Shark vs. Train

by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld

Celebrating the competitive spirit of imagination at its silliest extreme, two children... read more

Celebrating the competitive spirit of imagination at its silliest extreme, two children contemplate a face-off between favorite toys—a shark and a train—in a wide range of scenarios. In some, one toy or the other boasts an obvious advantage: shark aces the high-dive jump, while train’s flame-belching smokestack gives him an edge in the burping contest. Other times they share equally in success or failure—their lack of thumbs prevents either from video game prowess. Competition in a range of venues—trick-or-treating, performing in a piano recital, sword fighting on a tightrope—continues, until a call to lunchtime sends both children running off, and their favorite toys are tossed aside without ceremony until the next play time. The ridiculous contests and their visual depiction invite young readers to contemplate additional head-to-head battles between these two heroes, or other champions of their own choosing. (Ages 3–6)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2011

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