Are your kids fascinated by the ocean’s mysterious hunters? Do their eyes widen at seeing a fin slicing through the waves?
If so, these shark books for kids are perfect! Sharks are truly awe-inspiring creatures, and their sleek forms and incredible senses capture the imaginations of both young and old.
Whether they’re looking for a silly story about a friendly shark or a fact-filled adventure packed with incredible information, we have something to make a splash!
Ready to explore the underwater world with your little shark enthusiast? Check out our list of 21 fin-tastic books for kids of all ages below!
Books About Sharks For Kids
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21 Shark Books for Kids
A 9-year-old girl named Eugenie Clark visits the Battery Park Aquarium in New York City, and BAM! She falls head over heels for sharks. Back then, sharks were seen as mindless killing machines. But Eugenie knew better and was determined to prove it. Despite facing obstacles, she never let anything stop her from studying her beloved sharks.
Through her accomplishments, Eugenie taught the world two important lessons: sharks are to be admired, not feared, and women can do anything.
Need more shark activities? Try out these shark activity pages for kids.
Ever wondered why sharks have so many teeth but no bones? Or how their tough skin helps them swim fast and stay clean? This book explains how the pores along the sides of their bodies help them sense prey.
This book is perfect for young readers who love learning and science and is part of the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series. It’s a great way to introduce children to non-fiction topics from the real world.
This Old Mermaid goes on an underwater adventure, swallowing many sea creatures. First, she swallows a shark. Then, she gulps down a squid, a fish, an eel, a crab, a sea star, and even a clam. You might be wondering why she did all that. It was just for fun, especially cramming her mouth with a clam!
The story is filled with awesome facts about these sea creatures, making it a light and enjoyable take on nonfiction. It also includes a search-and-find game at the end, which is super engaging. It’s a great read for kids, combining humor, adventure, and learning all in one.
This mermaid paper craft and shark tissue paper craft are a great companion activity!
The story revolves around the Great White Shark, who believes he’s the greatest shark in the sea. But wait, there’s more! Other sharks, such as the Greenland Shark, Mako Shark, and Hammerhead Shark, all have their own reasons to claim the title. But what makes the Great White Shark “great”?
Laurie Keller beautifully illustrated the book, filled with humor and the greatest shark facts in the ocean. It’s a fantastic read for kids aged 4-8, encouraging self-acceptance and self-esteem.
One day, Stella sets her sights on a particular treasure—the 'Rose of the Sea.' To find this elusive gem, she enlists the help of an orca and an octopus. Their adventure leads them to an old shipwreck, where they discover a trove of jewels.
Now, here’s the real question: will Stella keep all these treasures for herself, or will she learn the joy of sharing?
Written in lyrical rhyme, this heart-warming picture book will be cherished by children, ocean lovers, teachers, and parents alike. It’s a beautiful story that combines adventure, friendship, and valuable life lessons.
Kids will have a blast creating this paper plate shark craft to go along with the book!
This fun and engaging book is about two sharks who are complete opposites. Big Shark has big teeth, swims fast, and is always on the move. On the other hand, Little Shark has little teeth, swims slowly, and takes his time. But guess what? They both have one thing in common—they’re always hungry! Will they each succeed in finding a snack?
This book is a Step 1 Reader, which means it’s perfect for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. The rhyme, rhythmic text, and picture clues help children decode the story. It’s a great way to introduce kids to the concept of opposites while keeping them engaged with a fun story.
Clark is not an ordinary shark. He’s got zing, bang, and BOOM! He’s the kind of shark who zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life, and his enthusiasm is infectious. But sometimes, it can be a bit too much for his friends.
This is a fantastic read-aloud picture book with a fun rhythm and rhyme. It’s not just about a shark’s adventures but also teaches children about balancing enthusiasm and knowing when it’s time for indoor voices.
And, when you're done with the book, have the kids make this cute Clark the Shark craft!
The story revolves around a little girl who is the biggest shark superfan. She’s so into sharks that when she overhears her parents mention the word “shark” while discussing her birthday, she’s convinced she’s getting a pet shark! Can you imagine having a shark as a pet?
This book is a humorous take on animal conservation and a great read for animal lovers. It’s a reminder that we can all play a part in protecting the creatures we love.
First off, sharks are SO COOL! They have super senses; they leap out of the water and swallow prey in a single gulp. But that’s not all. Sharks are among the world’s top predators, but that’s one reason they are so cool!
This book is perfect for young readers and animal enthusiasts. It’s the perfect little reader to buzz your brain and keep you laughing during downtime, bedtime, or anytime.
The story revolves around a tired shark named Frank. He’s noticed his friends disappearing and is determined to find out why. Frank discovers that environmental changes, overfishing, and pollution are causing his friends to vanish.
This is the sixth book in the “Save the Earth” series. It’s a heartwarming tale about friendship, love, and the importance of protecting our environment.
