Santa Shark

August 28, 2023
“Jingle shells, jingle shells, jingle all the waaaves!” A shark named Edgar and crab bestie Lotta prep for Santa Shark’s arrival in this goofy comic whose underwater setting proves ready made for abundant punning. First, Edgar educates Lotta, describing the would-be visitor as residing “at the North Pole in Finland,” where he builds toys with “eelves” and delivers gifts with a sleigh led by “magical seahorses.” Though Lotta seems skeptical, the duo proceed, writing “Christmas cods,” singing “corals,” and hanging a starfish atop a kelp-stalk tree, all loosely inked in Lowery’s characteristic style. When Edgar worries that a lack of snow will keep Santa Shark from visiting, Lotta imaginatively saves the day with help from some aquatic friends, making for a winning conclusion that emphasizes camaraderie as the key component of a happy holiday. Ages 3–6.

September 1, 2023

K-Gr 3-It's the most wonderful time of the year, and Edgar the shark cannot wait! As he prepares for a "verrrry special guest," Edgar's best friend, Lotta the crab, speculates who it could be. After several failed guesses, Edgar reveals that it is, of course, Santa Shark. He proceeds to tell his pal all about the Christmas traditions in conjunction with this legendary holiday figure of the ocean: Santa Shark builds toys with the "eelves" and his sleigh is pulled by "magical seahorses," to name a few. However, a skeptical Lotta is far from convinced. Edgar decides to show her the Christmas spirit and joys of the holiday season, including baking cookies, hanging decorations, and mailing cards to loved ones. As their preparation concludes, they are still missing a key ingredient to making sure Santa Shark visits: snow! Lotta hatches a plan to make sure Edgar has the best Christmas ever as this sweet story of friendship and holiday cheer concludes. With bright colors, speech bubbles, dialogue balloons, and basic panels to break up text, this is a fun introduction to graphic novels for younger readers, and adults will also enjoy the various puns comically sprinkled throughout. VERDICT Appealing to primary readers across several grade ranges, especially if they are shark lovers.-Kerra Mazzariello

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Santa Shark is swimming to town! Edgar the shark is tingling with excitement. It's late December, and he's preparing for Santa Shark's arrival. His bestie, Lotta Crab, hasn't heard of Santa Shark but quickly gets caught up in Edgar's fervor as he explains--and loudly sings about--what the preparations entail in an uproarious account brimming with sly marine-themed puns, from "Jingle shells" to "We fish you a Merry Christmas." Some clever puns may sail over kids' heads (the "Christmas cods" include messages like "Let minnow if you have a good Christmas" and "carp-e diem"). Apart from the zingy text, there's plenty to capture young readers' attention. Dynamic illustrations highlight the protagonists' expressiveness and lively participation in a variety of activities; some images are set as captioned panels within larger illustrations. The eye-popping text is literally all over the place, graphic novel-style. Fonts are in various sizes and colors and are capitalized throughout. Kids will giggle at the sight of the white-bearded, bushy-browed Santa Shark, who rides a sleigh pulled by seahorses. Bug-eyed, snaggle-toothed Edgar, sporting a sweater festooned with snowflakes, is a hilarious hoot, and bright-red, antennae-eyed Lotta is a loyal charmer who creates a wondrous surprise for Edgar that brings their undersea observance to a perfect close. An ocean of delights awaits readers in this sea-lebration. Kids will fin-ish quickly and clam-or for more. (Picture book. 5-9)

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November 1, 2023
Shark! the herald angels sing. Santa Shark (who builds toys with his "eelves" and has a sleigh pulled by magical seahorses) is coming, and shark Edgar intends to be prepared. He's full of ideas (making "Christmas cods," singing "Christmas corals") until the question of how to make it snow underwater leaves him at sea -- but a crab friend provides a creative solution. Let the many, many puns wash over you in this sea-set Santa story with buoyantly cartoony illustrations to match. "Jingle all the waaaves!" Shoshana Flax

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)