Clark the Shark

by Bruce Hale, Guy Francis

Overview

Clark the Shark is a great read-aloud picture book, with fun rhythm and rhyme, from the ever-popular Bruce Hale and Guy Francis.

Clark is a shark with zing, bang, and BOOM. Clark zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life—but when his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, Clark's teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out a way to tone it down.

Clark the Shark celebrates boisterous enthusiasm—and knowing when it's time for indoor voices!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062192264
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/25/2013
Series:	Clark the Shark Series
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	13,174
Product dimensions:	10.26(w) x 9.86(h) x 0.44(d)
Lexile:	AD420L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Bruce Hale has written and illustrated over thirty books for kids, including Clark the Shark; Clark the Shark Dares to Share; the award-winning Chet Gecko Mystery series; Snoring Beauty, one of Oprah's Recommended Reads for Kids; and the School for S.P.I.E.S. series. In his free time, Bruce enjoys hiking, watching movies, and making music. He lives in Santa Barbara, California, with his wife, dog, and many hats.

Guy Francis spends most of his time drawing, painting, and drawing some more. He has done a variety of illustration work in the children's market, including editorial and educational illustration, chapter books, and picture books. He freelances from his home in Provo, Utah, where his wife and four children are his own personal art critics and bring a healthy bit of chaos to the studio. Every now and then he gets out of the house and heads to the mountains with his family.

Editorial Reviews

Clark’s intentions are good, but his voracious enthusiasm for school (where he’s the only shark pupil among smaller sea creatures) results in some awkward moments. “Munch your own lunch,” says his best friend, Joey Mackerel. “You are playing rough, Clark!” complain the other kids at recess. When Clark’s teacher gives him some advice—“Stay cool”—he turns it into a personal mantra, coming up with rhymes for occasions when good behavior is needed (“When teacher’s talking, don’t go walking”). Francis’s bubbly illustrations of overeager Clark and his friends create a lively undersea environment, and similarly rowdy kids may find Clark’s rhyming technique a useful tool. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Shannon Associates. (July)

Publishers Weekly

Clark's enthusiasm for school, while admirable, is a little too much for his classmates. On its own, Clark's zeal wouldn't be so bad, but he is the largest and strongest student at his school, so his actions are more than a little intimidating to his smaller friends. He goes too fast during games of spinna-ma-jig, eats other kids' lunches and cannot seem to use an indoor voice. Eventually, his classmates stop playing, eating and sitting with him. His teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out what's wrong, but her advice to "stay cool" doesn't sink in--until Clark starts making rhymes to help himself remember. "Only munch your own lunch." "Easy does it, that's the way. Then my friends will let me play." His plan works, and everyone appreciates the new, improved, subdued Clark--especially the large new kid, who needs some help of his own. Francis' watercolor illustrations give Clark a rather goofy and endearing personality that is somewhat offset by the fact that he towers over his classmates. He manages to convey the emotions of the fish mainly with eye and mouth positions, and their nervousness around Clark is obvious. Most especially, enthusiastic kids will appreciate the message that there is a time and a place for everything--they needn't stay cool 'round the clock. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—Clark loves everything about his life at Theodore Roosterfish Elementary, but his supersize enthusiasm is hard for the other fish to handle. Besides being the biggest and strongest, he is also too loud during reading time, too hungry during lunch, and too rough during recess. Even his best friend, Joey Mackerel, says, "Cool your jets, Clark! You're making me crazy!" When no one wants to sit with him, eat with him, or play with him, he goes to his teacher for help. Mrs. Inkydink reminds him that the rule is to stay cool, which rhymes. By turning rules into rhymes, Clark tones down his behavior just in time to help Sid the Squid, an oversize new student with some of the same problems. This undersea school in the hulk of a sunken ship features an assortment of sea creatures learning important lessons from their octopus teacher. Clark is never a bully, just a big kid with boisterous behavior issues, which is an important distinction in these bully-conscious times. The full-color artwork in a cartoon style is pleasant and fun.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

School Library Journal