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Thursday, June 23, 2011

6 Kids' Books About Swimming



by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
1997 | 32 pages | Picture Book
This is my favorite Froggie book, mainly because of the catchy refrain that actually helped me when I was learning to swim as an adult: "Bubble, bubble, toot, toot, chicken, airplane soldier." This little jingle lists all the motions Froggy makes to become a successful swimmer.


by Judy Blume
1972 | 144 pages | Middle Grade
In this book from the Fudge series, the Tubmans go upstate to Tarrytown for the summer, where Sheila faces a number of her fears, including swimming.


by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
1995 | 144 pages | Middle Grade
The covers on the new editions of this series are gorgeous! This is the 7th book, where Alice's fear of the water nearly ruins her summer by keeping her isolated from the group of kids hanging out at Mark Stedmeister's pool.


by Chris Crutcher
2001 | 224 pages | Young Adult
T.J. (The Tao) Jones attends high school in Cutter, Washington, where sports mean everything, and bullying of physically weak kids is overlooked. T.J. decides to form a misfit swim team, with the promise that every member will earn a letter jacket and the respect that comes with it.

by Kit Allen
2003 | 13 pages | Board Book
This simple (and adorable) board book depicts a bald little boy getting ready to take a swim. His facial expressions and simple poses really bring the entire experience to life, making this an amusing book for babies and big kids alike.

by Tricia Rayburn
2007 | 256 pages | Middle Grade
Maggie uses swimming with her school's Water Wings team as one way to get healthy after she overcomes her candy addiction.
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4 comments:

  1. SarahJune 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    When I saw swimming right away I remembered The Night Swimmers by Betsy Byars. I must have read that 25 years ago, but I still recall the descriptions of the kids swimming in the pool at night and "skinning the cat"-a move I then tried many times to do myself (but could not!)

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  2. KatieJune 23, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I don't know that one, I'll have to look for it! I honestly can't remember reading anything by Betsy Byars, but that doesn't seem possible...

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  3. Ms. YinglingJune 23, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Crutcher has another one about a school swim team that I like even better-- Stotan. Great list.

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  4. KatieJune 23, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Stotan is wonderful, too. Crutcher is one of my favorites.

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