Shark at Sister Tea
by Barbara Joosse; illus. by Sergio Ruzzier
Primary    Schwartz/Random    48 pp.
5/25    9780593646946    $18.99
Library ed.  9780593646953    $21.99
e-book ed.  9780593646960    $10.99

On their tiny, isolated island, Sadie and Flora celebrate their first solo afternoon with a tea party as their parents sail off to the market. The sisters decorate the garden with flowers and “ribbons the color of the sky and little lights that shone like pearls.” Tea is poured, and a pretty little cake with roses is served. Then a shark, disguised in a fisherman’s yellow slicker, arrives and makes himself comfortable. The sisters smell something fishy and remain guarded as the shark spins tales of life at sea. When he wolfs down three slices of cake, then opens wide to finish the rest, the double row of sharky teeth reveals the truth. “It’s time to go. GOODBYE!” yells Sadie, but the shark lunges and chomps at her, trashing the decorations in the process. Brave little Flora (with some help from her stuffed animal, Blue) saves Sadie, and together the sisters hurl the shark back into the sea. Shortly thereafter, they warmly welcome Mama and Papa home. Textured watercolors, featuring Ruzzier’s style of offbeat creatures and landscapes, illuminate the action, with a dramatic sky in the background. The story flirts with dangerous scenarios but doesn’t dwell on any lessons, instead focusing on the strength of sibling bonds and teamwork.

From the July/August 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.