Lark the Shark

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I really like this book and its message. It teaches children about self control and manners. I think the illustrations where done really well and I really enjoyed the rhythms that Clark came up with in the book.

This book made me smile as I read it because I can relate Clark to many kids I know. They have good intentions, but it can often be hard for some children to stay on task and do what is expected of them. Clark is a very happy character, and his efforts to do the right thing are uplifting and inspiring. I can relate to this book because I too was scared of the dark when I was young. I always had my night light and was scared to sleep without it. Sometime during the night I would wake up and be scared and even run and jump into bed with my mom and dad. But just like Clark, I eventually overcame my fear. Clark the Shark makes a plan to have his first sleepover outside with friends. However, he is afraid to sleep in the dark. When he honestly accepts his fear and confesses the fact that he is afraid of the dark, his friends agree with him and support each other. 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" by Bruce Hale is about a young shark who LOVES school. He gets so excited in class jumps up and down in his seat, he smells all the good food at lunch and ends up eating it all at once, and he plays so hard at recess that he sometimes breaks toys. After a while, Clark's friends don't want to sit near him, eat lunch with him, or even play with him. When a discouraged Clark asks his teacher what to do, Mrs. Inkydink says that "There's a time and place for everything" and that Clark needs to remember to "Stay cool". Clark eventually figures out different rhymes that help him calm down while at school. At the end of the day, a new student comes to class. This student is even bigger than Clark and plays even harder. Clark plays with the new student as hard as he can and then teaches him how to "Stay cool".

I enjoyed reading this book. The rhyming used by the author was fun and the illustrations helped to enhance the story. This watery tale of a sleepover and how even fearsome creatures (like a shark) manage their fear of the dark. Clark the Shark is a great read-aloud picture book, with fun rhythm and rhyme, from the ever-popular Bruce Hale and Guy Francis. A serious book addict, Bruce wanted to be a children's book author since he was in 4th grade (right after he got over wanting to be a pirate, Tarzan, and Daniel Boone). Today he's the author-illustrator of over 70 seriously funny books for kids, so some dreams do come true. Clark the Shark is nervous to be sleeping outside for his first sleepover with his friends. His rhyme helps him stay cool: “Take heart, be smart, sharks aren’t afraid of the dark.” But while telling scary stories his friends make a revelation of their own. Does sharing your fears help?An eco-minded Redbridge school student who published a book about a friendly litter clearing shark is hoping his story will inspire people to start the New Year by joining green initiatives in the borough. I used this book in preschool story time, and the kids loved it. They loved guessing what would happen next, and sharing their own stories about sleepovers and how to overcome fears. The major themes in this story are overcoming your fears and friendship. Clark was very afraid of the dark but thought of ways that would help him get through the night without his night light, and he did it! But he couldn't have done it without the help of his friends. He was nervous that they would make fun of him for being scared of the dark, but instead they all came together and helped each other overcome their fears, which is what true friendship is all about.

Celebrate love with the New York Times Best-Selling Crayons! This charming title featuring everyone's favorite coloring crew is the perfect gift for that special someone any day of the year. The character Clark is having his first sleepover, and him and all his friends are going to sleep outside in the dark. Clark is afraid of the dark, but to help him face his fear he creates a rhyme for himself- "Take heart, be smart, sharks aren't afraid of the dark". Clark and his friends realize that it's okay to have fears, and they get through their fears through creating a rhyme together. This one is cute, but nothing spectacular. Clark is still a very relatable character for bouncy younger children. Here he runs the emotional gamut from excitement about his sleepover to fear of the dark. The pictures are still fun, with silly little jokes hidden in. The main themes of this book are self control, friendship, and good behavior. Clark has some impulse control issues, but with the help of his teacher, he is able to reign his energy in and become a better student and friend to his classmates.The book tells the tale of a friendly shark who cleans up litter from the sea and promotes environmental awareness.