I liked this book for many reasons. First, the illustrations fit in with the written text. For example, as I would read the book, the illustrations matched with the first. In the book, it says "He got out, went to the big pool, and, without thinking about it too much, took a deep breath and climbed down the ladder.". Then as this was happening, the illustrations showed the boy standing at the book and then climbing down the ladder to get into the pool. Second, I liked this book because the plot was very organized as I would read the book. For example, it started out as the boy being scared of getting in the pool. Then the boy went in the baby pool, then the big pool. Finally, once the boy got into the big pool he wanted to stay in and he loved it. The big idea of this book is to teach people about fears that can be solved by trying new things. Also, the book helps children see what encouragement can do because many people were helping the boy get into the pool and encouraging him to swim around. ( )

Eric is a young boy who refuses to swim. Practically everyone in the neighborhood is enjoying the pool ,but they can't seem to get him to. His neighbors later find out that its not that he doesn't want to swim, its just that he doesn't know how to. His sister Jessica ends up getting swimming lesson from their mom and that makes Eric jealous. ( )

Eric Dooley watches his younger sister go from her first swimming lesson all the way to the diving board, while his fear of the water keeps him from joining her and the rest of the people

Age: 3, 4, 5
Source: Pierce College Library

This was a story that sends the message if you believe you can you will. If you give yourself a chance you can do anything you want to do. At first he did not want to swim and was intimidated by the pool, not even pressure from family and friends would get him into the pool, but towards the end of the book he was just like everyone else! ( )

This book is great for younger kids who maybe are afraid of water. It also shows how something might be hard and first, but after a while they become easy with practice.