Shark Dog!

PreS-Gr 2—Traveling with his explorer dad, a boy discovers a strange creature who is half dog, half shark. Aptly named "Shark Dog," the animal swims underwater just like a typical shark but reverts to his canine instincts when he fetches slippers. Sometimes, Shark Dog's inclinations get him into big trouble, such as the time he grabs a tree trunk when all the other dogs are retrieving sticks. When Shark Dog starts missing others of his kind, he is brought back to Shark Dog Island only to prove that he is still not ready to leave his human buddy for good. The absurd notion of a semi-canine, semi-aquatic pet, complete with long, slobbery tongue and pointy, daggerlike teeth, will delight young readers who love land and sea creatures. Adamson's cheerful, full-color cartoon illustrations expertly depict the contrast, up to the final page, where Shark Dog's friends (fins extended) follow him home with his human companions. Fans of Eric Carle's The Mixed-Up Chameleon will enjoy this rollicking, goofy, wholly unconventional picture book. Young listeners may even pick up on the underlying message about fitting in. The story would also support a comparative unit on the differences between land mammals and ocean creatures.