Swimming children’s book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.*
Our Pool
by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Author, Illustrator). Publisher : Atheneum Books for Young. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-10 : 1534499237.
Brief summary: We watch as many wake up and go to the city pool with other families. They change into a bathing suit, get covered with sunblock, and go into the cool blue water. Everyone plays above and below the water until it’s time to eat lunch on spread-out towels on concrete. They do more swimming before heading home with a treat from the ice cream truck.
The bright summer colors illustrations are showcased in many two page spreads with details and descriptive words that had me feeling like I was at the pool smelling the chlorine, hearing the shouting and laughter, and the coolness of the water.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
When You Can Swim
by Jack Wong (Author, Illustrator). Publisher : Orchard Books. 2023. Prek-2. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-10 : 1338830961.
Brief summary: A young child encourages those to learn how to swim and shares all the aquatic wonders they could experience while swimming in various types of waters.
The back pages include the author sharing his experience of learning how to swim and going back to some of his favorite swimming spots for inspiration to write and illustrate the book.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
A Dive Into the Blue
by Ellie Huynh (Author), Bao Luu (Illustrator). Publisher : Beaming Books. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-10 : 1506486347.
Brief summary: A young girl shares her fear of diving into the public pool while standing at the edge of the diving board and letting her imagination almost overcome her from swimming. Will she be able to dive into the blue water?
I would share this book with students to help them learn coping skills to navigate their fears.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Waiting on Mr. Sloth
by Katy Hudson (Author, Illustrator). Publisher : Capstone Editions . 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-10 : 1684464803.
Brief summary: Sasha is excited to go swimming with her best friend, Mr. Sloth, but is losing her patience with his slowness every step of the way. They finally walk to the lake and have lunch before entering the water. Sasha’s friend is taking too long, and she goes into the lake without him, only to realize it’s not as much fun. Sasha returns to their picnic to find Mr. Sloth in a tree enjoying his surroundings. Will Sasha and Mr. Sloth go swimming together in the future? Will Sasha learn to be patience?
In the back of the book, there is a discussion of ways to calm oneself when waiting.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Facing Your Fear of Water (Facing Your Fears)
by Heather E. Schwartz (Author). Nonfiction Hardcover. Publisher : Pebble Books. 2023. Grades K-3. Hardcover nonfiction. ISBN-10 : 1666355542.
Brief summary: Young readers get advice on ways to be calm if they are afraid of the water and are encouraged to take small steps to learn to be able to go swimming.
The back sections are Sink or Float, Glossary, Read More, and Internet Sites.
This is one of the Facing Your Fears series.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
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