Sharks Are Our Friends

(Somewhere between the land and sea)

Children - Animals
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 12/28/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Sharks Are Our Friends by Ian Humpheryes is a children's story about fear, dealing with worries, judging others, and friendship. Come along for a thrilling adventure down in a rockpool where you will meet a variety of animals that live in the sea. This location provides refuge for small creatures to hide from the danger posed by predators. One day some animals, including a green crab, a shrimp, and a starfish, see a scary shadow swimming by and get very scared. The shadow can only be one thing: a shark! Terrified, each animal quickly hides but for some, taking refuge comes with other dangers. Soon they discover there is nothing to be scared of after all in this heartfelt story.

Ian Humpheryes introduces these animals in an entertaining tale that helps children learn about the sea and ocean life while also incorporating themes such as fears based on assumptions and being open to expressing one's worries. Fun facts are also included along with delightful rhymes. The characters each react out of fear and immediately hide when they see a spooky shadow. This fear is a prevalent theme with each character quickly reacting but soon learning that jumping to a conclusion was wrong. Not only will the dogfish not harm them but it even helps the starfish when the seagulls want to eat it. Through these characters, children will see that sometimes judgments can be harmful and that it’s good to discuss fears and worries. This story also shows children how to accept one another’s differences and befriend those who aren’t the same as them. It demonstrates how important it is to express what we’re feeling and be emotionally open. Sharks Are Our Friends is a charming story about adorable and relatable sea animals with themes of fear, judgment, and friendship entertainingly and thoughtfully incorporated.