Patricia Newman & Becca Hall
Sharks Unhooked
The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger
Some people are scared of sharks. Not Cristina Zenato.
As a little girl, Cristina dreamed of making friends with the sharks deep in the ocean. When she grew up, she made those dreams come true, becoming a diver, conservationist, and shark advocate. But Cristina discovered that sharks—the sleek, strong, powerful guardians of the ocean—need our help. She started diving in a protective suit and, as she built trust with sharks, they began coming to her with fishing hooks stuck in their bodies. Did she have the courage to remove the hooks?
Sharks Unhooked is the true story of how one woman is exploring the ocean, helping our ecosystem, and forming incredible bonds with animals beneath the rolling surf.
Millbrook Press
Non-fiction Picture Book
Age 5+
32 pp | US$ 14.99
hc | 270 x 225 mm
Publication: April 2025
Author: Patricia Newman
Illustrator: Becca Hall
All rights available, excl. Chinese (simpl. & compl.), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish
- Has a strong environmental message about protecting sharks, which play a cirtical role in ocean food webs
- Highlights a strong woman who forged her own path, following what she loves
- Includes a note from Cristina herself
- Will appeal to fans of books like "The Shark Lady" by Jess Keating
Awards
“Through Newman’s sparkling, alliterative verse, a portrait of Cristina emerges—a dreamy wonderer who felt out of place growing up yet found a sense of belonging beneath the waves. Hall’s delightful cartoon illustrations avoid anthropomorphism as they depict a more vulnerable side of sharks. Above all, readers will emerge with a strong grasp of sharks’ crucial role in ecosystems. A conservation tale that’s sure to hook readers.”—Kirkus Reviews, 23 December 2024
“Newman’s writing is lyrical, with chosen line breaks allowing her to emphasize important parts of her narrative. . . Hall’s digital cartoon art favors oceanic blues and greens that contrast nicely with gray sharks and brightly colored swimwear.”—Booklist, 19 February 2025
“This is a must-read for shark, ocean, and conservationist fans of all ages. Reviewer Rating: 5”—Children’s Literature, 7 March 2025
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