The pool is cool

A beginning swimmer persuades their father to take swim lessons, too, in this encouraging picture book from Reed and Knight-Justice. Interspersed with action-oriented first-person narration describing swimming class ("Lifeguards and coaches keep everyone safe"), water-related onomatopoeia provides a sonorous refrain ("Bloop. Dribble. Drip. Drizzle"). When the brown-skinned protagonist's dad fails to join in the fun at a pool party, the parent's avoidance turns out to be due to fear of the water. "Maybe I can help, even though I'm just in preschool," exclaims the youth, and before long Dad is pictured looking comfortable in the pool. Alongside direct text, unlined digital mixed-media artwork foregrounds blues and yellows. This assuring work emphasizes the growth that can happen at any age. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4--6. (June)

PreS-Gr 1--A young child who loves the pool helps a water-shy parent find the courage to learn to swim in this lively, reassuring picture book. Mixed-media illustrations created digitally emphasize motion and splashy energy, using vibrant, cartoonlike colors to capture the excitement of jumping, kicking, and practicing in the water. The rhyming text reads smoothly without adhering to a strict pattern, giving the story a natural cadence that makes it especially suitable for summer story times and family read-alouds. A gentle role reversal places the child in the position of coach, modeling empathy, persistence, and trust as the pair attend swim class together and gradually build confidence side by side. Themes of overcoming fear, learning new skills, and supporting one another are handled with warmth and accessibility for young readers. The protagonist who narrates is a younger Black boy, while the pool and its surroundings are being fully enjoyed by children and adults of various skin colors and hairstyles. VERDICT An appealing choice for public library collections and seasonal programming, particularly where swimming, summer safety, or confidence-building topics are highlighted.--Kirsten Caldwell