Books about sharks for kids

If you love a good beach day, it’s time to get in the water and enjoy learning about some of the ocean’s most fearsome predators with this book list.

After diving into these books, your kids will be shark experts and might just be inspired to learn about more of these mysterious creatures that live in the deep.

Here are 15 fin-credible books about sharks that your children will be excited to sink their teeth into!

Note: For more resources related to ocean animals, please see my ocean unit study page.

Sharkabet by Ray Troll

For preschoolers still learning the ABC’s, this book combines the alphabet with different species of sharks. Each page features a letter along with a picture, name, and some information about a specific kind of shark. Ages 3-5.

Smiley Shark by Ruth Galloway

Deep in the blue waters of the ocean lived a very happy shark. Whenever he felt especially happy, he smiled wide, revealing all of his pearly whites to the rest of the underwater world. One day, Shark tries to make some new friends, but runs into quite the roadblock when his friendly smile seems to send everyone swimming away! How will he ever find a playmate? Ages 3-6.

Mad About Sharks by Deborah Jane Murrell

All about shark fins, shark teeth, shark babies, and much more! This book has everything for the young reader that’s mad about these amazing creatures of the deep! This book also has a link to a bonus poster for the biggest shark fans. Ages 3-6.

I’m a Shark by Bob Shea

Shark is big, tough, and super-scary with his massive teeth and lightning-fast swim speeds. He’s not scared of a single thing. Well, nothing except…is that a spider?!?! Ages 3-6.

Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies

Lots of people would be scared out of their wits if they encountered a shark swimming next to them in the water. But are sharks really the dangerous, man-eating killers they’ve been made out to be? The truth is actually quite surprising! Sharks come in many colors, shapes, sizes, and personalities that are endlessly unique, and we don’t have to live in fear of them. Ages 3-7.

How to Spy on a Shark by Lori Haskins Hourin

Each day, marine biologists “spy” on sharks by tracking them as they move about the ocean using robots specially designed for the task. This book gives readers an inside look at this undercover operation. Join scientists as they head out on a boat to check up on some mako sharks! Ages 3-7.

If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams

In this installment of the series If Animals Disappeared, readers will learn just how drastically the earth would change if sharks were gone for good. Due to overfishing of many species of sharks, this might soon become a frightening reality. Today, many people around the world enjoy shark fin soup as a delicacy, and because of this, sharks are disappearing from the ocean at a rapid rate. If sharks were no longer part of the ocean’s ecosystem, this book shows us, it would be bad news for animals and humans alike. This book also describes ways we can all participate in keeping the oceans as healthy as possible. Ages 4-7.

Sharks by Gail Gibbons

This book is your one-stop-shop for all things sharks! From the largest (whale sharks) to the smallest (dwarf sharks), sharks are fascinating creatures that are often very misunderstood. This book will help young readers understand these marvelous creatures and develop a deeper appreciation for them. Ages 5-9.

Fly Guy Presents Sharks by Tedd Arnold

Fun-loving and hilarious Fly Guy is back – this time with all you ever wanted to know about sharks! Humorous facts, shark jokes, and full-color photographs will engage readers, helping kids of all ages get excited to learn about these mysterious creatures of the deep! Ages 5-9.

Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman

An underwater TV show is put on pause when crew members spot a shark in the water. Yikes! But poor shark, he’s just feeling friendly and has no plans to sabotage the show. And he certainly doesn’t plan to eat that fish, he just wants to show the fish the fancy new tooth he’s got in his mouth. The adventures of this misunderstood shark will have you swimming with laughter. Ages 5-9.

How to Survive As a Shark by Kristen Foote

Think you’ve got the know-how to survive in the ocean waters as a shark? Might want to think again. Good thing we’ve got a shark in this book who can show us the way! How do sharks use all six (yes, six!) senses to hunt for prey? Why can’t sharks ever stop moving, even to take a nap? And what’s the number one predator a shark has to avoid? Get all your shark survival tips right here. Ages 5-10.

Shark Lady by Jess Keating

When Eugenie Clark was just a little girl, she saw a shark at an aquarium and was instantly hooked. She wanted to learn everything there was to know about these amazing creatures, but quickly realized that most people found sharks to be terrifying and ugly. People also told her that women should stay out of science. Eugenie decided to prove them wrong on both points, and grew up to be a student of the amazing animals she loved so much. Her discoveries and advocacy earned her the name “Shark Lady.” Ages 7-10.

Smart About Sharks by Owen Davey

In this nonfiction book, readers are greeted with colorful, detailed pages that teach everything there is to know about some of the ocean’s most interesting and most misunderstood predators: sharks! Discover the hunting methods, diet, size, social groupings, and much more of eight different members of the shark family. Ages 6-11.

The Great Shark Escape: Magic School Bus by Jennifer Johnston

When Ms. Frizzle’s class heads on a field trip to the aquarium, they soon find themselves working to quickly escape the chomping teeth of a great white shark! Along the way they also learn about shark habitats and diets, as well as information about goblin sharks, angel sharks, whale sharks, and more! Ages 8-11.

Hammerhead vs. Bull Shark: Would Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta

If a hammerhead and a bull shark came face-to-face in the water, who would win? Each page of this thrilling book is filled with facts and figures about these species of shark, allowing the reader to decide who they expect to come out on top. In the end, the two animals begin fighting an epic battle, and there can only be one winner. Ages 8-11.

More resources for learning about ocean animals

More ocean posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Ocean Montessori activities
• Salt water and waves science
• Shell activities
• Blubber experiment
• Ocean animals book & 3-part cards
• Ocean Printables Pack
• Ocean Do-a-Dot Printables
• Ocean I Spy

For more resources, printables and activities related to the ocean and its inhabitants, please see my Ocean Unit Study page and my Oceans Pinterest board.