Did you know that there are more than 400 different species of sharks swimming in our oceans? The smallest is the lanternshark which is about the size of a banana and the largest is the whale shark which is about the size of a school bus. And we all know that the great white shark is the biggest predatory fish in the sea, but is it the deadliest? No. This book tells us that scary title goes to the bull shark. It has been responsible for most of the attacks on humans.

Each double-page spread of this book features one of the world’s 20 fiercest sharks. There’s some very interesting general information and then some scary facts about their terrifying teeth. We learn that sharks’ jaws are filled with rows and rows of teeth, holding up to 300 of those sharp incisors within the jaws of the great white shark. And did you know that different species of sharks have different shaped teeth? Some have sharp triangular teeth while others have long, pointy ones. The wonderfully named cookiecutter shark has interconnected triangular teeth which can unhinge when attacking prey, leaving a cookie-shaped bite. And, believe it or not, they like to munch on underwater equipment like cables and even a submarine or two!

Give this book with its awesome photos and a sealed compartment with real sharks’ teeth to children and they will be talking about it for months to come.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 8+