Module 6 * Picture Books * Feb. 17-23

Shark vs. Train

by
Chris Barton

Bibliography: Barton, C. (2010). Shark vs. train. New York, NY:Hachette Book Group.

Summary: Two boys play a game.  Each takes a toy out of the toy box and enacts what they think will happen if the two toys got in a fight.  They learn that each toy (a shark and a train) has its strong points and its weak points.  The two animated toys are seen facing off in a variety of situations and settings, one besting the other.  By the end of the book you see settings in which neither would win.  There is no clear winner- kids will see that it depends on the fight and that both have their merits.

My Take: This book is fun!  It is a typical argument among boys- who would win a fight between the two of them?  Which superhero would best the other?  Which ferocious animal would win a battle?  The seemingly random choices of toys to compete with each other adds a sense of realism to the story.  The way the author illustrates each scenario by animating the toys into real-life versions of themselves with thoughts and speech makes it so much more interesting!  The book would not be nearly as memorable and entertaining without them.

Reviews: 
PreS-Gr 2-- When a boy with a toy shark faces a train-wielding companion, it sets off a series of imaginative and very funny contests between fish and machine. The result of each battle depends on the setting. Shark wins at high diving, not surprisingly, while Train comes out on top when it comes to burping. Other face-offs are less immediately obvious: Train stretches vertically to triumph at basketball, while Shark's sharp-toothed clown costume works best for trick-or-treating. In some situations, neither combatant fares well: as Train comments on the scoreless video-game competition, "Sure would help if we had thumbs." The cleverly chosen contests reflect the imaginative powers of kids while retaining the consistent logic that's also essential to play. The notion of a shark and a train trying to be quiet in a library is absurd, for example, but the reasons why neither would succeed make perfect sense. Energetic cartoon illustrations take full advantage of the visual possibilities. Creative use of page space and perspectives gives a fresh look to each new battle. Just-right facial expressions capture the distinct personalities of the two competitors, including an evil grin from Shark at the Ping-Pong table and Train's uneasy look during a disastrous piano recital. Subtler visual details add to the humor, including a shark-jumping Fonzie reference that adults will appreciate. This inspired pairing, executed with ingenuity and packed with action and humor, is a sure winner.

Engelfried, S. (2010). Shark vs. Train [Review of the book Shark vs. Train by C. Barton]. School Library Journal, 56(4), 1/5.

With two boys at a toy chest, one clutching a shark and the other a train, thus begins the most unlikeliest of competitions. Who will win--shark or train? Well, it does depend on the situation. If underwater, the shark will surely triumph. But at roasting marshmallows? The train beats the shark's soggy mess every time. From one wacky circumstance to the next, from bowling to hot-air ballooning, there is always a clear winner. Until, suddenly, there is not. Both the shark and the train are not very good at playing hide and seek. They also stink at video games ("Sure would help if we had thumbs"). Just when the competitors can't bear it any longer, it's time for lunch. The boys toss them carelessly aside--until next time, that is. Lichtenheld's snarling shark and grimacing train are definitely ready for a fight, and his scenarios gleefully play up the absurdity. The combatants' expressions are priceless when they lose. A glum train in smoky dejection, or a bewildered, crestfallen shark? It's hard to choose; both are winners. (Picture book. 3-6)

SHARK VS. TRAIN [Review of the book Shark vs. Train by C. Barton]. Kirkus Reviews, (2010).  78(6), 248.

Use in a school library: I would love to use this book to spark children's writing creativity.  It would be fun after reading this book, to have a bin full of toys and have each kid choose a toy from it.  Then you could randomly draw names to pair them up and have them work together to create their own vs. book!  Younger kids could use a sentence starter to help with scenario and sentence (______ would beat _______ in a battle on land because______) while older kids could get crazy with creativity after brainstorming all the scenarios they saw and could think of to pull from.  Technology could be used to share these with other classes.