Sensational Sharks

Dive into the world of Sensational Sharks with explorer and scientist Tim Flannery and his daughter, Emma, as they shine the spotlight on one of the world's most beloved and surprising creatures!

Have you ever heard about the cookie-cutter shark, which bites out cookie-shaped morsels of flesh from much larger animals than itself? Or the goblin shark, which was thought to have become extinct 100 million years ago until a living specimen was discovered in 1898? And did you know that the whale shark has jaws the size of a 12-year-old child?

The earth is home to over one billion sharks across 500 different species, and there's so much to learn about these ancient rulers of the ocean! With their extraodinary superpowers and senses of sound, sight and smell, these fearsome predators have fascinated humans since well before Jaws. Come along on an exciting expedition with the world-renowned scientist and explorer Tim Flannery and his daughter Emma, as they spotlight some of the world's weirdest and most compelling creatures.

This gorgeous large-format picture book comes with lush, full-color illustrations from renowned illustrator Katie Melrose, shimmering silver foil, and tactile grain lamination on the cover - making it the perfect gift for animal lovers and selachimorphaphiles (also known as 'shark enthusiasts') alike!

Discover more fascinating creatures with Tim Flannery:

• Sensational Sharks
• Extraordinary Elephants
• Jiggliest Jellyfish
• Spectacular Snakes

Author: Tim Flannery,Emma Flannery
Publisher: Hardie Grant Books
Published: 06/10/2025
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 12.00h x 10.40w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781761211706
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 04/01/2025 pg. 136

About the Author
Professor Tim Flannery is one of the world's leading scientists, explorers and conservationists. He has held positions in renowned institutions across Australia and internationally, including Director of the South Australian Museum, Visiting Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University and Distinguished Research Fellow at the Australian Museum. He was named Australian of the Year in 2007. He has published more than thirty books, including the award-winning Here on Earth (2010), The Weather Makers (2005), Atmosphere of Hope (2015) and the best-selling Explore Your World series, many of which he co-wrote with his daughter and fellow scientist Emma Flannery. He is a frequent presenter on ABC Radio, NPR and the BBC, and has also written and presented several series on the Documentary Channel.

Emma Flannery is a scientist and writer, who has co-written many of the best-selling Explore Your World books with her father, Tim. Her curiosity for the natural world has seen her travel and work in some of its most wild and interesting places. She has explored caves, forests and oceans across most of the globe's continents in search of the elusive fossils, animals and plants that help us understand our planet and who we are in it. With postgraduate experience in geology, chemistry and paleontology, Emma's research and writing has been published in scientific journals, children's books and a number of museum-based adult education tours. She has worked for and with universities, government agencies and museums. She is the co-founder of Museophilliac, an independent curatorial service that has produced programs for the City of Sydney and the Australian Museum, with the aim of bringing science to life for a range of audiences. Her passion for science has an infectious and playful enthusiasm that inspires curiosity in children and adults alike. She hopes to continue to produce fun and accessible science communication.

Katie Melrose was born and raised along the Southern Californian coast where her love for art and reading was cultivated at a young age by her parents. After graduating with a BFA in illustration from California State University of Fullerton, she quickly delved into illustrating books. Katie is extremely bookish, getting through more than 100 books a year (shout out to audio books!). You'll mostly find her with a brush, but when she's without, she'll be in the kitchen, cooking up a storm and pretending she's a chef - perhaps her second greatest passion in life after illustration.