Shark in the Park

There's a great book by Seymour Simon called Animals Nobody Loves. I'm pretty sure there's a shark in there. Sharks are ugly, mean, and scary. But like those other animals, we just can't get enough of them. I've got another great book to share, then I'll teach you a great song about sharks.

The second book in our 'shark' Special Double Issue (see below) is Shark in the Park, by Nick Sharratt. Timothy Pope is trying out his new telescope down at the park. As he looks all around, he spies what looks like a pointy fin. He yells (and so should you), "THERE'S A SHARK IN THE PARK!"

Indeed, through a hole in the page you can see a fin also. But turn the page, and it's really the pointy ear of a black kitten. Later it's a crow's wing, and lastly Timothy's father's hair.

Timothy decides that there are no sharks in the park today (Ah, but look in the pond).

The text is a rhyming, sing-songy one. In funny books like this, especially one with clever die-cut pages and a popular theme, the text often falls flat. Not here. The rhythm is playful and stays true. I highly recommend this one.

So here's the shark song. I've heard many versions, but here is the one I like best.

Shark Attack
(Sing each verse twice)

Baby shark (make a mouth with your thumb and forefinger)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Mama shark (cup two hands together)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Papa shark (elbows together)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Grampa shark (curl fingers in to make dentures)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Gramma shark (kissing noise)
*smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch*

Crazy shark (flail arms wildly between bites)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Stupid shark (smack forehead with top hand)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Disco shark (think John Travolta)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

People swimming (make swimming motion with arms)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Sharks a-creeping (whisper, making sneaking motions)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Swimming faster (sing faster)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Lost an arm (one arm behind back)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Lost a leg (hop on one leg)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

See the light (make a circle in front of your eyes)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

Gone to heaven (make halo over your head)
Da-daa da-da-da-da

SHARK ATTACK!!!!