But sharks are central for the health of our marine ecosystem and are becoming endangered through human behaviours and climatic change.
Included also are references to Dreaming stories and how sharks represent totems and ancestors and are symbols of bravery and fearlessness within their culture. It is amazing to realise that sharks have outlived dinosaurs!
The book concludes with a call to action to work to improve our environment by reducing overfishing and pollution in our waterways, as well as avoiding purchasing shark products.
As part of a series published by Wild Dogs, the use of ‘up close’ is clearly designed to immediately engage the reader and inspire curiosity into the animal it is portraying. The facts given are very brief and, at times, contain very specific terms that are often highlighted in bold type and can be located in the easy reference glossary at the back.
Sharks Up Close provides a balance between the non-fiction text and visually rich photographs to stimulate interest in these much maligned animals and highlights the role they play in ocean life.
The book has snapshots of information about types and features of sharks, their life cycle, where they fit in the ocean food chain and the environmental challenges they face in our world today.
Included also are references to Dreaming stories and how sharks represent totems and ancestors and are symbols of bravery and fearlessness within their culture. It is amazing to realise that sharks have outlived dinosaurs!
The book concludes with a call to action to work to improve our environment by reducing overfishing and pollution in our waterways, as well as avoiding purchasing shark products.
As part of a series published by Wild Dogs, the use of ‘up close’ is clearly designed to immediately engage the reader and inspire curiosity into the animal it is portraying. The facts given are very brief and, at times, contain very specific terms that are often highlighted in bold type and can be located in the easy reference glossary at the back.
It is easy to see this 30 page book, with limited text and captivating pictures, being attractive to the junior reader. The dark background on many of the pages, especially the endpapers, adds to the tensions often felt when sharks are represented in books and films. The below-water images also add to the mystery of these silent predators which will attract the inquisitive child.
As a teacher librarian, this type of book would also be well suited to upper primary students, due to the inclusion of the sophisticated language in it. Often I encouraged students to go to the junior non fiction section to start their research into specific topics and this book would be ideal. It will not answer all their questions nor overload them with facts, but will definitely provide older students with a springboard to more in-depth investigations into the life of sharks.
Other titles in this series (with teacher notes available) include :-
Crocodiles Up Close
Butterflies Up Close
Other titles in this series (with teacher notes available) include :-
Crocodiles Up Close
Butterflies Up Close
Title: Sharks Up Close
Author: Aidan Green
Publisher: Wild Dog, $24.99
Publication Date: April 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742037264
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction
