20 Children’s Books About Sharks: Perfect for Shark Week

Children’s books are a great way to encourage learning about specific topics. Books open doors to new knowledge, as well as entertainment and imagination. Having been an elementary teacher for over 15 years, I spent quite a bit of time reading children’s books, as well as trying to match books to each of my students based on their interests to encourage independent reading.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. 

Below you will find a list of my favorite nonfiction and fiction books about sharks. My hope is that you will find books to share with your children and develop connections through literature.

Included is a description from Amazon, as well as information about recommended reading interest levels, as well as various reading level information that could be found for each text.

Nonfiction Books

1. Sharks by Gail Gibbons (1992) 

From Amazon: “From huge whale sharks to tiny dwarf sharks, this book has everything you need to know about one of our most popular–and mysterious–sea creatures. Millions of years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth, the first sharks swam in the sea. Though they’re often feared and misunderstood, most sharks aren’t dangerous to humans. With her signature combination of accessible, kid-friendly text and clear, well-labeled illustrations, Gail Gibbons introduces many of the more than three hundred types of sharks in the ocean, and gives concise information about their habitats and physical characteristics.”

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 4-8 years
• Lexile Level: 660L 
• AR Level: 4.0

2. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns (2017)

From Amazon: “Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary―and they didn’t think women should be scientists. Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname ‘Shark Lady.’ Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to. An inspiring story by critically acclaimed zoologist Jess Keating about finding the strength to discover truths that others aren’t daring enough to see. Includes a timeline of Eugenie’s life and many fin-tastic shark facts!”

• Pages: 40
• Reading Interest Age: 4–8 years
• Grade Level: 2-4
• Guided Reading Level: N
• Lexile Level: 730L
• DRA Level: 28-30
• ACR Level: 3.9

3. Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jordi Solano (2016)

From Amazon: “This picture book biography follows the life of Eugenie Clark, the Japanese-American scientist, researcher, and diver, who became famous as ‘The Shark Lady’ for her groundbreaking discoveries about shark behavior. Before Eugenie Clark’s groundbreaking research, most people thought sharks were vicious, blood-thirsty killers. From the first time she saw a shark in an aquarium, Japanese-American Eugenie was enthralled. Instead of frightening and ferocious eating machines, she saw sleek, graceful fish gliding through the water. After she became a scientist―an unexpected career path for a woman in the 1940s―she began taking research dives and training sharks, earning her the nickname ‘The Shark Lady.’ “

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 4–8 years
• Guided Reading Level: Q
• Lexile Level: 770L
• Accelerated Reader Level: 4.5

4. The Ultimate Book of Sharks (National Geographic Kids) by Brian Skerry with Elizabeth Carney and Sarah Wassner Flynn (2018)

From Amazon: “Dive into the wild world of sharks! Get up close to learn the truth behind these fantastic, ferocious fish with famed National Geographic photographer and explorer Brian Skerry. Join this amazing underwater adventure to track the sharks of the world, from the teeniest dogfish to the everfeared great white. This ultimate book features every species of shark on the planet, with awesome photos, fascinating facts, the latest science, and firsthand stories of real-life encounters with these incredible creatures. Learn how sharks live, how they eat, the challenges they face, and whether or not you are actually on the menu.”

• Pages: 192
• Reading Interest Age: 4-8 years
• Lexile Level: 1040L
• AR Level: 6.9

5. Amazing Sharks! (I Can Read Level 2) by Sarah L. Thomson (2006)

From Amazon: “Amazing Sharks! is the fourth book in our exciting series of nonfiction level 2 I Can Read Books filled with AMAZING photos from the Wildlife Conservation Society, one of the world’s oldest and most respected wildlife conservation organizations. The series explores the amazing animals that share our world and how we can help them survive. Did you know that some sharks can . . . • glow in the dark! • grow to be as long as a fire truck! • lose thousands of teeth during their lives! • feel electricity in the water!”

