Flynn, Sarah Wassner. 1,000 Facts About Sharks. National Geographic, 06/2024. 96pp. Nonfiction. Trade $14.99. 978-1-4263-7174-5. PLB $24.99. 978-1-4263-7175-2. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Shark enthusiasts will find much to love about this factoid-filled shark book. National Geographic Kids squeezes a thousand facts into just eighty pages, providing lots of well-organized information in a fairly small package. Double page spreads contain between ten and seventy-five numbered facts, arranged thematically, interspersed with various sizes of photographs and often set aside in their own text bubbles. The dizzying array of facts, written as short sentences, move from one to the next as they present and explain the many types of sharks—usually adding to the previous fact with another which enhances the specific subject. The whole shark world is presented via similarities and differences between dozens of specific shark species, what and how humans are learning about these misunderstood creatures, and a few pages that explore sharks in the human world (products, TV shows, and myths). Back matter includes a detailed glossary and index, plus pages on shark taxonomy and anatomical diagrams. With so many more details and facts than most shark books, this title is great for those who enjoy taking time to pore over facts and reflect on them.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library