An "Under the Sea" Children's Book Series
When I sent out an offer to write a review of my friend’s
book I don’t think this is what he had in mind.
As a matter of fact I’m sure it isn’t.
I could have written a glowing report with mushy stuff to make you fall
in love with the Sharky Marky series, but you’ll do that anyway ... he’s cool! That’s why it won an award. So I thought, why regurgitate what others are
saying?
After looking at tons of reviews, articles and information
on Sharky, I wanted my critique to be different from the others as this book merited,
bringing it to another platform – the classroom.
Therefore, my take on the series isn’t cookie cutter
clean. I want to light a fire under all my
author friend(s) for stepping into areas beyond thoughts, and into the bigger
plan of God while we run our own race here on earth.
“For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My
ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9
NKJV)
‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says
the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a (good) future and a
hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
With that in mind here it is Lance, prickly pears and
sugar cubes, but no sour grapes!
Favored Review:
Sharky Marky and the Big Race
I’m not a stranger when it comes to loving children’s
books. You might think that sounds funny
coming from a person who doesn’t have any children, but my infatuation actually
began in college.
Part of my required curriculum in the educational track
was to take courses in Children’s Literature.
Let me share this, they were some of the best classes I took throughout all
my years of higher learning training, so my review is primarily geared toward
an instructional tool for the classroom. Please note this when reading the
following.
While taking Children’s Lit I had to read, review and
write children’s materials for the classroom.
It was in these courses that I learned about the prestigious awards for
outstanding books targeted toward the little ones. Caldecott Medal, Newberry Medal, Michael L.
Printz Award, Children’s Choice Award, Edgar Award, Golden Kite Award and many
more were among the categories I researched.
Why am I mentioning awards? Sharky Marky books are among those that I
believe will make many awards lists one day as being favorites for the
classroom and among young readers. My
review is an honest one, and although the author didn’t write the series for
the classroom I don’t want it to be overlooked for future consideration.
Teacher to Teacher
Even though I haven’t written materials along the fiction line, I’ve
been writing children’s stories since I was a teenager and keep an eye out for
“special” books that are set apart or different from the ordinary story. The
visual aspect of teaching children is so important especially in reading, and
the more things we can match up to each experience the better retention of the
lesson.
As a teacher of the handicapped (and visually impaired) I
tend to be more critical of children’s books, by looking for certain things
that stand out in various areas where most books don’t. I look at overall layout, placement of
objects or text, color/contrast, size (of text and book), texture and visual
appeal. Sharky Marky books have great
promise in those areas.
In the Sharky Marky and the Big Race story, along with
the rhyming aspect the reader will be introduced to colors, numbers, and sight
words as in the Dolch lists from primary to middle school levels. A tool we are familiar with in teaching
elementary grades and one that we try to match reading materials with
spelling/vocabulary lessons.
The picture book is designed with simple basics as in colors and
objects, where in it doesn’t look cluttered or overwhelming having too much on
the page. This is important because
often times the visuals become more important than the text or lesson trying to
be taught. We are very aware of each
item (creature, car, background, etc.) without the added “details” (such as
headlights on the vehicles) that aren’t needed to convey the storyline.
The page layout is “clean”, meaning the colors even
though bright, are flat allowing the text not to be lost on the page. With the light blue background against the
brown lettering, it is easy to see and read.
This is something important for visually challenged students, and not
what most think of when designing their books.
 |
Notice the large size of the book.
Author signing for parent. |
The size of the book (28 pages at 11W” x 8.6L”) is one
that can be easily used in a share book reading circle, with the illustrations
being large enough for everyone to see in a small group.
Another point that works well when introducing children
to new words is to match the word with the object. In the book when a word is rhymed it is in
line with what the character is doing, thus helping reinforce the scene. Visual and written pairs are very good tools
for brain activity when learning something new.
Making the Book Work
When I first saw this children’s book what jumped out was
the bold plump-like creatures. Smack in
the middle of the uncluttered cover is our fun, loving life character, that isn’t
afraid of taking on challenges. As soon
as you open the book you meet the cast of sea animals that take part in the
big race.
Getting into the race with Sharky Marky is Karl the
killer whale, Horace the sea horse, Stuckey the starfish (one of my favorites)
along with nine other characters.
We
first meet our cast at the gas pump and not long into the story we’re introduced
to the nice and the nasty side of the event.
After all how can there be a moral to the story without a few meanies in
the plot.
Rolling through the story the underwater sea racers
encounter adventure, mystery, fear, challenges and team spirit (which some
don’t take to that well). Along the way
each driver is given an opportunity to be kind, do the right thing, and show
compassion to their competitors.
Like in real life, not all the participants follow the
golden rule. Young readers can gain
wisdom from Sharky Marky in that although obstacles may get in our way along the road, we
can still win if we stay in the race.
Points to Consider for Educational Purposes
I'm about to get a into the nitty gritty of the
book. Contrary to what you may think with me listing the following concerns, I
believe in this series and how it could be used in the classroom. There are some issues to deal with, but I
feel they can be handled correctly by the instructor or parent for home
schooling.
This isn’t a series that should be left on the
shelf as just a fun book about sea creatures.
It can be much more with a bit of creativity on the instructor’s part. I see potential that can be molded and turned
into pre-primers and first books (but I have to convince Lance first) not only
for reading, but for other avenues of education as well.