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 4-7 years
• Grade Level: 2-3
• Guided Reading Level: L
• AR/ATOS Level Range: 3.0-3.4

6. If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams (2017)

From Amazon: “A healthy ocean is home to many different kinds of animals. They can be big, like a whale, tiny, like a shrimp, and even scary, like a shark. Even though sharks can be scary, we need them to keep the oceans healthy. Unfortunately, due to overfishing, many shark species are in danger of extinction, and that can cause big problems in the oceans and even on land. What would happen if this continued and sharks disappeared completely? Artist Lily Williams explores how the disappearance would affect other animals across the whole planet in this clever book about the importance of keeping sharks, and our oceans, healthy.”

• Pages: 40
• Reading Interest Age: 4–8 years
• Grade Level: 2-5
• Guided Reading Level: M
• Lexile Level: 830L
• DRA Level: 20-24 

7. Everything Awesome About Sharks and Other Underwater Creatures! by Mike Lowery (2020)

From Amazon: “Discover the ULTIMATE, 128-paged book about all things sharks and underwater creatures, from the creative brain of Mike Lowery! Featuring fun facts, jokes, comics, maps, and more. Did you know that sharks can be as small as a banana, or bigger than a bus? Or that whale sharks have more than 3,000 teeth? Did you know that giant squids have eyes the size of dinner plates? Or that clownfish are protected by snot armor?? Find out all this and more, in this comprehensive, hilarious underwater deep dive from Mike Lowery! For fans of Dog Man who love nonfiction, discover this definitive, go-to book about everything AWESOME you EVER wanted to know about all things under the sea. Uncover a wealth of weird, wacky, and wild facts about sharks and underwater creatures, told in Mike Lowery’s signature, acclaimed comic style with bright and energetic artwork, fresh framing devices, and hilarious jokes. This is the go-to book for shark enthusiasts that kids will put in their backpacks and obsess over, bridging the gap between encyclopedic nonfiction content and lighter picture book fare, filling the need with a one-stop shop for the legions of 7-10 year olds who want to know absolutely everything there is to know about underwater creatures. Discover the must-have book for shark fanatics, a madcap field guide full of facts and humor, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about underwater creatures!”

• Pages: 128
• Reading Interest Age: 7-10 years
• Grade Level: 3-6
• Guided Reading Level: S
• Lexile Measure: 860L
• DRA Level: 40-50

8. I Am the Shark by Joan Holub, illustrated by Laurie Keller (2021)

From Amazon: “Hi! I am Great White Shark, and if you get this book, you’ll read all about ME–the greatest shark in the sea! Not so fast! Greenland Shark here, and as the oldest shark in this book, that makes me the greatest. Did someone say fast? I’m Mako Shark, and I’m the fastest shark in this book! Eat my bubbles! Wow, I’m Hammerhead Shark. You don’t need my special eyes to see that there are lots of great sharks in this book. Sink your teeth into it now! New York Times bestselling author Joan Holub makes a splash with bestselling illustrator Laurie Keller to deliver an entertaining undersea story filled with the greatest shark facts in the ocean!”

• Pages: 48
• Reading Interest Age: 4-8 years
• Lexile Level: AD620L
• ATOS Reading Level: 3.1

9. Chomp: A Shark Romp by Michael Paul (2019)

From Amazon: “Dive in to the depths of the ocean to discover different species of sharks in this nonfiction picture book with simple text and illustrations. Many different kinds of sharks are swimming below the ocean’s surface. Some sharks are gentle, and some sharks are fierce. Some are awake in the day, and some are awake at night. Some eat almost anything, and some are very picky. You may not be able to visit their watery world, but you can always visit them up close at the aquarium. Simple text and bold illustrations take young explorers on a deep dive through the ocean full of sharks.”

• Pages: 40
• Reading Interest Age: 2-5 years
• Guided Reading Level: I
• Lexile Level: 310L

10. Sharkabet: A Sea of Sharks from A to Z by Ray Troll (2002)

From Amazon: “It’s Jaws all over again in this thrilling, chilling alphabet book for kids. Sharks, both living and extinct, lurk throughout its pages so kids can learn amazing facts about these dangerous and bizarre animals from the deep. Featuring Ray Troll’s spectacular fishy art, Sharkabet takes you through the ABCs of different shark varieties. The colorful, eye-popping images are accompanied by the catchy factoids, making this book a swimmingly good read.”

