Ruby Learns to Swim (Phillip Gwynne, illus by Tamsin Ainslie, A&U)

Join Ruby (and her rubber duck) as she learns to swim. Ruby uses goggles, floaties and flippers, learning to float, kick, breathe, and finally, to swim! Phillip Gwynne is best known for his YA novels Deadly Unna? and Nukkin Ya, but he has also written for the Aussie Bites series and a novel for adults, as well as a previous picture book The Queen with the Wobbly Bottom. This book was inspired by his young daughter, also named Ruby. Gwynne’s simple, sing-song text beautifully captures both the sense of routine and the growing confidence that comes with learning to swim. Experienced picture book illustrator Tamsin Ainslie’s gorgeous watercolour and collage illustrations complement the text well. Ruby is depicted as happy, smiling and confidently exploring the water, with several costume changes and her toy rubber duck in each illustration. Ruby’s confidence would serve as a good example for kids who might be fearful of the pool. This is a good read-along story for beginning readers, perhaps especially for those who are reluctant near the water.

Heath Graham is an educator currently working at the State Library of Victoria

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Category: Reviews