, Shark Girl becomes a human sailor and launches a plan… for MUTINY!

But Shark Girl needs the help of her crew mates before she can enact her plan. Will Shark girl SINK… or SWIM?

Bestselling creator Kate Beaton has created a subversive and hilarious spin on the classic little mermaid fairy tale that will inspire little readers to seek their own revenge on behalf of justice!”

Need some reviews of Shark Girl?

Reading Activities inspired by Shark Girl:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What words come to mind when you think about fireworks?
    • What do you notice first about Shark Girl’s appearance? How is she the same as—or different from—a typical mermaid?
    • The word shark can feel scary; how does the art make Shark Girl seem friendly, fierce, or both?
    • Where do you think this story takes place—deep in the ocean, on a ship, or somewhere else? What clues help you decide?
    • If you could ask Shark Girl one question before opening the book, what would it be?
    • The tagline says she’s “part shark and part human.” What challenges or adventures might that create?
    • Look at the background colors and shapes. What mood do they set for the story you’re about to read?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What makes Captain Barrett’s fishing practices harmful to the ocean?
    • Why does Shark Girl think revenge is the answer at first—and what changes her mind?
    • How does the crew react to Shark Girl over time? What helps them become allies?
    • Where do you see humor in the artwork or dialogue, even during tense moments?
    • The sea witch “lives for drama.” How does this character move the plot forward?
    • What panels or spreads were the most exciting or surprising? Why?
    • What does the ending teach about teamwork and ethical choices?
  • Sea-​Change Comic Strip
    Using six small panels, retell a key moment—Shark Girl breaking the net, meeting the sea witch, or launching the mutiny. Add “sound-​word” effects like SNAP! or WHOOSH! and bright colors to match Kate Beaton’s comic style.
  • Captain’s Catch: Sustainable or Not?
    Draw two buckets. Label one Overfishing and the other Ethical Catch. Cut out or sketch different sea creatures (tuna, shark, sea turtle, etc.). Research (or guess together) which catches are sustainable and place them in the right bucket. Discuss why some choices protect the ocean better than others.
  • Shark Teeth Smile Masks
    Fold cardboard or heavy paper into a half-​mask that covers just the mouth. Cut zig-​zag “shark teeth,” paint it ocean-​blue, and attach string to wear. Practice three Shark Girl expressions: determined, surprised, and triumphant. What emotions do those pointy teeth show?
  • Mutiny Map
    On a big sheet, draw the ship Jellyfish and the crew. Plan your own (kinder!) mutiny: list five changes you’d make to help the ocean—maybe recycling on board or rescuing bycatch. Illustrate each change with simple icons or mini-scenes.
  • Sea-​Witch Bargain Jar
    Decorate a clear jar with sea colors and glitter. Write small “promises to the planet” on scraps of paper—use less plastic, pick up beach litter, learn about sharks. Each time you fulfill a promise, add a shell, bead, or pebble to the jar until it sparkles like magic.
  • Books, Books, and More Books! Check out these real-​world picture books about ocean wonders, identity, and standing up for what’s right:

 

The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs by Kate Messner, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
The true story of Ken Nedimyer, who sparked a movement to restore damaged coral—showing kids that one person’s passion can help the sea thrive.

 

Flotsam by David Wiesner
A wordless seaside adventure where a mysterious camera reveals hidden ocean life—perfect for sparking curiosity about underwater worlds.

 

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
After seeing dazzling mermaids on the subway, Julián dreams of being one too—and finds loving acceptance in his abuela’s embrace.

 

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-​Neal
A salty sea captain thinks he prefers solitude, until a lively girl and the ocean itself nudge him toward friendship.

 

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre
Stunning photographs and poetic lines create a heartfelt “thank-​you letter” to our planet, inviting readers to notice and protect nature.

Picture Book List: 10 Books About the Beach

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Just last week, I spent an afternoon at Siesta Key Beach here in Sarasota, Florida, which is generally ranked as one of the best beaches in the world (thank you, white powder sand!), I got to thinking–how many really good picture books were there about going to the beach and enjoying beach-​related activities? I decided to find out and list some of my favs below with a brief explanation about why I liked them.

And just for fun, I’m sharing one of my oodles of beach photos too.

Beach by Elisha Cooper (1 June 2016)

I’m a fan of anything Elisha Cooper does (see his OPB interview here!), and this book is no exception–it wonderfully shows how a day at the beach is fully of hundreds of memorable moments. The attention to detail in both image (so many nice double-​page spreads!) and text (“A woman lathers on sunscreen and reaches for the spot that cannot be reached”) is delightful.

If you like this one, you should check out River, Cooper’s latest, which is equally a stunner.

 

Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya, illustrated by Masamitsu Saito, translated by Yuki Kaneko (8 May 2012)

The way the boy interacts with the beach via his feet is magical. It simply transports the reader right into the sand alongside him.

I just ran across this book for the first time the other day and wow, I’m glad I did, though I wish there were more English-​language picture books by Konagaya.

 

Duck & Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills (8 April 2014)

Duck wants adventure, Goose is far less sure. When they finally reach their destination (the beach!), Goose loves it but Duck gets his feathers ruffled by all the beach has to offer. This tenth installment in the Duck  & Goose series is a lot of fun and it delivers a satisfying conclusion.

 

Flotsam by David Wiesner (4 September 2006)

This is a STEM book before STEM books were cool. A curious boy goes to the beach ready to collect flotsam and examine it with scientific rigor. This amazing book has shifting perspectives and elements of fantasy that any reader is sure to appreciate.

 

Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (26 Oct 1976)

Who doesn’t love the Harry the Dirty Dog series? In this story, Harry’s mistaken for a sea monster, and he has to hunt down his family in an ocean of umbrellas. The beach misadventures in this classic tale are a lot of fun, although be warned–the language isn’t quite on point for the politically correct times of today.

 

Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Mark Astrella (1 Feb 2001)

Gentle, meditative rhyming text (“the ocean, gray, green, blue, a chameleon always changing hue”) shows how a child explores the beach and watery wonders via her five senses. There’s a Spanish version too that offers a poetic translation of the story versus a literal one, but both are equally enjoyable.

 

It’s a Seashell Day by Dianne Ochiltree, by Elliot Kreloff (21 July 2015)

Let me be clear–I know Dianne well. But I only include books in OPB Lists that I admire and champion, and that’s the case here. It’s a Seashell Day is a memorable rhyming story about a boy and his shell collection that ends in a well-​earned bedtime. It’s a great way to get younger reader thinking about how to engage with the natural world (and it brings up counting, too).

 

The Sand Castle Contest by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko (1 July 2005)

Matthew builds sand castles–so well, in fact, that when there’s a competition, the judge thinks it’s a real house! Can Matthew convince him otherwise, so he might win the big prize (a bathtub full of ice cream)?

 

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Mélanie Watt (1 March 2012)

It’s the third book in the Scaredy Squirrel series, and in true scared fashion, our hero is terrified by all that might go wrong at the beach (pirates, lobsters, seagulls!). Will his homemade beach getaway (inflatable pool, plastic flamingo, etc.) be enough or will he actually brave the beach itself?

 

Wave by Suzy Lee (16 April 2008)

When they’re done well, a wordless picture book can be stunning. What makes this one so impressive is that it only uses two shades of watercolor yet still offers a rich expression of a beachside experience. Small wonder that it was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book the year it came out!