"When you can swim,
you'll rise before the sun
wondering if the smoke on the lake
is really a steaming sauna that would make
a perfect remedy for brisk morning air
then jump in and see for yourself
just how balmy the water is."
What a stunning and uplifting book this is! Just in time for days at the beach and swimming lessons, it is a book born from camping trips where Jack Wong sketched and wrote about the water itself. He saw such joy in being in the natural waters that were part of the camping environment. Though he was not a strong swimmer himself, he wanted kids to find the joy that comes from overcoming any fear they might have of it.
Only as an adult living in Halifax, did he grow an interest in the natural world that surrounded him there. In an interview, Mr. Wong expressed the feeling that often children from different cultures don't see themselves as swimmers. His pastel and watercolor images reflect children from a myriad of backgrounds basking in he pleasure that being in the water brings to a day.
The waters are many - ponds, lakes, oceans, rivers, waterfalls, canals, and a pool. Most of the text passages begin with 'when you can swim', and reflect a conversation between an adult and a child. The astonishing landscapes and ever-changing perspectives captivate at every turn of the page. Listeners will want to spend extra time discussing the many adventures shared in the book's pages.
"When you can swim,
we'll set our sights on that little island
where I know the blueberries
are sweetest every summer
it'll look close enough
but prove farther at halfway
then the whitecaps will pick up"
The same child who is seen on the cover brings an end to the book, suited up and ready to begin swimming lessons at a local pool. In end matter, Jack Wong discusses his reluctance to learn to swim; he also describes his illustration process.
Don't miss the gorgeous endpapers!
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