You could easily fall in love with just about any story that's illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist David Shannon, but that's doubly true for this mythic Hawaiian tale of justice and compassion from master storyteller Rafe Martin. In an idyllic island paradise, two native kids save a shark that's become stranded in the shallows near their home, but just moments later they offend their hardhearted king and are condemned to death. Their parents beg for mercy but to no avail, and when even their neighbors refuse to help, they're forced to enlist some very unusual aid: Kauhuhu, the terrifying, shape-changing Shark God.
From the tanned, stoic face of the king to the 20-foot-tall, tattooed back of the Shark God, Shannon's rich colors and dynamic compositions serve well to pace Martin's iconic tale. The tension builds as the children's death sentence approaches, but with loving parents and a big scary friend like Kauhuhu, somehow you just know they'll be all right. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
Gr 1-4-Combining threads from a Hawaiian legend and his own creative imagination, Martin has woven a tale of two kindhearted children who aid a shark in distress and, later, are condemned to die after running afoul of their inflexible king. Shannon's vigorous illustrations provide a dramatic backdrop for this well-told tale of cruelty and compassion as the merciless king faces the implacable justice of the Shark God. The author provides a source note explaining his reasons for the changes in this retelling and mentioning the illustrator's research on Oahu. From the vivid cover depicting the Shark God assuming a gigantic human form to the laughing sound of the royal drum as the liberated family sails off to a new home, this is a winning package.Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
*Starred Review* Ages 4-8. The winning partnership that created The Rough-Face Girl (1992) reunites with this dramatic, beautifully illustrated adaptation of an ancient Hawaiian legend. After rescuing a shark near their tropical island--no thanks to their hard-hearted neighbors--a jubilant sister and brother can't resist playing the king's drum--a strictly taboo act, punishable by death. The pitiless king is unrelenting in his sentence, and the children's parents seek solace from the wise but wrathful Shark God, who destroys the island's population with a flood reminiscent of Noah's story, saving only the children and their parents and sending them off to a new life on another island with a kinder king. In text and images, the story creates a potent sense of atmosphere, power, and suspense. Children will feel the roaring Shark God's murky lair, see his "strong, sharp, white teeth," and sense his ferocious omnipotence, impressively portrayed in vibrant paintings reminiscent of Gaugin and perfectly composed for large groups. In a concluding note, the author describes how he toned down the original for a young audience. Even with his alterations, this powerful tale will rivet children ready for a little terror and some heavy but well-handled morality. Great cover, too. Gillian Engberg
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About the Author
RAFE MARTIN is the bestselling author of several acclaimed picture books, including The Rough-Face Girl and Will's Mammoth. When not touring the country as a storyteller, he lives in Rochester, New York.
