SHARKS UNHOOKED by Patricia Newman introduces readers to Cristina Zenato, whose lifelong fascination with sharks led to her finding a way to protect and rescue sharks facing danger from human behavior. Always interested in animals, but especially in the underwater world, after learning to scuba dive Cristina found she had a special connection with sharks and was able to earn their trust, eventually becoming able to remove fishing hooks from their bodies. With its poetic text and detailed illustrations, SHARKS UNHOOKED provides a unique way to increase reader awareness about conservation and to inspire empathy as demonstrated through the actions of this brave and determined woman.

I love finding a good children's biography, especially about a contemporary person. This story is especially nice because it can reassure children who have an irrational fear of sharks. It's also great for discussing female empowerment, finding your voice, and caring about the environment.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I will purchase for my library.

I think it's cool to be able to share this story with kids and say it's about a real person. It will be a great example about being whatever you want to be when you grow up. As much as I like the story in general, I feel like the writing of it was a bit choppy and jumped forward at odd times. The illustrations were well done and matched the tone of the story. Overall, an interesting read!

I love the illustrations and the vibrant color scheme they chose. as well as the real photographs at the end. This book would be really inspirational to an aspiring marine biologist.
I also feel like this would be really popular in the state that I live in (Florida). This would be really cute to give to a kid that loves sharks, is going to the aquarium or is going to the beach! I really like that this is a true story that teaches children that sharks need to be appreciated and not just feared. This is a really fun, easy and quick read that I definitely recommend!

Awesome book! I didn't know about Cristina and her work with sharks before reading this book, and I found it all very interesting! I know for certain that young readers will feel the same way, and many of them will also walk away from this book feeling inspired and hopeful. The way the book accentuates Cristina's determination and passion is infectious, and written in a perfect way. Every high and low is conveyed flawlessly, and in an age-appropriate way that will make an impact on readers but not overwhelm them. The illustrations impressively demonstrated the beauty of the ocean and the personality of "slightly tamed" sharks. I have nothing bad to say about this book, and this story will no doubt touch readers everywhere. Bravo!

Spreading Shark awareness

Sharks hold such a special place for me and it was so refreshing to this book was championed by a female author centering on a female main character +sharks. Way to break so many gender stereotypes.

Cristina’s character really demonstrates caring for wildlife and the importance making conscious choices on land to protect the ocean and its animals.

The illustrations capture the serenity and beauty of the ocean’s ecosystem.

This book will completely capture the hearts of 5-10 years everywhere.

This will inspire new fans of sharks and ocean passions instantly.

This story will complement a home library or school setting wonderfully. It delivers a strong message to children about several topics that intersect with one another.

I received a copy of this book from Patricia Newman. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.

I received this book from Net Galley as an ARC to review!

Sharks Unhooked is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about Christina Zenato and her relationship with sharks and the ocean. Ever since Christina was a young girl, she always knew she had a bond with the ocean and its creatures. After discovering a special connection with sharks, Christina makes it her life’s work to help rescue sharks that have been injured.
In addition to the story of Christina, the book includes resources on how to be more shark and ocean friendly and other interesting resources on sharks.

I read this with two 6 year olds both of which agreed the book deserves a 5 star rating for its message and illustrations. We loved this book and send special thanks to Patricia Newman, Millbook Press, and NetGalley.

Look out for this book starting April 1st!

This is the true story of @cristinazenato from Italy who was driven even as a young girl to care for the particular dangerous fish known as sharks and developed a very personal way to remove the danger known as fishhooks from them. Her work goes on to teach us all the need to aid this large predator which is important in balancing the food web.
The illustrations by Becca Hall are imaginative, delightfully colorful, and FUN!
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age from 5 and up, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley on NetGalley Reader from Lerner Publishing Group | Millbrook Press ™ via NetGalley. Pub Date Apr 01, 2025
#SharksUnhooked by @patricianewmanbooks and @beccahallillustration @lernerbooks #MillbrookPress ™ #NetGalley #childrensbookillustration #childrensbook #picturebooks #kidlitart #kidlit #digitalart #drawingsforkids #Illustrated @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk @childrensbookcouncil #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #booksforkids #kidsbookstagram #picturebook #childrensliterature #kidsreads #readaloud #education
#CristinaZenatoUnderwaterRanger #sharks #Italy #bahamas #balancingthefoodweb #protectthesharks #pownonprofit

A truly fun and remarkable story about a woman who made a dream of befriending sharks come true. If you have kids that love sharks, the ocean and the animals that live in the ocean, you’ll definitely want to pick this up for them. It’s a great, easy to read, biography of Cristina Zenato’s mission.


I graciously received and advance e-copy of this book from the publisher on Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This tells the story of how Cristina Zenato was really interested in sharks as a kid and grew up to go diving and helping them. She pulls hooks from mouths along with helping sharks when tangled in fishing nets. She loves what she is doing and helping sharks along the way. The illustrations were nice as well.

#SharksUnhooked #NetGalley

Good Story, Poor Execution.

Lines like "Sadness makes her ill, Illness makes her sad" were jarring as no context was given before or after the line.
The illustrations were fine but the delivery of the message fell flat.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Lerner Publishing Group | Millbrook Press , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kids love sharks and want to understand and learn about them. Ironically , this was a lesson plan for the week I had found this book. I enjoyed the story and the way sharks were presented as mammals that can understand kindness. Cristina finds she loved the ocean and she is fascinated by sharks. She learns that she can establish a relationship with them by helping pull fishing hooks out of their bodies. Her final accomplishment is when she is able to pull a hook out of a sharks mouth.
The book was more poetic and used some good metaphors and vocabulary. I will read this to my speech kids

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a young girl as she learns to love the sea and sharks. When she is older, she learns to scuba dive and she starts saving sharks that are injured.

What a cute book! As a fellow shark lover, I thought this story was great. Cristina was a great character and it was a lot of fun to read about her adventures. I love how she saved sharks.

I think kids will really enjoy this one. I also loved the pictures in this one.

One little note that I have, I am unsure if it was because I read this one on a computer or what but the white font was a bit hard to read at some parts. I would maybe suggest changing the font color if possible. However, in print that might not even be an issue.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is one excellent book!
Read this book to take a journey with Cristina Zento as she discovers her love for sharks and helps save sharks in the ocean.
This is a true and inspiring story!
The illustrations are what drew me to this book but I stayed for the interesting story.
I loved children’s books where the adult reading the story learns something new as well.
I also feel it is important to showcase children’s books on females in the science field. It also breaks down the stigma people may have of sharks being scary/our enemies.
This book will have a big impact for the minds of children and adults alike.

Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!