The Boy and the Shark

By Cate James

Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd

Cate James is a Sydney-based illustrator and printmaker who has published more than 50 picture books with some of Australia’s biggest publishers. Her previous illustration work includes the CBCA-shortlisted Dear Broccoli (written by Jo Dabrowski) and The Sydney Harbour Fairy (written by The Truck Cat author Deborah Frenkel). She both wrote and illustrated The Boy and The Shark.

This picture book opens with several images of a busy fourth birthday party (William’s younger sister’s), complete with balloons, costumes, face painting and a guinea pig petting service (‘Party Piggies’). We are informed that William does not like any of these things; William likes sharks. He retreats to his room, a veritable shark-fest, while the party can be seen continuing out the window.

It is here that the story takes a sharp turn away from realism: William decides to find a shark so he can ask if they like parties! He heads to the beach and embarks on an epic swim, during which he meets several sea creatures who either help or attempt to dissuade him, before he eventually meets… A SHARK. William and the shark have lots of ‘non-party fun’ together before William returns home (by which time the overstimulating birthday party is presumably over).

James’s illustrations are charming, full of colour, texture and occasional visual humour (young readers are sure to spot the pooping party piggie). The ocean gets progressively darker as the meeting with the shark approaches, but the shark is friendly-looking and smiles (toothily) throughout its interactions with William before accompanying him safely back to shore. There is just the right amount of danger and scariness for young readers; I would suggest it is ideal for ages 3 to 7.

This is not a book in which the anti-party protagonist discovers that parties are fun after all; it’s a book that shows an anti-party protagonist making their own fun one-on-one with a new friend who benefits equally from their time together. It could be used in a library or classroom setting to gently introduce the idea of differing tolerance levels for noise, crowds, stimulation and, yes, parties… with the bonus reminder that you can almost always connect with someone over their special interest if you take the time to find out what that is.

Cate James

Affirm Press 2026

Annaleise Byrd is the author of middle grade portal fantasies Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole, and the picture book You Are Not a Pup!