Swimming children’s book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. All recommendations can be bought on Mrs. Ferraris’s Amazon Storefront. .)
Big Family Beach Day
by Nina Crews (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Maya, her mother, and grandma drive to their annual family beach outing to meet their extended family. They play in the sand, swim in the water, and have a picnic.
Comments: A whimsical family story that everyone can relate to.
The illustrations were digitally drawn and collaged in Adobe Photoshop.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Dawn Patrol: A Father and Daughter Surfing Story
by Rob Sayegh Jr. (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A father and daughter wake up at dawn and drive to the beach, where they put on wetsuits to swim and surf with other surfers, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Comments: Lovely story of a father and daughter bonding while enjoying the sea.
The illustrations were created with hand-marbled paper and digital collage.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Everybelly
by Thao Lam (Author)
Summary: Maddie and her mom went to the local pool. As they walked or swam by the neighbors, Maddie shared funny stories about them, observing their bellies.
Comments: A funny and diverse book about the many bellies around the neighborhood.
The illustrations were created in cut-paper collage.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Just One Wave
by Travis Jonker (Author)
Summary: Liam goes to the beach with his baby sibling, Sonja, and his mother, waiting for a wave to occur on the still water. It’s time to go when Liam realizes he can make one big wave, pleasing his little sister.
Comments: This is a lighthearted story that would be a humorous read-aloud for preschoolers or kindergartners.
The illustrations were created using a Pentel Color Brush and Procreate.
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
If you like this one, you may enjoy Travis Jonker’s Just One Flake.
by Travis Jonker (Author)
My Dear Sea
by André Carrilho (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl is advised by her father to “respect the sea” just before she jumps in, meaning to be careful. She reflects on this advice as she shares her appreciation for the beauty of the sea creatures and emphasizes the importance of picking up litter. In doing so, she honors the sea.
Comments: These beautiful illustrations were created using watercolor, pencil, and digital editing and captured the colors and creatures of the sea.
This text is composed in rhyme.
This could be presented as a book focused on environmental themes, as well as on swimming or the sea.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Our Lake
by Angie Kang (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Two brothers walk to the lake to go swimming without their father for the first time since he died. The older brother jumps into the water from the cliff and coaxes his brother to join him. Will he be able to jump without the help of his father?
Comments: A beautiful story of two brothers learning how to grieve while moving forward without their father beside them; only in spirit.
The illustrations were created using gouache with additional textures added in crayon and colored pencil.
This is an excellent story to share with students and children experiencing death of a relative. It is gentle and quiet and does not overly emphasize their feelings.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.