The Database Of All The Reviews

The boy who wouldn’t swim

Deb Lucke

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 7

Clarion Books, 2008, 978-0-618-91484-5

  It is a sweltering summer and everyone in town is spending as much time as possible in the pool. In fact they are in the water for so long that they all have “prune toes.” All except for Eric Dooley that is.

  Eric Dooley staunchly refuses to get into the water. He is jealous that his sister Jessica is getting to enjoy the swimming lesson that should have been his, but he still won’t budge. By the time June comes around Jess can swim right across the deepest part of the pool and Eric turns practically green with envy when he sees what his sister can do.

  To get back at his sister Eric yells “Shark!” and gives Jess fright of her life. Needless to say he is soundly punished and by the time he surfaces from his time out, Jess can swim underwater. It just isn’t fair. Eric, in a jealous stew, decides to have his revenge again. Is this how things are going to be for the rest of the summer?

  Anyone who has been afraid of water and swimming will immediately identify with Eric. His means of getting back at the world for his discomfort and misery will have readers laughing out loud, and the surprising ending will have grownups nodding to one another in shared understanding. They know all about this sort of thing because they have seen it happen before– many times.

  This is a splendid summer title which not only entertains but it also might give reluctant swimmers some encouragement and support. Perhaps they can venture into the water after all.

 

 

 

The boy who wouldn't swim

 

An Online Children’s Book Review Journal

Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews

Online book reviews for the child in your life featuring both new and popular children's book authors

Logo final

 

Google
 

 

IB-Banner01

Kids book reviews, including book reviews of chapter books, novels, picture books, and non-fiction from famous children’s literature authors. Your review site of books for children.

Banner for bookstore2
Writing Services Box 2

Welcome to Through the Looking Glass Book Reviews. We have moved! Please visit the new site at www.lookingglassreview.com to enjoy the new website.