BOOKS: Shark VS. Train

Congratulations to Jessica Middlebrooks for winning this week's book giveaway!  While this contest is now closed, please come back to SixSeeds for more giveaways for good, family, fun!

At SixSeeds, we believe in the power of a good story... even the books our small children are hearing and reading.  Stories have an amazing power to move, inspire, and sometimes even transform lives... even young lives. This week, we take a popular kids' book and examine it. Hopefully, the next time you're browsing though a crowded bookstore...  you can choose wisely!

Title: Shark VS. Train

Author: Chris Barton 

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld 

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Cost: $9.99

Buy it: here

It happens every day.

Boys play in living rooms, playgrounds, or yards across America.

And that play turns into a competition, of sorts.  A trash-talking competition that demands a certain amount of one-upmanship.

In Shark VS. Train, one child is armed with a toy shark, and the other with a toy train.  And an inevitable challenge ensues.

In one corner, we have Shark with his self- professed ornery disposition:

“Hi, glad to eat you, er, meet you.” You know me: Feared more than anything beneath the waves. Devourer of divers, whales, boats – you name it. I’ve never been challenged by anything but my own appetite.

And his opponent, Train, whose pet peeve happens to be smug sharks:

“He really gets me steamed.” I’m the boss here. I’ve got power, speed, loaded boxcars, and a bad attitude. Anything I can’t pull behind me or use for fuel, I just run right over.

Bring it on.

It’s “chew” versus “choo.”  Who will win? 

Well, that depends.

Are they going off the high-dive?

Or are they going to give rides at the carnival?

Author Chris Barton sets up a number of scenarios illustrated by the whimsical art of Tom Lichtenheld. The culmination is a great story that cleverly captures “boys.” (While it’s particularly notable to find picture books that speak “boy,” Lichtenheld’s work usually appeals to girls, as well.)

The Bottom Line: 

Not only does Shark VS. Train paint a humorously stereotypical boy interaction, it makes some very subtle, yet practical statements about life.  Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.  Some people are going to be good at some things, and some people are going to be good at others.  Sometimes, it’s simply the luck of the draw… or who deals the cards!  And quite often – everybody pretty much stinks at the game.

To Talk To Your Kids About:

My preschool aged nephews gave the thumbs up to Shark VS. Train.  They sat mesmerized while I read it not just once, but three times in a row!  Judging from their reaction, parents won’t need to create any conversation surrounding this book.   Kids will be chatting with every page.  In fact, my nephews talked nonstop throughout this book, until I finally put it away. (My nine year old also read it several times  – stopping to ask what “cantankerous” and “disposition” meant .)

While quite fun, this book is more than just entertainment.  True to Lichtenheld’s style – lessons are learned as a byproduct of a good story.  (Isn’t that what most children’s authors would love to achieve?)

For Parents To Consider:

Do you find yourself a little put out when it seems everything is a competition in your home? Or do you turn things in that direction, using it as primary motivator to actually get things done. (Hey, it works, doesn’t it?)

Competition has many honorable intentions; one is taking the natural bent of kids, particularly boys, and channeling them into productive, orderly escapades.  So, when is it healthy, and when is it pride run amuck?  Is the goal “I will be better than you” a worthy one?  When would it be good, if ever, to let someone else win?  Is that an honest way to interact with a friend?

We are giving this book away this week! Please leave a comment for a chance to win. We always love to hear from you.

On one week from publication at noon (EST), we'll pick a name in a random drawing from all eligible entries received and send you an email notification.  When you receive your package in the mail, you'll find out which book you received!

Limit one (1) entry per person; NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 18 or older as of date of entry.