Snarky Sharky – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: humour, self-awareness, arrogance, transformation, underwater.
Children’s book title: Snarky Sharky.
Children’s author: Bethan Clarke.
Children’s illustrator: Nicholas Ilie.
Genre: Children’s picture book.
Published by: Little Tiger.
ISBN: 9781838917197.
Recommended for children aged: 3-6 year-olds.
First published: Paperback June 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: children who enjoy lively, humorous stories about personal growth, self-awareness, underwater adventures and big eyebrows.
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Our review:
Snarky Sharky by Bethan Clarke, illustrated by Nicholas Ilie, is a vibrant picture book aimed at children aged 3-6. Packed with clever puns, asides, rhyming jokes, biting sarcasm and laugh-out-loud moments, it will appeal to both children and especially their parents and teachers.
The story centres on Snarky, a shark who thinks he’s the best thing in the sea. His frustration with the reef’s residents – from dolphins to sea stars – leads him to swim off in search of something more impressive. The book is told from Snarky’s point of view, letting his sarcastic and sometimes sharp remarks shine through. The Eric Cantona-esque monobrow and outrageous ego make Snarky unforgettable! Expect plenty of puns and cheeky wordplay, with each character’s dialogue playing into Snarky’s over-the-top sense of moi.
The illustrations are bold and cartoonish, a perfect match for Snarky’s snarky personality. The underwater world is bright and full of exaggerated facial expressions that make the humour pop. For young readers, these lively images bring Snarky’s moods – whether he’s angry, hungry, or overly proud – to life in a highly engaging way. This is a picture book children will want to hear over and over again.
At its heart, the story is about realising the value of what you already have. Snarky’s journey towards self-realisation unfolds with light-hearted humour and a bit of gentle moral guidance. The illustrations perfectly track his transformation, from a shark who believes he’s top of the food chain, to someone who understands there’s always a bigger fish. While the text might feel a bit lengthy for some, the mix of humour and vibrant artwork keeps things fun and will definitely appeal to younger kids. It’s a great choice for bedtime reading.
Our verdict:
Snarky Sharky is a lively, fun read that combines clever wordplay with bright, animated illustrations to capture the attention of young children. Though Snarky can be a bit brash, his journey towards humility adds depth to the story. The book’s puns and humour are likely to hit the mark with kids, while adults might enjoy the playful wordplay too. The illustrations are easily the highlight, with their bold, energetic style drawing young readers in. While the story remains light and amusing, it quietly touches on self-awareness and the importance of appreciating others.
Snarky Sharky is an absolute winner as a bedtime story or EYFS read-aloud. It’s a visually engaging and entertaining choice for younger children, offering a fun way to explore important life lessons.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Discuss ego versus humility. How does Snarky Sharky come to appreciate what he has by the end of the book?
- Take a closer look at the various characters. How do Snarky’s opinions of them evolve over the course of the story?
- Explore the puns! Can the children come up with their own sea-themed wordplay?
- Ask the children to draw their favourite sea creature from the book and describe its personality.
- Discuss self-reflection. How can we sometimes overestimate ourselves, and what can we do to be more humble?
- Compare Snarky Sharky to other characters from stories with similar themes of self-importance and growth. How are their journeys alike or different?
Many thanks to Little Tiger for the review copy.
To order a class set of this book, please click below to order via uk.bookshop.org, an organisation that supports local bookshops, or Amazon.co.uk.
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