Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld - review

SHARK VS. TRAIN!!!

 

Ok, the best way to read this book, which proposes contests between a vicious scary shark and a powerful locomotive towing six cars and a caboose, is to pretend that Samuel L. Jackson is in your head.

Shark vs. Train
Who will win?
Well that depends on if they're...
in the ocean
or on railroad tracks.
It depends on whether they're bowling...
shooting baskets...
or going off the high-dive.

 

You hear that? The way his voice goes up really high on "railroad" and how he draws out "bowling"? Yeah. They really should hire me to do more voice casting. If Samuel L. isn't available because he's making Snakes on a Plane II: Snakes in Paradise, they could get Patrick Stewart. Or the guy who used to promote the monster truck shows on the Spanish language radio in Brooklyn. "Sabado sabado sabado! Monster truck showdown: Destrucción Total!!"

 

Because you need depth and gravitas in order to wring every ounce of giggle out of this super-silly, brilliantly fun story. Or you need menacing, over-the-top, computer-aided hysteria.

 

Tom Lichtenheld's illustrations give us some priceless expressions - Shark looking a bit guilty after having chomped a grand piano; Train well pleased with a fiery belch - but I think it's the tiny comments of Shark and Train that crack me up the most. "This is why you guys have a bad reputation," remarks Train as Shark eats the bowling pins. At trick-or-treating, Shark is showered with candy when he informs the terrified homeowner, "The clown is very hungry."

 

 

 

Their rivalry, like the rivalry of all best friends, playmates and siblings, is bone-deep and bitter. Think Arthur and Lancelot, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, Gene and Finny. Ok not Gene and Phineas. Because Shark and Train know when to say when, as the challenges become more perilous and difficult. For example, neither of them can manage to keep from getting shushed in the library (HEY! We do NOT shush people anymore!), and when they find themselves swordfighting on a tightrope, they both would rather be somewhere else. As they perform a terrifying motorcycle jump (leaping a truck displaying a very clever joke for all you grownups out there), they agree it's time to take a break.

 

Funny and sweet, great for storytime. Just make sure you bring your BIG voice.

Comments

[Tom Lichtenheld]

Hi, Tom LIchtenheld here. Thanks for reviewing our book. You can see all of my books at tomlichtenheld.com, and keep tabs on the latest silliness at tomlichtenheld.wordpress.com

[truck rental]

Thanks for that great review, it was very funny to read. I wish i could read my kids with the voices of Samuel L. Jackson, unfortunately I don't have big voice to be a truck in the story.