• Age: 0 to 2
• Grade: p to 12
• Reading age: 0 to 2

Key Selling Points

• Introduces readers to different species of sharks around the world, each with its one key attribute.
• Little ones learn what the different species look like through full-color photographs.
• Told in rhyme, this board book is geared to bedtime reading. It concludes by showing that sharks sleep and dream just like we do.
• Mark Leiren-Young is a passionate advocate for sharks. He interviewed legendary filmmaker and shark defender Rob Stewart about why he fought for their protection, and Mark helped promote Rob’s third documentary film about sharks. Since Rob's death, Mark has continued to spread his message about protecting sharks and oceans.
• Mark is an award-winning author of a number of books for young readers about his favorite subjects: sharks and orcas.
• Selected by BC Books for the 2023/24 Poetry in Transit Program.

Mark Leiren-Young is a writer, documentary filmmaker, playwright, podcaster and orca activist. His book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World won the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada general audience book award. He wrote, directed and produced an award-winning documentary The Hundred-Year-Old Whale, and his documentary about Moby Doll is being produced by Middle Child Films. Mark hosts Skaana, a podcast about orca and ocean stories and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern residents. Mark has written for other young audiences for ABC, PBS, YTV, Treehouse and BBC Kids. His books for young readers include Big Whale, Small World, Orcas of the Salish Sea and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize winner, Orcas Everywhere. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

“Mark Leiren-Young is the kind of author who produces trustworthy works of nonfiction that will both entertain and educate children.”–CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Mark Leiren-Young's profile page

“Fact-filled…Stunning information is sure to entertain and fascinate young readers, engaging the attention, curiosity, and imagination.”

Children's Literature

“So compelling that even non-shark lovers will find themselves gazing at the well-composed and vivid photos. This will be a book that will be requested often!...A good choice for a library needing nonfiction books for the young.”

School Library Journal

“Very engaging…Short but very deserving to be added to the family or library bookshelf. Leiren-Young starts toddler readers on the path of respecting and admiring the sharks who inhabit the world’s oceans. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“A welcome primer on the wonderful world of sharks that will have small swimmers fascinated by these fish rather than fearful of them.”

Hakai Magazine