Together We Swim

Gr 1-2–With a rhythmic cadence, the text’s spare language highlights the quickly changing emotions encapsulated in a young boy’s first foray into swimming. The narrative goes from his initial trepidation, to a first tentative kick, then increasing confidence, and finally, “I’m swimming! Mouth grinning.” The young boy’s mother stays close, underscoring safety despite a “slight blunder,” even before she reminds him, “Don’t fear. I’m here.” Dynamic, blue-hued illustrations make excellent use of vignettes and highlight movement and time passing, as well as celebrate the special parent-child relationship Bolling explored so well in Together We Ride that forms the heart of the story. Readers will love the illustrator’s details: swim caps on the girls, Dad’s mermaid tattoo, and the way the close family sticks together in and out of the pool. It’s a triumph when the boy makes his first steady kicks and swaggers ahead of his family, proud and confident.