The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt by Kasey Whitelaw. Illus. by Sylvia Morris

Children all over the world are fascinated by sharks and The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt, written by Kasey Whitelaw and creatively illustrated using collage techniques by Sylvia Morris, will provide an engaging look at the beginning of an egg-laying shark’s life as well as the opportunity to join in a worldwide endeavour. The hunt for shark egg cases began in the UK in 2003 and has garnered interest all over the world.

Four citizen scientists will take you on an egg hunt in their particular country. There is Noah from the UK who finds the egg case of a Thornback Skate while searching the strandline after a big storm, Ava from South Africa who finds a Puffadder Shyshark egg case while paddling over a kelp forest, William from South Australia who finds a Port Jackson shark egg case as he snorkels on a temperate reef, and Lily from Alaska who finds a Big Skate egg case in a rock pool in a rocky cove. Along with finding the egg cases, there is information about how to prepare to find them, taking care of the environment, what to do after they are found as well as how to log the find.

The delightful coloured pencil and water colour illustrations layered in a collage effect provide great visual interest and reflect the way egg cases can be found covered by seaweed and other shore and ocean matter. Of particular note are the front and back endpapers gently telling a story of their own. In the final pages is information about more egg-laying sharks and their relatives, plus more detailed facts about the egg discoveries within the book, a glossary and some general information about the Great Eggcase Hunt.

For your own interest this British video gives an excellent introduction and some important information about searching for shark, ray and skate egg cases.

In March 2023 the CSIRO launched a citizen science project called the Great Egg Case Hunt Australia, which is supported by the Shark Trust App. Research technician at the CSIRO’s National Fish Collection, Helen O'Neill says it's hoped the information could help researchers better understand different species of shark. Find out more at the following links: Join the hunt for shark egg cases - CSIRO and https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=878054526588392

Teacher notes are available.

Themes: Sharks, Citizen Science, Marine Conservation, Data Collection, Sea Life, Eggs, Egg Cases, Marine Habitats.

Kathryn Beilby