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Summary
Summary
Nate loves sharks. He reads shark books every day, watches sharks on TV, and talks about them nonstop. He even likes to pretend he's a shark wherever he goes! However, there is one small problem. . . .
Nate can't swim.
When his older brother points this out, Nate works hard to overcome his fears and learn how to blow bubbles, use a kickboard, and finally swim without help, as quickly and as gracefully as a shark. Will he be able to beat his brother in a swim tryout and get his bite back? Kids will love this jawsome book complete with vibrant and whimsical art and a list of shark facts in the back!
Author Notes
Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie are sisters who like sharks, but don't ever want to meet one. They grew up in Atlanta, and never made it onto any swim teams. Tara is a former children's bookstore owner and lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with her three boys and husband. In her free time, she can be found reading and discussing all things Star Wars with her kids. Becky is a creative recruiter with a background in reality TV casting. She currently lives in Chicago, where she spends her free time bowling and eating sushi. You can learn more about their books at beckytarabooks.com.
Daniel Duncan is a freelance illustrator who creates most of his work in an old stable that's been converted into a studio on the outskirts of London. He likes to illustrate narratives, vibrant characters, and environments. Inspired by stories, films, old photos, and sports, Daniel was among the Finalists for the Macmillan Prize for Illustration in 2013, as well as being shortlisted for the 2014 AOI Award for New Talent. Find out more about Daniel at dunksillustration.co.uk.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Nate loves all things sharks. He loves them so much, his friends call him "Shark Nate-O," an allusion to the once-popular B movie. But how can he be like his favorite animal when he doesn't know how to swim? Determined, Nate works with his coach every day until he's swimming as strong as a shark. Cattie and Luebbe's story about facing your fears and accomplishing goals is endearing, but the ending with Nate quickly beating seasoned swimmers in a match feels a bit over the top. It will be a delight for children learning how to swim, and the few puns and pop culture allusions thrown in ("We're going to need a bigger float") will entertain adults. Duncan's sketch-heavy illustrations give a "kid drawn" approach to the piece and lighten the mood, and the addition of some interesting shark facts at the end is a nice touch for those readers just in this for the aquatic beasts. VERDICT An interesting and fun addition to the "learning to swim" picture book set that is perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Nate loves to pretend that he's a shark, although his older brother points out that real sharks can swim. So Nate takes lessons, conquering his fear of the water and ultimately beating his brother in a competition. The humorous stylized cartoons make the most of Shark Nate-O's triumph in this appealing fantasy for both shark lovers and the water avoidant. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A young boy obsessed with sharks becomes one in this tale about hard work and perseverance.Nate's bedroom is decorated with sharks; he reads books about them, watches TV shows about them, and spouts shark facts. His behavior can also be somewhat sharklike. But as his older brother, Alex, points out, "I'm the only real Shark in this family." From the poster, photo, trophies, and uniform and duffel in Alex's room, it's clear that he's talking about a swim team, and Nate can't swim. But he has a plan to learn, and readers follow along with his swim lessons for a week as he learns the basics. Following Nate's initial forays into the pool, Cattie and Luebbe skip the details and the hard work of Nate "practicing his tail off for weeks" and fast-forward to his first attempt to swim by himself. Of course he's successful, and three full-page illustrations show his growing confidence and ability. And then there's tryouts for the Sharks. Improbably, as the crowd cheers his titular nickname, he blows past Alex and becomes an official Shark. Nate's tale is followed by a double-page spread of shark facts. Duncan's characters are expressive in his scribbly illustrations. Nate and his family present white; the swim team is diverse.Though the ending is too feel-good, the message that hard work pays off is clear; here's hoping readers understand its limits as well. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Shark-obsessed Nate reads and watches everything he can about the predatory fish, talks about them nonstop, and even acts like a shark by yelling Chomp! while in pursuit of pretend victims. Nate's fantasies take a hit when his older, athletic brother, who is also obsessed with sharks, points out that he is the only real shark in the family he's a champion swimmer, and Nate can't even float. When Nate takes swimming lessons, he finds that his shark bravado doesn't serve him well. However, after practicing his tail off for weeks, Nate improves and joins the swim team. While the story swerves away from what appears, at first, to be the real issue Nate's obnoxious sharklike behavior shark fans will appreciate the informational tidbits sprinkled in. In keeping with the nautical theme, the sprightly illustrations are dominated by shades of blue and gray. Two pages of back matter, which offer drawings and brief information about eight different types of sharks, will act as further chum for shark-lovers.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2018 Booklist
