The temperature is rocketing up towards surface-of-the-sun levels here in Bangkok, so people are flocking to the nearest pool or beach. The sweltering has encouraged me to pull out some swimming stories. I’m going to start with learning to swim/overcoming fears of the water stories this week (I have enough fear of high dive stories for a whole other Brainstorm so I’ll leave them out for now), and then next week we’ll dive into some more general swimming and pool fun stories.
Drake Makes a Splash (Galaxy Zack, #8) by Ray O’Ryan, ill. by Colin Jack
In a nutshell: Zack and his family take Drake with them on a vacation to a water planet and have to help Drake overcome his fear of the water.
More info: It's super hot on Nebulon and Zack dreams of nothing other than playing in water. But Drake is afraid of the water. Can Zack and his family help Drake get over his fear and learn to swim so they can visit the water planet, Araxie for vacation?
Extra thoughts: The imaginative setting for this story is quite fun. Zack learns a really important lesson on the power of kindness to motivate over taunting/teasing/shaming. I loved how not just Zack, but his whole family helped Drake get over his fear of the water gently and help him learn how to swim.
Target readers: Science Fiction Fans, Vacation Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, TCK Character Fans, Lower Grade Readers
Let’s Go Swimming! (Hello, Hedgehog!, #4) by Norm Feuti
In a nutshell: Harry and Hedgehog have fun in the pool where Harry has to face his fear of putting his face in the water.
More info: Harry and Hedgehog look for a way to cool down on a very hot day, and decide to go swimming. They have fun in the water, but Harry is worried about one of the games Hedgehog wants to play. Can he do it?
Extra thoughts: This brings up some fun hot weather activities, while also looking at a way to confront the fear of putting your face in the water. I like what good friends Harry and Hedgehog are to each other.
Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Animal Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Kids Wary of Putting Their Faces in the Water, Leveled Reader Fans, Picture Book Readers
Mindy Kim Makes a Splash (Mindy Kim, #8) by Lyla Lee, ill. by Dung Ho
In a nutshell: Mindy has to work hard to catch up in her swimming skills (which were non-existent) to pass a swimming class at her new school in Florida.
More info: Mindy's class is doing a swimming unit, but Mindy doesn't know how to swim. Her friend Sally encourages her to try swimming lessons on the side, and with Brandon taunting her, Mindy is extra motivated to learn as fast as possible. But can she learn how to swim fast enough to keep up with her friends and silence Brandon?
Extra thoughts: A great little book about the importance of learning to swim. I love how the adults in Mindy's life emphasize taking her time and being safe over trying to beat someone else, and I extra love that Mindy takes those lessons to heart. The conflict with Brandon has a redeeming finish, and Mindy sees what can happen when you respond to someone with kindness instead of similar meanness.
Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Korean American Character Fans, Learning to Swim Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Becoming a Person of Character Story Fans, Lower Grade Readers
Shark Nate-O by Tara Luebbe & Becky Cattie, ill. by Daniel Duncan
In a nutshell: Shark-loving Nate must conquer his fears of the water to become more like his favorite animal.
More info: Nate is obsessed with sharks. There's just one thing holding him back from practically being a shark. He can't swim. But when his first day of swim lessons is a colossal flop, will Nate's shark days be over or will he stick it out to become the one and only Shark Nate-O?
Extra thoughts: A good story about perseverance and overcoming a bad experience in the water. Nate is quite the colorful character who will stick with readers long after the close the pages.
Target readers: Contemporary Fiction Fans, Shark Lovers, Perseverance Story Fans, Learning to Swim Story Fans, Picture Book Readers
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
In a nutshell: The survival of a school in Florida depends on the success of its swim team, which includes Bree, who just overcame her fear of swimming with the help of an older neighbor.
More info: Bree and her father just moved from New Jersey to Florida. Bree thankfully finds some quick friends, but her class schedule at her new school is stressing her out. The electives she wanted were all full and she's stuck with Swim 101. But Bree can't swim, and she is very reluctant to admit that in front of other who have been swimming all their lives in sunny Florida. An accident with her apartment complex pool has Bree even more afraid of water, but it also helps her find someone she can trust enough to get in the water. Ms Etta, her older neighbor who looks after her when her father is out. Under Ms Etta's instruction Bree is swimming in no time, and even gets recruited by her Swim 101 instructor to try out for the school swim team. For the first time in ages their swim team has a chance of going to State, and it may mean the difference between the school pool getting paved over for a slushie shop or ongoing swimming opportunities. But team dynamics seem to be holding the team back. Can they learn how to be good teammates in time for the State finals?
Extra thoughts: This story covers very relatable topics in an older child being ashamed about not knowing how to swim and the challenges of team dynamics. It also weaves in how important it is to reconcile with friends, fathers/daughters learning how to communicate, and even a short history lesson on why people of color are stereotypically not swimmers. I really loved how Ms Etta and others of her generation poured into Bree and her teammates. Intergenerational relationships are so important and this story shows how valuable they can be.
Target readers: Graphic Novel Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Sports Story Fans, Cheering for the Underdog Story Fans, Learning to Swim When Older Story Fans, Award Winner Readers, Intergenerational Friendship Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Tiny Barbarian Conquers the Kraken (Tiny Barbarian, #2) by Ame Dyckman, ill. by Ashley Spires
In a nutshell: Tiny Barbarian’s newest challenge is to conquer swim lessons.
More info: When Tiny sees the new Bob the Barbarian movie poster for Bob the Barbarian Conquers the Kraken, he starts dreaming about seafaring adventures. There's just one problem. Tiny doesn't know how to swim. Can the Tiny Barbarian conquer swim lessons?
Extra thoughts: An inspiring and humorous read to help little readers prepare to face the challenges of swim lessons. Tiny has a pretty good attitude about it, and his imagination helps provide further inspiration to overcome challenges that arise. Ashley Spires' illustrations are perfect and add to the comedy.
Target readers: Humor Fans, Learning to Swim Story Fans, Imaginative Readers, Picture Book Readers
