Shark and Lobster’s Amazing Undersea Adventure by Viviane Schwarz, colored by Joel Stewart.

Huge and toothy Shark admits to his friend Lobster that he is terrified of tigers.  They decide to build a fortress to protect them from the striped threat of tigers.  As they build it, more and more sea creatures start helping and start fearing tigers.  Deciding that the fortress doesn’t offer enough protection, they all dive deep down into the sea to find a sea monster to guard the fortress.  And in the process they find the courage to face their fear of tigers.

This is silly, silly fun.  The illustrations are done in a comic book style that is friendly and inviting, until the sea monster is introduced with its alarming strangeness is stark contrast to the friendly Shark and Lobster.  A wonderful contrast in style that makes the monster all the more effective and spectacular in its huge oddity.   There are very funny touches throughout the book, including the tiny cuttlefish who offers his help with building the fortress and is very effective much to Shark’s and the readers’ surprise. 

Children of all ages will immediately get the humor of a shark being scared of tigers and children all the way to age 8 will love the cartoon feel and silly spirit of the book.  Not recommended for reading at a story time, this book is much better suited to small groups or one-on-one sharing.  Good choice for guaranteed giggles.