Junior Library Guild

• Set on the lush beaches of ancient Hawaii, the stirring, mythic story is grounded with detailed depictions of the villagers’ struggles to survive.
• Nanaue is a lovable scamp, and his struggles to fit in and his longing for his father make him a complex and compelling character.
• R. Kikuo Johnson’s bold palette and dynamic figuration add to the action and excitement of the tale.
• The combination of detailed illustration and few words make this a satisfyingly rich story, ideal for beginning readers.

School Library Journal

A retelling of a traditional Hawaiian tale about Kamohoalii, a shape-shifting shark god. A young woman named Kalei falls in love with a mysterious man who rescued her from a shark attack. They marry and move to a cottage by the sea where they met. The night before their child is born, the man tells her that he must go where he can “protect” his son, as it is not safe for him in the world. As he starts to grow scales and fins while escaping to the water, Kalei realizes that her husband is the Shark King. The baby is born, and Kalei names him Nanaue. He grows up to be a normal, happy child except for two things: he has a shark mouth growing out of his back and a voracious appetite that is never satisfied. Eventually, Nanaue is faced with danger in the world and must go to the one place where he can be safe—the sea. The story is broken up into easily digestible chapters. The muted primary color palette complements the simple text and the graphic art. There is a clear progression of the story that is facilitated by the page layout, but the fact that not every panel is displayed in the same format creates good variety. Kids will enjoy this simple yet mysterious story.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Horn Book

[STARRED REVIEW]
Part graphic novel, part myth, and part beginning reader, the story tells of the Shark King, a shape shifter who falls in love with and marries a mortal woman. On the night before the birth of their son, Nanaue, the woman learns of her husband’s true identity when he returns to the sea, insisting that he must leave in order to protect their child. As predicted by the Shark King, Nanaue’s aquatic gifts (along with the mark on his back that morphs into snapping jaws when he’s provoked) make living among mortals a struggle. Sharks, superpowers, and the comic-panel format will initially lure in readers, but the subtext of bullying, parental separation, and self-discovery will stay with them long afterward. The characters’ rounded black outlines convey strong energy and emotion, while the panels and spreads feature a lush, colorful Hawaiian setting. The Hawaiian names have clear pronunciation guides, and parents and teachers will find tips for using comics with kids at the back of the book. An “About the Author” contains brief source information.