jesstele's review against another edition
4.0
These illustrations are just too cute! Definitely a book to reassure kids who are nervous about pools and swimming. Nicely done.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
In this picture book about that first scary swimming lesson, an off-page narrator tries to encourage a very reluctant young girl to take that first plunge. After getting suited up, the girl stands at the pool's edge with her swim class while the swim teacher begins by teach pool safety and etiquette. Then it's time to jump into the water, but our protagonist remains behind, afraid the cold water will turn her into a kidsicle, not liking the smell of the chlorine, afraid of the pool's filter - what if it's really a creature? The narrator gently explains away all these fears, while the swim teacher allows the girl time to conquer each one. So she sits at the pool's edge and practices blowing bubbles and kicking while the other kids learn to do this in the pool. What finally gets our girl to jump into the pool? Reassurance that her teachers will catch her, and the promise of trying out some flippers. Patience and humor win the day in this sweet story about overcoming fear. The playful cartoon-like pool illustrations are done in shades of chlorine blues surrounded by white tiles against the colorful bathing suits of all the swimmers, including the supportive older women doing water aerobics. Pair this with Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall and Saturday is Swimming Day by Hyewom Yum for a nice collection of learning to swim/conquering fear books.
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