Sharon Dalgleish has over 50 published books for children and worked for many years as a librarian, and then as a teacher. She now spends her days writing stories, non-fiction and poetry for children.
Sharon lives in Sydney with Maisie, her rescue dog/office assistant. Today we’re chatting with Sharon about her picture book with Amandine Thomas: Saving Shark Pup: The Incredible True Story.
From the publisher:
When a great white shark pup washed up on Manly Beach, the local community rushed to the shark’s rescue, eventually releasing it back into the ocean. Great white sharks are vital for the ocean ecosystem, and yet despite this, their beauty and mystery are rarely celebrated. This glorious picture book is a lyrical and emotive account of the shark pup’s journey back to the ocean, interspersed by fascinating facts about great white sharks.
The publisher provided Alphabet Soup with a reading copy of this book.
Saving Shark Pup is based on an actual rescue. How did you first hear about the shark pup that washed up on Manly Beach?
I was living in Manly when the shark pup washed up on the beach, so it was like it happened right in my own backyard. My daughter and her friends were at the beach and saw it all. They phoned to tell me – but I was at work and couldn’t rush to the beach. So, they sent me video updates!
The shark (nicknamed Fluffy) made me think differently about sharks and stayed in my heart for years. As I walked along the beach up to the headland lookout each morning, I would scan the ocean, wondering if it had survived and where he might be now. Great whites can live for over sixty years, so I’ll be looking for a long time!
I was sure someone would write Fluffy’s story. But no one did. Eventually, I sat down to try to capture his story on the page myself … hoping my words would inspire others to think differently about sharks, too.
The book includes facts about great white sharks as well as the tale of the shark pup’s rescue. How did you do your research about great white sharks?
I read everything I could find about great white sharks, in books and on scientific websites. It was particularly hard to find information about how great white sharks are born! Scientists are still trying to discover this. The best part of the research was making contact with and interviewing one of the aquarists who rescued the shark. She stayed by his side throughout the rescue – over twenty-four hours in the water with no sleep and wearing heavy equipment. She also read my final manuscript to make sure all the facts were correct. And she was VIP guest at the book launch party!
Did you work with the illustrator Amandine Thomas in the creation of the book? Or did you each work on the text and illustrations separately?
Amandine created her amazing art after my text was completed. When I first saw her art, I couldn’t believe how she had captured the colours, emotion, movement and even the sounds of the rescue. And how she has added so much to the story with every spread showing a different angle or perspective. We have never met in person (she is in Melbourne and I am in Sydney) but she did come to the book launch party via video! It was so special.
You’ve dedicated the book to the Sea Life Sanctuary Rescue Team. Can you tell us about that?
They worked with extraordinary teamwork, trying different ideas and never giving up. By the end of the rescue, they were overwhelmingly exhausted but also in awe of being in the presence of such a majestic animal. Great white sharks can be dangerous. And this one was stressed and in a confined space. But not once during the rescue did any of the divers feel threatened by Fluffy. They felt honoured to be able to help this magnificent wild creature. To me they are heroes!
Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on next?
I’m working on another nonfiction picture book. I adore poetic, lyrical writing. But I love silly humour, too. So, I’m having loads of fun working on a few funny picture books. I’ve also drafted an outline for a Chapter Book series. It’s about a character who always gets things wrong. I’ve written the first book and now planning the next two books.
Saving Shark Pup: The Incredible True Story is out now! Ask for it at your favourite bookshop or local library.
AWESOME EXTRAS
Take a look at some pages inside Saving Shark Pup
Visit Sharon Dalgleish’s website for more about her and her books
Visit Amandine Thomas’s website for more about her and her art
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