We're heading into swimming and water fun with today's read. I bet there are more than a few young readers out there, who are already ready to jump into the water and have some fun. As soon as the pools open or the days get a tad bit warmer, of course. And see that wheelchair in the background on the cover? I'm betting that will have something to do with this read, too.
But I won't know anything else until I dive in...so off we go with a splash!
A FISH LIKE ME
by Jamie Sumner
Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
Atheneum Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING APRIL 28th!!!
In the spirit of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and I Talk Like a River, this lyrical picture book from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner tells the story of a child in swim therapy and celebrates the ways differently abled bodies can move in the water.
Under here, there is
no top or bottom,
no left or right—
only fields of water to wander in
as topsy-turvy as I like.
Underwater, everything looks different—and every body moves differently, too. During swim therapy, a child discovers he can be a catfish, a seahorse, a starfish cartwheeling across the universe. He finds the magic of moving in wholly new ways, just like he does on land in his trusty wheelchair.
Under here, there is
no top or bottom,
no left or right—
only fields of water to wander in
as topsy-turvy as I like.
Underwater, everything looks different—and every body moves differently, too. During swim therapy, a child discovers he can be a catfish, a seahorse, a starfish cartwheeling across the universe. He finds the magic of moving in wholly new ways, just like he does on land in his trusty wheelchair.
MY TIDBITS
The entire world changes when swimming in the water, especially when a little imagination gets involved.
These pages are a delightful ode to the fun of swimming as a little boy flips, twists, and turns underwater. With imagination, he pictures various sea creatures around him and shows how he can be a little like them. There are gentle additions of facts dabbed in naturally with the text. The text carries a lyrical atmosphere to match the fun flow of the water and seems to swish and glide with the descriptions of what is happening. The illustrations pack color and playfulness to let the freedom and enjoyment come across clearly. It invites young listeners and readers to jump in and swim right along with the boy and other kids.
While this could be a lovely book just with enjoyment the boy experiences while swimming, it goes a step further to embrace a little more diversity. About halfway into the read, it becomes clear that there's more to the swim than just normal fun. This is actually hinted at during the first pages, just not very obviously. For a couple pages, the boy shows how much fun he also has doing small tricks and packing imagination as he's underway in his wheelchair. When it switches back into the water, he's joined by a therapist for a couple pages, too, before gliding right back into pure swimming fun. This raises awareness for individuals in this circumstances or similar in a very positive way and inspires from beginning to end.
And here they are...
Jamie Sumner is the author of the Roll with It trilogy, Tune It Out, One Kid’s Trash, The Summer of June, Maid for It, Deep Water, Please Pay Attention, Schooled, Glory Be, and Wish You Well. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. She is also the mother of a son with cerebral palsy and has written extensively about parenting a child with special needs. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit her at Jamie-Sumner.com.
Devon Holzwarth is an award-winning American children’s book illustrator of titles including The Story of a Book,Listen, and Tía Fortuna’s New Home. She grew up in Panama, surrounded by nature, her dad’s art supplies, and lots of places to swim. Today, she lives in Aachen, Germany, along with her family. Visit her on Instagram @DevonHolzwarth and at DevonHolzwarth.com.
