Shark Nate-O

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.