Jawsome: Jawsome 1 & Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2

Written and illustrated by R. J. Timmis
Reviewed by Jamie Willis

Rebecca Timmis is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 13 children’s books, including the Mertales series. In 2023 Jawsome #1 won a Golden Taco in the Laugh Out Loud category.

Shark friends Finley, Hunter, Gilleon and Gnash juggle their double lives as students at Chumville School for Sharks and members of the super-famous rock band, Jawsome.

Each Jawsome book includes two adventures. In Jawsome #1’s Stage Bite, the band’s lead singer, Ann Chovi, quits a few days before the big show, leaving Finley to overcome his debilitating stage fright to frontline the band. In Finvestigated, the band members must find the cause of the chum shortage while keeping their identity secret from a nosy new swordfish.

In Jawsome #2: Licence to Rock, Gnash is recruited by the spy agency F.I.S.H. and the band needs to stop the villainous anglerfish from taking over the ocean, then make it to the Euro-fishin concert. In Zombie Sharks Attack, the band must stop their new rivals, the Killer Wails, and save the citizens of Chumville from becoming mindless zombies.

The characters in these books are loveable and relatable and the stories include themes of overcoming fear, working together and prioritising friendship over popularity.

Jawsome’s entertaining escapades are sure to amuse readers aged 6 and older. The witty puns and playful illustrations make these books a great choice for reluctant readers and children transitioning from graphic novels. Children will likely recite their favourite lines and re-read the books over and over to relive the fin-tastic adventures.

Albert Street Books 2023
Albert Street Books 2024

R J TImmis