• Pages: 40
• Reading Interest Age: 7–9 years 
• Grade Level: 2-4
• Lexile Level: 940L

11. Sharks: And Other Dangers of the Deep by Roger Priddy (2005)

From Amazon: “Roger Priddy’s Sharks and Other Dangers of the Deep is part of the Smart Kids series of books featuring fun activities and interactive elements. Take an underwater journey of discovery into the amazing, dangerous world of sharks. With fantastic facts and incredible photographs, this book gives you a close-up look at the biggest, the fastest and the deadliest creatures in the sea. * Incredible close-up photos of sharks and other ocean life. * Large format book shows creatures on a big scale. * Fascinating facts, amazing records and trivia. * Ideal for homework and school projects.”

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 4–7 years 
• Grade Level: 2-3

12. Slickety Quick: Poems About Sharks by Skila Brown, illustrated by Bob Kolar (2016)

From Amazon: “Fourteen shark species, from the utterly terrifying to the surprisingly docile, glide through the pages of this vibrantly illustrated, poetic picture book. From the enormous whale shark to the legendary great white to the enigmatic goblin shark to the small cookie-cutter shark, Slickety Quick is a delightful frenzy of shark mayhem. Mysterious species such as the camouflaged wobbegong and the elusive frilled shark share the waters with better-known blue and nurse sharks, each commemorated in a poem by Skila Brown and illustrated by Bob Kolar. Sneaky shark facts ripple through each spread to further inform the brave and curious young reader intrigued by the power — and danger — of these amazing creatures.”

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 6–9 years
• Grade Level: 1-5

13. Ocean Animals for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Whales, Sharks, and Other Marine Life by Bethanie and Josh Hestermann (2021)

From Amazon: “The oceans are full of creatures that are beautiful and strange. Whether you’re a fan of sharks, snakes, penguins, or polar bears, Ocean Animals for Kids is full of fascinating critters to meet! Get ready to learn all about the mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and invertebrates that call the ocean home. Dive deeper than other ocean books for kids with: • Animal profiles—Take a look at dozens of marine species, from sea spiders to sponges, and find out where they live, what they eat, and more! • An intro to marine science—This standout among ocean books for kids investigates currents, tides, climate, and what’s hiding in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. • Fun facts—Jump into the best in ocean books for kids and find out which sea-dwellers can open jars, who has pink poop, and what happens when marine iguanas sneeze! See what’s happening underwater with this exciting entry into ocean books for kids.”

• Pages: 76
• Reading Interest Age: 5-9 years
• Grade Level: 2-3
• Lexile Level: 940L

14. Children’s Encyclopedia of Sharks (Arcturus Children’s Reference Library) by Claudia Martin (2022)

From Amazon: “Dive into the extraordinary underwater domain of sharks with this comprehensive visual encyclopedia, packed with fascinating facts and eye-catching underwater photography. This definitive guide to the world’s most ferocious underwater predators delves into every aspect of their lives-their wide-ranging habitats, fascinating behaviors, powerful senses, and interactions with other species. Based on the latest research by marine biologists, it’s the ultimate book of facts and statistics about these amazing apex predators. Accessible, entertaining, and authoritative, this title supports school learning and is ideal for children aged 8+.”

• Pages: 128
• Reading Age: 8-12 years
• Grade Level: 4-6

Fiction Books

15. Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Scott Magoon (2018)

From Amazon: “Every beachgoer knows that there’s nothing more terrifying than a… SHARRRK! But this shark is just misunderstood, or is he? In a wholly original, sidesplittingly funny story, New York Times bestselling author Ame Dyckman and illustrator Scott Magoon take this perennial theme and turn it on its (hammer)head with a brand-new cheeky character. The filming of an underwater TV show goes awry when the crew gets interrupted by a… SHARRRK! Poor Shark, he wasn’t trying to scare them, he’s just misunderstood! Then he’s accused of trying to eat a fish. Will Shark ever catch a break? After all, he wasn’t going to eat the fish, he was just showing it his new tooth! Or was he? Explosively funny, extraordinarily clever, and even full of fun shark facts, this surprisingly endearing story gets to the heart of what it feels like to be misunderstood by the people around you. With a surprise twist ending, our Misunderstood Shark will have kids rolling with laughter!”

