What If the Shark Wears Tennis Shoes? [Hardcover]

Winifred Morris (Author), Betsy Lewin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1990

Stephen's nighttime fear materializes, a shark that gets all the way upstairs and into his room to try to eat him, but Stephen has an alternative suggestion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stephen is afraid to close his eyes at bedtime, even though his mother assures him that "Nothing can hurt you here in your bed." But the fearful boy asks, "What if a shark comes? What if he eats me?," and proceeds to create a string of hypothetical situations, all humorously depicted in Lewin's cartoon-like pictures. He imagines a menacing shark--with stylish driving gloves--offering him a ride in a stolen Ferrari; consulting a map and compass to locate the boy's house; and--resourcefully wearing tennis shoes so he won't make noise--using a pick and a rope to climb the stairs to Stephen's room. Sure enough, shortly after his mother bids him goodnight, the boy has a visitor: a hungry shark in tennis shoes searching for a boy to eat. The quick-thinking Stephen manages to suggest an alternate entree. Morris's playfully absurd look at nighttime fears may help some children put theirs in perspective. At the very least, youngsters will chuckle over Stephen's nonsensical notions. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Young Stephen's bedtime fear that a shark will come and eat him is not eased by his mother's repeated reassurances; sure enough, later that night a shark pulls its way up the stairs, dragging a jug of milk and a bag of sugar behind it. Although he is terrified, Stephen asks, " 'What are you going to do with all of that?' " The shark snarls, " 'You think boys are tender? You think boys are sweet? The only way I can choke them down is with lots of milk and sugar.' " Stephen quickly suggests an alternative diet: breakfast cereal. The shark becomes a delighted, if messy, vegetarian. In Lewin's fluid, thick-lined watercolors, the shark is huge, toothy, scowling--and not particularly scary (maybe it's the sneakers). The text's rhythmic structure, punctuated by a refrain that will have readers chanting along--" 'You ask too many questions. Where do you get such silly ideas?' "--accentuates the story's humor. A fresh, funny reworking of the familiar "nighttime anxieties overcome" theme. --John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (September 30, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689315872
• ISBN-13: 978-0689315879
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,583,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Why Would A Shark Wear Tennis Shoes?, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: What If the Shark Wears Tennis Shoes? (Library Binding)

To sneak up the stairs, of course. And what would the shark do at the top of the stairs? Well, you'd have to read the book to find out.

This thoroughly delightful story captures the attention of 4-7 year olds each year as I read it in Storytime. It clearly expresses the fears of Stephen, who has a tendency to exaggerate, and also doesn't want to go to bed in the dark. This imaginative tale ends on a highly satisfying note as Stephen uses his wit to solve his dilemma.