The Truth About Sharks, from Reycraft Books, Takes Young Readers on a Fact-Filled Sea Voyage
The picture book closely examines the famous—and feared—predator fish, setting the record straight and dispelling many myths
New Rochelle, NY, Oct. 15, 2022—Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books is pleased to announce the publication of its new picture book, Chomp! The Truth About Sharks, the latest entry in the company’s ongoing, nonfiction The Truth About… series written by Annette Whipple. Released on October 15, 2024, the book delivers an in-depth look at the sea creatures that have long fascinated and frightened people of all ages. With essential facts, figures, photos and fun illustrations, it sheds a bright light on one of the world’s most misunderstood animals.
Chomp! The Truth About Sharks tackles fundamental questions about the species, including how big (and how small) some can be, why they have (and lose) so many teeth, what they eat, how they locate prey, where they can be found, and, perhaps most pressing of all, whether they consider human beings their prey. The book identifies and provides key information about some of the more than 500 different shark species in the world. Shark anatomy is shown and explained. One section is devoted exclusively to separating truth from fiction about the creatures.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Annette Whipple is the author of more than 10 fact-filled children’s books, including The Truth About… series featuring owls, dogs, spiders, and sharks. She celebrates curiosity and inspires a sense of wonder while exciting readers about science and history. When Annette’s not reading, writing, or doing author visits, you can find her hanging out with her family in Pennsylvania.
Whipple said that her primary goal in writing Chomp! was to share many interesting facts about sharks and address what she feels is the biggest misconception that people have about the creatures. “I think the biggest misconception about sharks is that they infest ocean waters,” she said. “The ocean is their home. They belong there and keep their habitats healthy. Even if we don’t see sharks when we’re in the water, they are likely close by. But they’re not likely to bite a person because they don’t consider humans as food.”
Based on her research for the book, Whipple thinks that sharks are so misunderstood because of the way people and the media talk about them. “In almost 40 percent of news stories reporting ‘shark attacks,’ the shark never touches the person,” she noted. “The movie Jaws seems to have begun the shark hype—and hate.”
The author added that through her research, she learned some new and interesting things about sharks herself. “I learned that though sharks are fish, their skeletons are made of cartilage, unlike other fish,” she said. “Some sharks lay eggs while others give birth to live young! And lemon sharks have belly buttons from being connected to their mothers before birth. The largest shark tooth belongs to the extinct megalodon and is up to an astonishing seven inches long!”
With Chomp!, Whipple said she set out to give readers an experience that could only be described as “fin-tastic.” Early reviews indicate she succeeded—Booklist said that the book offers “tons to learn,” and that its “lively presentation will draw browsers like chum,” while Kirkus advised readers, “Sink your teeth into this one!”
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: Reycraft Books partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, transitional chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.