1, 2, 3, Jump!

by Lisl H. Detlefsen, Madeline Valentine (Illustrator)

Overview

First swimming lessons can be exciting and terrifying, but this joyful and imaginative guide from Lisl H. Detlefsen, illustated by Madeline Valentine, shows young readers how to conquer the pool.

From what to wear (a bathing suit, of course!) to what to expect (no, your teacher will not be a mermaid), 1, 2, 3, Jump! covers the what-if’s and how-to’s of getting in the pool for the first time. There’s a lot to worry about (can I be sucked in the filter?) and even more to be excited about (when can I wear flippers?), and our narrator has thought of everything. By the time she’s ready, you to will want to jump in!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250263001
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	05/14/2019
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	51 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Lisl H. Detlefsen lives on a family-owned cranberry marsh in central Wisconsin with her husband and two young sons. Time for Cranberries is her debut picture book.

Madeline Valentine grew up painting and drawing in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Today, she is a 2007 graduate of Pratt Institute, and paints and draws in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She is the illustrator of Ava and the Real Lucille by Cari Best.

Editorial Reviews

"A splash!" - Kirkus

"Pair this with Cornwall’s Jabari Jumps for an encouraging primer before kiddos head off to make their big splash." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

From the Publisher

2019-02-17

Playful encouragement for new swimmers.

The text's second-person address to the unnamed protagonist (a child who's nervous about starting swim lessons) instructs: "The first thing you need to do is put on your suit." An accompanying illustration shows the pigtailed tot in a suit and tie with a top hat and loafers. "No, not that type of suit. A swimsuit, silly!" comes the clarification. Once the child has changed into a red, girl's swimsuit, the text follows as the protagonist nervously listens to the swim teacher's instructions. The other children in the class don't share the protagonist's worries, and they happily follow directions while the protagonist hangs back, too scared even to dip a toe in the pool or to blow bubbles, let alone jump into the water. Words and pictures humorously play with meaning, as when the child blows soap bubbles with a wand rather than getting in the pool to blow bubbles in the water. Throughout, the cartoon illustrations amplify the humor, and translucent washes evoke the watery pool setting. By the book's end, and after lots of patient encouragement, the protagonist is ready to "1…2…3… / JUMP!" into the water, where all the students get to try out flippers as they swim around together. The protagonist appears white, with long, brown hair; the teacher appears black, and the other three children at the lesson have varied skin tones, with two appearing to be children of color.

A splash! (Picture book. 2-4)

Kirkus Reviews