Sharks Unhooked: An Interview with Author Patricia Newman

Some people are scared of sharks, but not Cristina Zenato. Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger is the true story of how one woman is exploring the ocean, helping our ecosystem, and forming incredible bonds with animals beneath the rolling surf. Cheerful illustrations by Becca Hall round out this riveting picture book with a strong environmental message.

Today author Patricia Newman joins us to share how she discovered Cristina’s story, her own snorkeling experience, and more. Read on to watch the official book trailer!

How did you find out about a diver who reaches into sharks’ mouths to remove fishing hooks?

Serendipity! As I scrolled through Google search results for some other research topic (that I’ve forgotten now), I happened on a video of Cristina. I was floored by her courage and replayed the video multiple times before it finally occurred to me that I had an idea for a new book.

Have you ever swum with sharks?

Not the way Cristina has! My experience has been limited to snorkeling above a couple of whitetip reef sharks busy foraging a rocky outcropping. I was equal parts exhilarated and fearful. Exhilarated because I’d never seen a shark in the wild and fearful because of media like Jaws that malign sharks in the worst possible way. Luckily, my excitement won out!

Why protect sharks?

Sharks help scientists determine the health of the ocean. They remove weak, injured, and sick animals and balance predator-prey relationships. As sharks pursue their prey, they force them to change their feeding locations, which changes the feeding habits and diets of other species. In short, sharks are good for biodiversity. The loss of sharks negatively affects coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems.

You’ve written several books about the ocean or water – Planet Ocean, Sea Otter Heroes, Plastic, Ahoy!, A River’s Gifts, and now Giant Rays of Hope and Sharks Unhooked. What draws you to water?

I’ve always loved the water from the time I was a child. I sailed with my dad and made sand sculptures on the beach. I’ve snorkeled, windsurfed, and scuba dived. My favorite hikes include rushing rivers or peaceful lakes. I relax as sea birds dive and recharge as the surf pounds.

What do you hope readers take away from Sharks Unhooked, Giant Rays of Hope and your other books?

Connection. Most of us don’t live close to nature and as a result forget its benefits. But they exist whether we see them or not. In Sharks Unhooked I want to inspire readers to see nature as part of us, not something outside of our lives.

Are you a climate activist? How is education pivotal in that mission?

Yes. Climate change is not up for debate. It’s here, and manifests itself in warming ocean and air temperatures, raging wildfires, catastrophic rains, rising seas, and melting sea ice. We must understand that our actions have consequences. To repair the damage we’ve created, we must understand our relationship to nature. I once heard Michelle Obama describe community service as the work you do for the next generation—it’s the rent we pay for living. I like to think of my books as a small contribution towards that rent.

Praise for Sharks Unhooked

“Newman’s writing is lyrical, with chosen line breaks allowing her to emphasize important parts of her narrative. . . Hall’s digital cartoon art favors oceanic blues and greens that contrast nicely with gray sharks and brightly colored swimwear.”—Booklist

“Through Newman’s sparkling, alliterative verse, a portrait of Cristina emerges—a dreamy wonderer who felt out of place growing up yet found a sense of belonging beneath the waves. Hall’s delightful cartoon illustrations avoid anthropomorphism as they depict a more vulnerable side of sharks. Above all, readers will emerge with a strong grasp of sharks’ crucial role in ecosystems. A conservation tale that’s sure to hook readers.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This is a must-read for shark, ocean, and conservationist fans of all ages. Reviewer Rating: 5″—Children’s Literature

Watch the Official Book Trailer

Connect with the Author

Patricia Newman wants us all to know we are part of nature. As a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient, she shows us how our actions ripple around the world, empowers us to find our own connections to nature, and encourages us to use our imaginations to act on behalf of our communities. Her nonfiction titles have received multiple starred reviews, Orbis Pictus Recommended Awards (NCTE), Green Earth Book Awards, and several Eureka! Awards. She is based in California.