Dom Conlon (text) and Anastasia Izlesou (illustrator), Swim, Shark, Swim!, CSIRO Publishing, March 2022, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781486316045
With black tips on his fins and the space between stars in his eyes…
Part poem, part story Swim, Shark, Swim! is a scientific dedication to the one of the worlds most feared, but revered ocean dwellers.
Readers join Shark as he navigates the world’s oceans on his journey home, swimming through tunnels of bubbles and light. As well, readers also learn about the many shark species in their vast marine habitats. Themes such as conservation, climate change and biodiversity make this a captivating and educational read for primary school learners.
Anastasia Izleshou’s Illustrations echo the depths of the ocean floor with deep, dark moody hues inviting readers into another world. Once there, the language and text, rich with imagery, is filled with facts about the natural world. Dom Conlon has a magical way with words that fosters a love of science. The pace of the adventure builds perfectly as Shark makes his way through dangerous waters until he is finally home with his fellow blacktip reef sharks in the Great Barrier Reef. The book concludes with an ocean map highlighting Shark’s journey and a set of shark facts about their vital role in our marine ecosystem – an essential addition in the education on climate change.
A free downloadable set of teacher’s notes are comprehensive and covers curriculum areas of Science, English, and Arts.
A beautiful marriage of science and poetry, Swim, Shark, Swim! will speak to readers of all ages and is a wonderful resource for the classroom or bookshelf.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens