Santa Jaws

September 13, 2021
A punny concept is expanded into full-fledged scenes of merriment in this jolly romp, which imagines various shark species preparing for Christmas under the sea and awaiting a visit from Santa Jaws, the kindly Great White in a red cap. Heos employs carefully crafted verse: As elfin sharks “Toil in workshops deep and dark,/ Making toys from shelly things—/ A seal that squeaks, a ray that stings,” other shark families sing carols by lantern (shark) light. “Then Santa boards his merry sled/”—depicted as the bow of a shipwrecked vessel—“Pulled by hungry hammerheads.” Bernstein adorns each sleek digital spread with glowing jellyfish and colorful coral, as well as green kelp “trees” decorated with sand dollars and shells as well as topped with starfish. An inviting, informational, and celebratory book for shark fans. Back matter features more information on the shark species pictured. Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2021
Sharks of many kinds enjoy a deep sea version of Christmas in this underwater holiday story. Kids on land send their Christmas wishes to Santa Claus, but young sharks "line up for Santa Jaws," a great white shark in a Santa hat who thinks all their wishes sound "delicious." Deep in the workshop, elfin sharks make toys from shells. Horn sharks "trim the Christmas kelp." Lantern sharks light the night as shark families sing carols. And on the big night, Santa Jaws rides in his sleigh, the prow of a wrecked ship pulled by "hungry hammerheads," and delivers fishy toys for good sharks and rotten fish for bad pups. A final spread gives fun facts about the eight shark species that appear in the story. The text is delivered in rhyming couplets, and the running joke about Santa Jaws wanting to eat everything is explained in a concluding note about the munching habits of great white sharks. The colorful illustrations put the ocean theme to good use: The pictures are cartoony, but the blue and green color palette is decorated with realistically colorful shells and seaweed. Only the Santa hat and shark-fin-shaped stockings superimpose artificial red and white Christmas colors. The text is bouncy, and the endmatter is informative. While this ephemeral offering is unlikely to earn a permanent spot on shelves, it will glean chuckles and interest from a select group of youngsters interested in marine life. (This book was reviewed digitally.) For readers dying for a shark-themed Christmas book. (Picture book. 3-7)

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November 1, 2021
"While kids write notes to Santa Claus, / Sharks line up for Santa Jaws." In this silly sea-sonal tale, readers and listeners meet a great-white-shark Santa, hammerhead reindeer, and (what else?) elfin-shark elves. Bernstein's clear, cartoony illustrations bring the creatures' big personalities (and their big mouths) to life as they belt out carols and prepare toothsome treats. Heos's rhymes bounce right along, and by the end Santa's work is done. "Waving a fin, he roars a good night: / FISHY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, / AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE!" A brief appended spread provides more information about the featured shark species. Elissa Gershowitz

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2021
"While kids write notes to Santa Claus, / Sharks line up for Santa Jaws." In this silly sea-sonal tale, readers and listeners meet a great-white-shark Santa, hammerhead reindeer, and (what else?) elfin-shark elves. Bernstein's clear, cartoony illustrations bring the creatures' big personalities (and their big mouths) to life as they belt out carols and prepare toothsome treats. Heos's rhymes bounce right along, and by the end Santa's work is done. "Waving a fin, he roars a good night: / FISHY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, / AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE!" A brief appended spread provides more information about the featured shark species.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)