Children’s Books about Swimming

Is your child ready to dive into the water? Here are children’s books about swimming, whether your little one is excited or scared to swim.

Children's Books about SwimmingSwimming 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.

As they grew older and had more opportunities to swim, splashing in the water felt more familiar. I enrolled them in swim lessons 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. 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.

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 by Julie Abery and Chris Sasaki

Sakamoto’s Swim Club by Julie Abery

Brave in the Water by Stephanie Wildman and Jenni Feidler-Aguilar

Brave in the Water by Stephanie Wildman

Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves by Lauren H. Kerstein and Nate Wragg

Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves by Lauren H. Kerstein

Cannonball by Sacha Cotter

Cannonball by Sacha Cotter

Leo Can Swim by Anna McQuinn

Leo Can Swim by Anna McQuinn

Spot Goes to the Swimming Pool by Eric Hill

Spot Goes to the Swimming Pool by Eric Hill

My First Swim Class

My First Swim Class by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

1, 2, 3, Jump! by Lisl H. Detlefsen

1, 2, 3, Jump! by Lisl H. Detlefsen

Otter: Let's Go Swimming! by Sam Garton

Otter: Let’s Go Swimming! by Sam Garton

Saturday Is Swimming Day

Saturday Is Swimming Day by Hyewon Yum

Curious George Goes Swimming by H.A. Rey

Curious George Goes Swimming by Margaret and H.A. Rey

Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim

Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim by Kim and Stew Leonard, Jr.

Be Brave, Little Penguin by Giles Andreae

Be Brave, Little Penguin by Giles Andreae

Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London

Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathan London

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Maisy Learns to Swim by Lucy Cousins

Maisy Learns to Swim by Lucy Cousins

Llama Llama Learns to Swim by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Learns to Swim by Anna Dewdney

How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals by Michael Phelps, Alan Abrahamson, and Ward Jenkins

How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals by Michael Phelps

The Deep by Tim Winton

The Deep by Tim Winton

Pool by Jihyeon Lee

Pool by Jihyeon Lee

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4 Comments

  1. 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.

    1. Aw how cute! That’s pretty cool that she’s brave about that!

  2. Jill Weaver says:

    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