Saving Shark Pup by Sharon Dalgleish, illustrated by Amandine Thomas

Title: Saving Shark Pup

Author: Sharon Dalgleish, illustrated by Amandine Thomas

Genre: Non-fiction

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Published: 3rd February 2026

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Price: $24.99

Synopsis: The true story of a great white shark pup who washed up on the beach and was rescued by the local community.

When a great white shark pup washed up on Manly Beach, the local community rushed to the shark’s rescue, eventually releasing it back into the ocean.

Great white sharks are vital for the ocean ecosystem, and yet despite this, their beauty and mystery are rarely celebrated. This glorious picture book is a lyrical and emotive account of the shark pup’s journey back to the ocean, interspersed by fascinating facts about great white sharks. The two narratives work together to inspire compassion and hope for one of the ocean’s most feared and misunderstood threatened species.

Perfect for:
– Shark-obsessed young readers and all animal lovers
– Kids and parents who love true stories and nonfiction
– An introduction to conservation and marine science

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Saving Shark Puo is a creative non-fiction story by Sharon Dalgleish, looking at the real-life event of a great white shark pup getting beached at Manly Beach, and the community and marine life expert commitment to getting the pup back into the wild safely. Poor shark pup lost his way! He just wants to find his way home.

Not only does this book explore Shark Pup’s journey through a narrative that shows how people came together to help him, and make sure he got back to the ocean safely, the narrative is accompanied by commentary about what actually happened and what everyone had to do to help, and the various steps it took to get the pup home.

People are often scared of great white sharks – those big jaws and sharp teeth that look menacing. But they are an important part of the ocean ecosystem, not often celebrated. That’s what this amazing picture book does. It celebrates a rescue, and the great white shark with facts, the story about the pup’s journey back to the ocean as it creates a narrative about the beauty and importance of the great white shark.

In doing so, it looks as though it is going to educate people and help them understand more about the shark and its place in the ocean ecosystem with helpful facts alongside the story, and a brief explanation of what really happened at the back. It’s the kind of book that starts a discussion and can lead to more research about sharks and their environment or the story this is based on.

This is a book that older kids will really get into, especially if they love sharks and animals or want to get into marine studies. It’s perfectly suited to an educational and a home context. It’s seamless combination of fiction and non-fiction works effortlessly to engage readers and bring something interesting into the book. These books that combine fiction and non-fiction bring stories to life in new and fascinating ways to engage readers.

And, this book will be important in teaching people why great white sharks are important to the ecosystems of the ocean, and that we don’t need to be so scared of them.