(4) PS Illustrated by Delphine Renon. Crocodile Fossil loves everything about the beach...except the part about swimming. Following some coaxing from his animal friends, the quiet croc faces his fear, creating a not-so-quiet "SPLASSSHHH." As in The Quiet Crocodile, there's not much story here; the book's calling card is the meticulous art in which critters use the croc's back as a climbing structure.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Annabelle is relieved to be finished with seventh grade. An academically struggling scholarship day student, she doesn't fit in at her fancy island boarding school. Swimming, on the other hand, comes easily to Annabelle--but even that becomes complicated when she is recruited for the high-school swim team. In this fast-moving, believable story, likable Annabelle must navigate shifting friendships, the attention of an older boy, and her long-absent father's reentry in her life.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Spot Sports series. Each slim easy reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four sport-specific vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized around these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of facts. The volumes are light on substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 A girl is fishing in the ocean with her frog buddy when they spot their reflections in the water. They make faces at their reflections, which mimic their every move--until their likenesses transform into a mermaid and her own frog. Soon all four are enjoying an underwater splash together. Although that's all there is story-wise to this wordless book, the summery, swirling art is divine.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. Nate loves to pretend that he's a shark, although his older brother points out that real sharks can swim. So Nate takes lessons, conquering his fear of the water and ultimately beating his brother in a competition. The humorous stylized cartoons make the most of Shark Nate-O's triumph in this appealing fantasy for both shark lovers and the water avoidant.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 With her parents newly separated and her mother emotionally unstable, twelve-year-old Alice decides to live in a tent in the backyard. She makes a new friend (who is socially awkward and also a swimmer like Alice) and gains a babysitting charge--next-door neighbor Piper, who doesn't speak. Diehl's thought-provoking story about complex family and friendship dynamics features a unique and memorable cast of characters.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) PS Piglet Nelly is thrilled with her new polka-dotted swimsuit, but when she and her mother head to the beach, Nelly refuses to go into the water. Gorbachev's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations show Nelly delightedly continuing to wear her suit, even when they visit Grandma, a champion swimmer. Appealingly, no one ever scolds Nelly for her fear, and she gains confidence by watching her grandmother swim.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(2) 4-6 Translated by Edward Gauvin. Jun's graphic novel for young readers begins with Yu'er, a Chinese girl who dreams of swimming in the Special Olympics. When her swim-class application is rejected because of her disability, Grampa has an ingenious solution. Heartwarming relationships, moments of levity, and magical elements also mark the remaining three vignettes. The earth-toned watercolor illustrations seem quiet at first glance, but dynamic perspectives and compositions provide lively energy.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) 4-6 In this well-paced story, sixth grader Cassie feels "invisible" after her family's attention turns to her teenage sister, Julia, and her baby. No one cares about Cassie's grades or that her friendships are changing; no one comes to her swim meets. Frustrated, she heads off on a road trip with Julia and baby Addie, which gives sympathetic protagonist Cassie the courage to assert herself.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 With Hannah Long. A Russian orphan and double amputee adopted by an American family, Jessica Long became the youngest member of the U.S. Paralympics swim team. Jessica's first-person narrative recounts her incredible ascent to competitive-swimming success via chapters (each titled "The Moment I...") highlighting important anecdotes of both failure and triumph. An inspiring and intimate memoir filled with photographs of the athlete's early and present life.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jean Claverie. "Here I am, facing the rock." Every summer, the African American narrator's older brother jumps off a tall rock into the lake; this year, big brother says it's the narrator's turn. Nadon nails an older sibling's aura: intimidating ("He always made everything look so easy") and inspiring (the boy follows his brother's example). The art's sketch-like quality suits the narrator's shaky-giddy mood.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Exploring Our Community series. The five friends from Ritchie's informational series prepare for an upcoming swim meet. Coach Penny makes sure they stretch, get good sleep, support one another, eat nutritiously, and have fun. The informal narrative is accompanied by bold-faced health-science facts or suggestions on every spread. Sunny digital illustrations include bird's-eye, close-up, and panoramic views of the diverse group of healthy kids. Includes ideas for active play. Glos.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Quinn is a counselor at her family's seaside summer camp known for its legendary sea creature. She doesn't believe in Wessie but sees the creature while involved in a boating accident that kills her friend. Quinn battles grief and guilt on her journey toward self-forgiveness; her story is supported by a strong sense of place and a cast of distinct, well-drawn characters.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) PS Illustrated by Christina Leist. A sweet family beach-day story uses repeating onomatopoeic phrasing to add rhythm to the spare rhyming text. "I hear the breeze, / whishery-whish, whishery-whish, / and see a bird, / fishery-fish, fishery-fish." The sandy-soft illustrations carry much of the plot line and match the simplicity of the preschool-pitched text.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) K-3 At the young Asian girl narrator's first swim lesson, she shrinks from getting into the water, and the teacher doesn't insist. By the third Saturday, she's ready to fully participate. Yum conveys the little girl's reluctance through body language. Watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations show people with a variety of skin tones. There's no preaching or reproach, just adults giving an anxious child time and space to try something new.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(3) PS Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. A bouncy rhyme introduces little penguin Pip-Pip, who's afraid of the water. His understanding mother urges him to think positive thoughts about the sea (e.g., there could be "friends for you to meet"), instead of fearing monsters and other disasters. Large, expressive blue- and purple-tinged illustrations show nervous Pip-Pip finally taking the plunge, as well as his delight when he realizes he can swim.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: You Should Meet series. Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Calkhoven introduces "the father of surfing" in this easy-reader biography. She focuses on Kahanamoku's unique swimming and surfing abilities, and his success in four Olympics in the early 1900s. The appealing design features a large font and Lewis's engaging cartoonlike illustrations. The book concludes with a mini Hawaiian glossary and short history and culture sections.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) PS In this follow-up to Vegetables in Underwear, a variety of fruits clarify the distinction between a bathing suit and a work suit for a clueless, uptight grapefruit. The story ends with the grapefruit doing a cannonball and a baby pomegranate swimming in its birthday suit. The colorful illustrations demonstrate a charming self-awareness of the book's silliness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) K-3 Jabari is ready to jump off the diving board! First, however, he decides to let everyone behind him jump first. And then he stretches. Finally, Jabari admits that he might be a little...scared. Luckily, our young hero has his father and baby sister's loving encouragement. Watercolor and collage illustrations perfectly depict a hazy summer day against a backdrop of warm brown skin tones and cool aqua water.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr