by
Paula Ruth Jones
Mark the Bully Shark by Paula Ruth Jones is a fun book that talks about bullying and how it can hurt people. It’s a great read for kids, with an easy-to-understand story and a big lesson about kindness. The book is set in the ocean near Miami Beach, where Mark the bull shark loves to surf, but he’s also known as the bully of the coral reef. He’s mean to other sea animals, chases them, and steals their food. But things start to change for Mark when he gets stuck in a hole in the coral, and no one wants to help him.
The book teaches kids that being mean to others can make you lonely and lose friends, but it’s never too late to change. It shows how Mark realizes he’s been wrong and how the other animals help him when he needs it the most. It’s a perfect lesson for young readers about how we should treat others the way we want to be treated.
At the heart of Mark the Bully Shark is the idea that people (or sharks!) can learn from their mistakes and grow into better friends. The book shows that bullying leads to being alone and missing out on good relationships. But it also teaches that being kind and helping others can change everything. Mark learns that being nice and caring for others brings him happiness and real friendships.
It’s not just about stopping bad behavior, but also about building good relationships by being kind and treating people with respect. The animals in the story show that working together and forgiving others can make everything better.
Mark is a great main character who starts out mean but learns to be kind. His change is believable and shows that anyone can improve. The other animals, like Myrtle the Turtle and Nurse Shark, all have their own personalities. Even though Mark wasn’t nice at first, they decide to help him when he’s in trouble, teaching kids about forgiveness and second chances.
The story shows how being kind can turn things around. Mark might have been a bully, but when he needed help, the other sea animals stepped in to help him. They teach kids that it’s important to help others, even when they’ve made mistakes.
The full-page illustrations really make the underwater world really come to life. The characters look cute and lively, with expressive faces. The illustrations match the story perfectly. For example, when Mark gets stuck, the picture shows his big, sharp teeth and how he’s all alone. Later, when Mark changes and starts helping others, the pictures show him smiling and having fun with his friends. It’s a great way to help kids understand the emotions in the story without needing to explain it all in words.
The author has a special connection with sharks, which makes her book even more interesting. She got the idea for Mark the Bully Shark while diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and her love for the ocean really comes through in the story. She also talks about how she traveled and saw how children are treated in different places, which inspired her to write a book about bullying. It’s clear that she wants kids to understand how important it is to be kind and treat others well. In this book, she shows how teaching kids to be kind can stop bullying before it even starts.
– The Moving Words Review
Official Entry: The Most Moving Book Award, Jan. 6, 2026
