The Shark King
(Toon Books Level 3)

Maritime cultures around the world have tales of otherworldly beings who take human spouses, some malevolent, some benevolent, and some too alien for human concepts to apply. In this variation, a Hawaiian woman named Kalie catches the eye of a handsome young man. It is only after their love produces the boy Nanaue that Kalie learns that her strange suitor is none other than the Shark King, a polymorphic being of great power. The Shark King, concerned for the future of his son, abandons his wife to build a refuge for Nanaue, leaving his wife with an unsatisfactory explanation and an odd but endearing boy. As Nanaue grows, he will be faced with a choice: remain with his human mother, isolated from society, or embrace his father's heritage and seek his fortunes under the sea. The Shark King is straightforward but engaging, led by Johnson's standout, classically influenced art. Ages 4-up. (Apr.)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 2-3--A retelling of a traditional Hawaiian tale about Kamohoalii, a shape-shifting shark god. A young woman named Kalei falls in love with a mysterious man who rescued her from a shark attack. They marry and move to a cottage by the sea where they met. The night before their child is born, the man tells her that he must go where he can "protect" his son, as it is not safe for him in the world. As he starts to grow scales and fins while escaping to the water, Kalei realizes that her husband is the Shark King. The baby is born, and Kalei names him Nanaue. He grows up to be a normal, happy child except for two things: he has a shark mouth growing out of his back and a voracious appetite that is never satisfied. Eventually, Nanaue is faced with danger in the world and must go to the one place where he can be safe--the sea. The story is broken up into easily digestible chapters. The muted primary color palette complements the simple text and the graphic art. There is a clear progression of the story that is facilitated by the page layout, but the fact that not every panel is displayed in the same format creates good variety. Kids will enjoy this simple yet mysterious story.--Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.