Is your child ready to dive into swimming? Here are children’s books about swimming, whether your child is excited or scared to swim.
Swimming had been a hit or miss with my kids in the early days. We could go from one week of splashing and blowing bubbles in the pool to outright fear of dipping their toes in the water. They liked the giant splash that jumping in the pool made but still hesitated to let go of the sides.
How can you ease kids into the idea of swimming?
As they grew older and had more opportunities to swim, splashing in the water felt more familiar. I enrolled them in swim lessons with an instructor one summer but found that the best way to develop their courage was to simply spend more time in the pool. Every summer, we’re at our community pool at least once a week, if not more often. All on their own, they went from staying near the shallow end to canon bombing in the deep one.
Besides going to the pool facilities whenever I get the chance, reading children’s books about swimming was also a gentle introduction to this overwhelming experience.
Through books, kids learn they’re not alone in their fears and trepidation in this new adventure. They can follow along as characters go from hesitant to willing to try and finally to being great swimmers. And with a lot of patience, they realize that swimming can make for unforgettable fun.
There’s Maisy, who feels nervous about her first swimming lesson, but with the support of her friends Eddie and Tallulah, she jumps right in. You’ll also meet a little girl who has a stomach ache at every swim lesson. And you’ll root for Jabari, a young boy who draws the courage to bounce off the diving board.
Below are my recommendations for children’s books about swimming to help your little one make that important leap:
Children’s books about swimming
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Sakamoto’s Swim Club by Julie Abery
Brave in the Water by Stephanie Wildman
Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves by Lauren H. Kerstein
Spot Goes to the Swimming Pool by Eric Hill
My First Swim Class by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
1, 2, 3, Jump! by Lisl H. Detlefsen
Otter: Let’s Go Swimming! by Sam Garton
Saturday Is Swimming Day by Hyewon Yum
Curious George Goes Swimming by Margaret and H.A. Rey
Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim by Kim and Stew Leonard, Jr.
Be Brave, Little Penguin by Giles Andreae
Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London
Maisy Learns to Swim by Lucy Cousins
Llama Llama Learns to Swim by Anna Dewdney
How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals by Michael Phelps
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Free resource: Want even more book selections? Join my newsletter and grab the Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:
I didn’t even know about these books! My grandchildren all think they are fish. The oldest (5) can’t figure out why we don’t just let her go into the deep end by herself. LOL. Oddly, my kids weren’t really like that.
Aw how cute! That’s pretty cool that she’s brave about that!
I am trying to find a book for a 9yr. girl who was afraid of all outdoor sports and, this past year tried swimming and, has become a natural. I would like a book about the rewards of doing your best at swimming, and basically a book she would really feel good about her talent she just found.
Thank You,
Jill Weaver
Hi Jill, Check out Trudy’s Big Swim by Sue Macy (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/37Vbg85 It’ll hopefully inspire her.