• Pages: 48
• Reading Interest Age: 3–5 years
• Grade Level: PreK-1
• Lexile Level: 480L
• ATOS Level: 2

16. Nugget & Fang: Friends Forever–or Snack Time? by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Michael Slack (2015)

From Amazon: “In the deep ocean, tiny Nugget and big, toothy Fang get along swimmingly–until Nugget’s first day of minnow school. There Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget’s trust, Fang takes desperate (and hilarious) measures. But it’s not until his big sharp teeth save the entire school that minnows learn this shark is no foe. Fantastically stylized artwork adds even more humor to this undersea story of unlikely friendship.”

• Pages: 40
• Reading Interest Age: 4–7 years
• Guided Reading Level: K
• Lexile Level: 480L 
• ATOS Reading Level: 2.3

17 .The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna (2019)

From Amazon: “Mr. Fish and all his friends Love to play down at the park. But that ends when they’re bullied By a misbehaving shark! Mr. Fish wants to help. He knows bullying is wrong! But he’s just one fish― Is he really that strong? In this board book conversion of the jacketed hardcover, the New York Times–bestselling Pout-Pout Fish teaches a bully shark about kindness and being a friend. Swim along as he discovers the strength of his community, and the power of his own voice.”

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 4-8 years
• Grade Level: K-3
• Guided Reading Level: L
• Lexile Level: 550L
• DRA Level: 20-24
• ACR Level: 2.9

18. Stink and the Shark Sleepover by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (2015)

From Amazon: “Shark-tastic! Stink gets to sleep with the fishes after his parents win an aquarium sleepover. When Stink and his friends get to sleep over at the aquarium, it’s a science freak’s dream come true. Stink loves the sea-creature scavenger hunt, the jellyfish light show, and the sand tiger sharks with razor-sharp teeth. But after some spooky stories around the virtual campfire, can he manage to fall asleep thinking about Bloody Mary, the mutant Frankensquid that’s supposed to be on the prowl?”

• Pages: 176
• Reading Interest Age: 7-9 years
• Grade Level: 2-4
• Guided Reading Level: M
• Lexile Level: 550L
• DRA Level: 20-24
• ACR Level: 3.6

19. Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Sharks by Katie and Kevin Tsang, illustrated by Nathan Reed (2018)

From Amazon: “After the ghosts . . . come the sharks! Sam Wu is not afraid of sharks. Except . . . he is. Can Sam conquer his fear before he misses out on his friends’ beach party fun? On a class trip to the aquarium, certified ghost hunter Sam Wu encounters something even scarier than ghosts: Crazy Charlie, a giant shark, who TOTALLY tries to eat him. Sam has no intentions of taking any more chances with these people-eating creatures. But then his classmates Regina and Ralph announce they’re having a birthday bash . . . on the BEACH! Can Sam overcome his terror of becoming shark bait? This second book in the Sam Wu series is a funny, touching, and charming story of finding your courage when the moment comes—because bravery is something you have to prove again and again.”

• Pages: 224
• Reading Interest Age: 7-9 years
• Grade Level: 2-4
• Guided Reading Level: O
• Lexile Level: 480L
• DRA Level: 34-38

20. Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Guy Francis (2013)

From Amazon: “Clark is a shark with zing, bang, and BOOM. Clark zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life and always means well—but when his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, Clark’s teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out a way to tone it down. Clark the Shark is a great read-aloud picture book, with fun rhythm and rhyme, from the ever-popular Bruce Hale and Guy Francis. Kids love the energy and humor and ask for repeated readings. At the same time, they get the background message about how to work on impulse control.”

• Pages: 32
• Reading Interest Age: 4–8 years
• Grade Level: 2-3
• Lexile Level: 500L
• ATOS: 2.7

Head over to my post Celebrating Shark Week for more information about how we honor these unique creatures during the summer every year.

Don’t miss out on new content!

Join my email list to be notified when new content is added.