If you are merely looking for a children’s book to entertain
your child you will love the Sharky Marky line of work. On the other hand, there are a few things to
take into consideration if you want to add this to your classroom reading list
(which I think you should).
1 - Text size: The text size could be a little larger,
which can easily be done in a large print edition.
2 - Numbers: With each page the reader is encouraged to
say a number. It is good to have
engagement or interaction when reading, but I’m not sure if that is what the
author intended or concept the reader would grasp. However, it would be a good
thing to do to during story time, and what fun … it’s already in the script.
To reinforce the number along with the story, large
flashcards could be used which would be a terrific idea anyway. A follow-up listening skills lesson could be
a worksheet that included the numbers and some of the rhyming sight words. Be sure that you use words that don’t rhyme
also.
3 - The Helmet: Sharky is the only one racing with a
helmet. Safety is a biggie when it comes
to our kids, and children aren’t shy in pointing out details. Headgear safety
far outweighs anything else while on the track. Be prepared for them to ask
about the missing helmets on the other race car drivers.
Nascar is bold in their
statement: “A driver’s first line of
defense in preventing head injuries, including concussions is the use of a
helmet.”
Even though our buddies are
underwater, it could be a point of discussion since everything they encounter
with their vehicles also happens above water.
Don’t shy away from this, deal with it in a positive way.
4 - Phrasing. Not all kids will understand some of the phrases like
“fly right by” and may take it literally expecting to see the car fly in the
illustration. Of course this will also
coincide with the ages of the children. As
with any book be sure to ask questions if you feel the child doesn’t understand
a phrase or word meaning.
5 - Vocabulary Usage/Levels. Some of the dialog falls into upper levels of
learning when it comes to the vocabulary; however I’m not as concerned with
that. Every time a book is introduced to a child at the first stages of
learning it will present some type of challenge, so take this into
consideration and go with it. The goal
is to expand their learning, not to keep it stagnant.
6 - Unresolved Issues. What happened to Diego’s car that was left on the
track? Is that a potential accident waiting to happen? On the positive side, this would be a great
time for critical thinking exercises having the children give possible
solutions to the situation or what they thought happened.
7 - Follow-up with Free Resources. The author has been generous in supplying free coloring pages on the Sharky Marky website. Adding to the fun are the many suggestions he has provided on Sharky's Facebook page.
Take a look at the photo section for creative ideas in crafts, recipes, behind the scenes photos, cool sketches by the illustrator, funky costumes and all around clean fun for kids ... and adults!
Now down to the book rating. I have never done a split review before but this book warrants it. Here is how I've come to my decision.
Favored Rating on the Book
Dear Teacher … 4 stars ★★★★
There are some things that we need to consider selecting
this as a classroom or library book, but overall, it’s a winner.
The main point of being an instructor (at any level), is
to encourage learning in many ways using what is available and safe for the
learner. Your students are going to read
this book somewhere, so why not let it be through your classroom?
“Encouragement builds
confidence and is the fuel that keeps us going.”
– Lance Olsen
Dear Parent … 5 stars ★★★★★
Sharky Marky and the Big Race wins again with a five star
mark! The concept is exceptional and
inspired. When have you heard of such an
idea? (Leave Disney out of this …)
If you are looking for colorful, quirky characters,
unusual storylines, fun books with some educational aspects to it, then you
can stop reading here because the Sharky Marky books are all that they set out
to be. The reviews are great and kids
love Sharky! So do I for that matter
(although I haven’t gotten my stuffy yet).
Parents … coming soon my review on Sharky Marky and the
Scavenger Hunt: An Alphabetic Adventure. Even more fun to come with our new sea
friend Sharky!
Maybe there weren’t that many prickly pears after all,
huh Lance?
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another,
Illustrated by Thomas Perry
Ages 3-6+
Look for more Sharky Marky books by Lance Olsen:
Sharky Marky and the Scavenger Hunt: An Alphabetic
Adventure (2015)
Sharky Marky and the Supermarket Sweep (coming in 2017).
Other places to look for award winning children’s books:
Newbery Medal
Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book
NPR Best Book
Kirkus Reviews Best Book
Wall Street Journal Best Book
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Horn Book Best Book
BookPage’s First Must-Read Picture Book”
The Huffington Post Best Overall Picture Book
Boston Globe Best Book
Chicago Public Library Best Book
New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading & Sharing List
Miami Herald Best Children’s
Book
Raleigh News & Observer
Children’s Book
Atlanta Parent Best Book
San Francisco Chronicle Holiday
Gift Guide Pick
Scholastic Instructor 50 Best Summer Book
ALSC Summer Reading List
Horn Book Summer Reading List
Pick
School Library Journal’s Top 10
Latin Books List
Kansas City Star Roundup Pick
Kids' Indie Pick
E.B. White Read Aloud Award
Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Bulletin of
the Center for Children's Books
Publishers
Weekly
School
Library Journal
Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award
Junior Library Guild Selection
Pura Belpré Award
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature “Best Multicultural Books Pick
More picture book reviews:
Go directly to the book: BUY
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I
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information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Gateway Bible.
Image:
Lance Olsen used with permission. No compensation was paid for the review.
Disclaimer
Notes: Review is that of site author Favored1 and may not necessarily be
that of the book author.
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Labels: Book Review, Children’s Books, Educational Toys, Favored Reviews, Favored1, Free Coloring Pages, Indie Authors, Lance Olsen, Ocean Life, Picture Books, Sharky Marky, Teacher Resources, Under the Sea Books on Animals
