Shark Princess
By (Author) Nidhi Chanani
Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
1
Penguin USA
Viking Books for Young Readers
3rd October 2022
United States
Children
Fiction
Graphic novel / Comic book / Manga: styles / traditions
741.5
Hardback
80
Width 159mm, Height 216mm, Spine 11mm
306g
A new early reader graphic novel series from the critically acclaimed creator of Pashmina, perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly. Meet Kitana-a Shark Princess and the first of her kind. Her allergy-ridden, best friend, Mack, wants to be one too, but he worries that his sharp teeth and big sneezes make him too dangerous to be a princess. With Kitana's help, Mack realizes his unique shine. When Mack puts on his crown for the first time, these Shark Princesses are ready to explore the ocean and embark on a fintastic adventure! Nidhi Chanani's signature artwork brings this underwater series to life in a spunky tale about friendship and redefining who and what a princess can be.
An Amazon Best Book of the Month!
"A finny, funny foray that encourages inclusivity even when it comes to play."
Kirkus Reviews
"The story is overt in its message of self-love, and the digitally rendered artwork is clean and simple with calming washes of ocean blue and scattered bursts of fun color. A wholesome addition to the growing collection of early graphic novels for beginning readers."
Booklist
Who gets to be a princess Thats the crux of this firmly inclusive, emotionally generous graphic novel by Chanani. Readers are immersed in an undersea cartoon world where Kitana, a whale shark sporting a seashell-and-starfish crown, is the self-declared 'first shark princess.' Mack worries that [his] dangerous teeth and severe allergies are instant disqualifiers [to be a princess], but its his realization that expression and identity arent about rules or permission that make this series starter sparkle.
Publishers Weekly
This sweet early reader comic can be read simply as an enjoyable story, or it can be a catalyst for discussion with younger readers about their sense of self. This engaging story with bright and dynamic artwork can be enjoyed by beginning readers, who will devour the fun story and laugh at the jokes.
School Library Journal
"This first installment in Chananis comics series introduces sharks Kitana and Mack, best friends enjoying an undersea day together. [Chanani] has a lot of fun with language, tossing in puns (she shore would) and coining fishy lingo (somefish) for the early-chapter-book crowd. The story is gentle, but the themeeach of us gets to decide what to label ourselvesis deep."
Horn Book
Nidhi Chanani likes to dream kind and creative dreams. She's the author of the graphic novel Pashmina and the bilingual board book Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend, as well as the illustrator of the picture book I Will Be Fierce. Nidhi draws and dreams in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, child, and cat. Find more of her work at everydayloveart.com.