Have the kids try out this easy shark painting after they finish this book.
A little boy named Bobby is absolutely obsessed with sharks. The only gift he dreams of for his birthday is a pet shark. You can imagine his surprise and disappointment when his parents present him with… a puppy! Bobby is convinced that a shark lover like him could never become a dog lover.
Ben Mantle wonderfully illustrated the book, adding depth and emotion to the story. It’s a great read for children and adults and offers a fun way to learn about acceptance and love.
Walter, the adorable whale shark, is excited about his first day of school. But, a surprise awaits him in the first class picture of the year. Walter realizes there’s one BIG difference between him and his shark classmates. This discovery sends him on a journey, trying anything he can think of to blend in with the other sharks.
This book beautifully illustrates the under-the-sea setting and promotes self-love and acceptance. It’s a must-read for children aged 4 to 8.
Big Shark has big teeth and swims fast, while Little Shark has little teeth and swims slow. But don’t be fooled; they both have one thing in common. They are super hungry! Will they each find a tasty snack? Or will Little Shark end up as fast food for Big Shark?
This book is entertaining and teaches a great social-emotional lesson about apologizing and inclusion in a funny way. It’s perfect for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.
Dive into a sea of creativity with your little ones by pairing your favorite shark tales with this fin-tastic shark handprint craft.
This delightful tale is far away in the deep rolling ocean, where Smiley Shark lives. Smiley Shark loves to dip and dive, jiggle and jive, dart, and dash with a splash with all the other fish. But there’s a little problem—they swim away whenever he smiles at them! A shark with a smile so big, it scares away his friends!
This a heartwarming story about friendship and bravery, showing us that sometimes, what makes us different can also be our greatest strength.
In this story, Mama Fish tells her three little fish, Jim, Tim, and Kim, that it’s time to make their own homes. Jim, the first little fish, builds his house out of seaweed. But oh no! The big bad shark comes along and munches it up.
This book is a hit with kids who love the colorful illustrations and the suspenseful yet humorous storyline. It’s a great read-aloud book that offers a fun way to teach about wise choices and sticking together.
Get ready for an exciting adventure through the ocean with these shark connect the dot printables that promise waves of fun and learning!
This hilarious and heartwarming tale takes us under the sea, where an underwater TV show is filmed. But wait, a shark interrupts the filming! This shark claims he’s not the villain here. He’s just misunderstood!
This is a fantastic read that’s both explosively funny and packed with fun shark facts. It’s a story that gets to the heart of what it feels like to be misunderstood.
In this book, your kids find out what’s above the water and what’s under the water. It’s a fun and engaging way to introduce the concept of opposites to kids aged 2 to 5. The illustrations are done in the quirky and lovable Funko POP! art style, which adds a unique twist to the classic film.
Whether they are classic film fans or love a good children’s book, this light-hearted reimagining will be a hit. It’s part of the Little Golden Book series, known for its beloved classics, hot licenses, and new original stories. So, it’s not just a book, it’s a collectable!
A little boy named Nate is obsessed with sharks. He reads about them, watches them on TV, and even pretends to be a shark. But there’s one little problem: Nate can’t swim.
This heartwarming tale is about a dreamer who refuses to let go of his dream despite the greatest of challenges. It’s a wonderful story about hard work, perseverance, and the power of believing in oneself.
In this tale, Mr. Fish and his buddies are having a whale of a time at the park. But, oh no! Their fun is interrupted by a mean shark who bullies them off the swings. Mr. Fish, being the kind-hearted soul he is, wants to help. He knows bullying is wrong but wonders if he’s strong enough to stand up to the bully shark.
This book is a wonderful reminder of the power of community and the importance of standing up against bullying. It’s a must-read for little ones learning about kindness and friendship.
After diving into this cute shark book, keep the ocean theme going with these shark color by number printables.
“Shark in the Dark” is a rhyming tale that takes your kid to the ocean's depths where a big, mean, greedy shark lives. This shark loves to torment the little fishes. But one day, a clever squid hatches a plan. The squid unites all the little fishes to teach the shark a lesson he’ll never forget.
This story is not only tremendously funny but also has a biting twist. It’s a great read for children, filled with suspense and humor, and beautifully illustrates unity's power.
This book is packed with engaging information on every page. It dives deep into the fascinating details about our favorite sharks, from the gigantic whale sharks to the tiny mini sharks. It even includes information about prehistoric sharks and their relationships with other animals.
The book also explores careers that involve helping sharks, inspiring kids to dream big, and maybe even considering a future in marine biology.
Which book from this list have your children been reading on repeat? Let us know in the comments!
Related Posts:
- 15 Best Fish Books For Preschoolers
- 13 Best Kids Books About Ocean Animals
- 11 Best Beach Books for Preschoolers
Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.