didn't know the secret, and
neither did her baby brother.
Her swimming teacher
definitely didn't know the
secret.
Only Lottie knew a
shark was hiding in the
swimming pool. The shark
didn't want to eat the other
kids. It wanted to eat Lottie."
I am a big fan of Anna Walker and her books for our youngest readers. She exhibits such a child's sensibility in the stories she writes for them. This charmer of a tale speaks to the fear of water she remembers feeling as a child. Even today, when she does swim, she occasionally would love to have a walrus hold her hand.
Lottie is afraid of the water, too - and what might be swimming there. She is convinced that she is the only one who knows the secret at the swimming pool where she takes her lessons. The shark that swims under the water there does not appear to be interested in eating any of the other children in her class - only Lottie. Every Saturday Lottie, her mother and her baby brother attend her swimming lesson. Every Saturday Lottie sits on the edge until the lesson is done, then she gets dressed and goes home.
A surprise announcement about next week's pool party has her wondering what she will do. Enter Walter. Walter does for Lottie what so many imaginary friends have done for other children like her. Walter is constant companion, and cheer leader through the week leading up to Saturday's party. As the days pass, Lottie discovers that her friend loves many of the same things she loves. His calming presence and quiet song might be just what she needs.
Lottie remains hesitant. Can Walter help her face her fear?
The watercolor illustrations are wondrous! Soft and beautifully rendered, they are the perfect partner to the warmth of the telling. Lottie is as tiny and uncertain as Walter is huge and gentle. The details displayed are important without any sense of overwhelming the young reader. They speak to the hearts of those who share this book.
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