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Swimmy
Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger. With its graceful text and stunning artwork, this Caldecott Honor Book deserves a place on every child’s shelf.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
74 people are currently reading
5329 people want to read
About the author
Leo Lionni
174 books458 followersLeo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.
Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.
Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.
Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.
Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.
Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 835 reviews
March 9, 2019
This was a lovely book. The artwork reminds me of days in school when we did sponge painting or using those potatoes as stamps making art. It appears Leo used water colors and sponges and stamps to make this lovely book. It really works well too. It’s Playful and a whole lot of fun.
One fish does not look like his red brothers and one day all his red family is eaten. So he explores the ocean and sees many beautiful things. It’s a simple story for beginners. Swimmy does find another school of red fish who are terrified of being eaten. He comes up with a plan that works. It’s very cute.
The niece thought the artwork was very cool. She gave this 3 stars. The nephew thought Swimmy was brave and he gave this 4 stars. He liked it.
One fish does not look like his red brothers and one day all his red family is eaten. So he explores the ocean and sees many beautiful things. It’s a simple story for beginners. Swimmy does find another school of red fish who are terrified of being eaten. He comes up with a plan that works. It’s very cute.
The niece thought the artwork was very cool. She gave this 3 stars. The nephew thought Swimmy was brave and he gave this 4 stars. He liked it.
August 12, 2017
I have have heard works from Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Marc Brown and David Wiesner, but I have finally stumbled upon some works that came from my childhood a long time ago and those works consist of Leo Lionni! “Swimmy” is a Caldecott Honor book by Leo Lionni and it is about how an unusual little fish named Swimmy, who survives a giant fish attack, tries to find another family to live with. “Swimmy” may have an intense scene with the big fish that might frighten small children, but I am pretty sure that most children will easily enjoy this book!
Once there lived a happy school of small fish who were all red except for one fish was black and his name was Swimmy. One terrible day however, a huge tuna fish came by and swallowed up all of the red fish except for Swimmy who had escape from the huge tuna. Swimmy, now the sole survivor of a tuna attack, then swims around in the deep watery world by himself in order to find a new family to be in.
Will Swimmy find a new family?
Read this book to find out!
Never have I read a children's book that has both effective drawings and a heartwarming story at the same time as Leo Lionni has made this book! Leo Lionni has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this book as it details the adventures of a unique black fish named Swimmy. Leo Lionni's illustrations might look a little bit simplistic, however, they are extremely effective and colorful, especially of the images of the underwater world where it seems that Leo Lionni took a piece of sponge and patted the background with the painted sponge, which really brings out the creativity of the images of the underwater world. The image that truly stood out the most for me was the image of Swimmy himself as he is shown to be the only black fish among a group of red fishes, who merely look like red outlines of fish. Leo Lionni has certainly made this book extremely intense yet heartwarming at the same time as I have felt sympathy for Swimmy after he lost his family to a tuna fish and I can understand how many children and adults will also sympathize with Swimmy's predicament, especially if they lost loved ones to an accident.
Parents should know that at the beginning of this book, Swimmy's family is eaten by a giant tuna fish and that might be too upsetting for smaller children to handle. On a side note, this scene strongly reminds me of a scene in “Finding Nemo” where Marlon's family except Nemo is also eaten by a huge fish and how Marlon has to cope with protecting his only son from anymore danger. Parents might want to discuss about death of a family member with their children before they read them this book.
Overall, “Swimmy” is a highly emotional and heartwarming book for children who have also lost their family members and how they can still find love among friends and other family members. I personally would recommend this book to anyone who loves Leo Lionni's works and learning about what it takes to be a true family. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the scene where the big fish eats all the other fish might scare smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
July 30, 2009
What an odd little book! It recounts the adventures of Swimmy after his school of fish is eaten and he seeks out to find a new one. Along the way, he meets other sea creatures. Some of the phrases are quite good, "and eel whose tail was almost too far away to remember" and some are quite dull, "a strange fish pulled by an invisible thread." The illustrations interesting but not altogether my cup of tea, though I appreciate their merits. Overall, not a favorite, but I'm glad I was able to read this classic.
September 29, 2008
Cute story and fascinating, gorgeous illustrations. Again, Leo Lionni delves into the matter-of-factness of life and shows that one little fish can make a difference. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
July 19, 2022
A lovely fable about a small and lonely black fish with beautifully vibrant art that looks as if it’s moving like the sea itself. A (100%/Outstanding)
July 4, 2021
Cred că e genul de carte ce te impresionează mult de tot dacă o citeşti în copilărie. Ilustrațiile sunt drăguțe ❤
October 24, 2015
Well, I clearly need to read more Leo Lionni. I really enjoyed Swimmy for its beautiful, Carle-like, painting style which young children will particularly love, but also for our plucky little hero! There is some lovely language in here to decribe the various creatures Swimmy encounters and I can see children wanting to mimic and play with these similes and metaphors but for me, it was Swimmy's cunning against the huge adversaries that won me over. A nice, simple story with a strong message. It might feel dated to us but I think children would love the huge double-page spreads of a world under the sea.
March 5, 2016
A little black fish is left saddened and alone when all the red fish from his group are eaten. He swims through the ocean until he finds another school of red fish to join. Only this time, he teaches them how to swim in a formation that looks like a big fish, with him as the eye.
Illustrations are very arty, watercolors.
Illustrations are very arty, watercolors.
November 26, 2008
While I didn't care for the story as much, I did enjoy looking at the illustrations. I thought that it had a nice, clever ending. I'd recommend it.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
November 15, 2009
A classic book on the theme of cooperation. Pairs nicely with Marcus Pfister's The Rainbow Fish and Al Clements' Big Al.
October 28, 2022
Leftist propaganda smh 😂
April 16, 2020
My favorite part was when Swimmy was the eye when they all swam together to look like one big fish.
February 7, 2019
Swimmy is a black fish in a school of red fish. One day, a fierce tuna fish swims in and eats Swimmy's family. He swims through the whole ocean. In his adventures, he is able to see more sea creatures than he ever had before. The illustrator overflows the pages with water color painting and the occasional acrylic to show movement and objects found in the ocean. Ultimately, Swimmy finds another school of fish, but they are too afraid to swim in the ocean. Simmy teaches them how to swim together so that they may move freely through the ocean without the fear of being eaten by larger fish. I believe this book would be an excellent resource for younger students to learn about the different types of conflict. Specifically, this book would be helpful in teaching man v. nature or man v. society. I would recommend that this book be shared with students in grades third through fifth; the stronger plot line would be too complex for pre-k and kindergarten, and first and second graders would not understand the different types of conflict found in a story.
This book can be found in the local library as a Caldecott Honor recipient.
This book can be found in the local library as a Caldecott Honor recipient.
February 14, 2019
Beautiful illustrations, lovely message about working together to be brave.
April 2, 2017
Swimmy is a fish who lives in the sea where all the little fished were red except for him he was black and swam faster than his brothers and sister. One day a big fish ate all the little red fish but not Swimmy. All alone he swam among the other creatures at the bottom of the sea, even strange fish pulled by invisible thread. He then came upon fish that looked just like his brothers and sisters and wanted to play. These fish did not want to play they were too afraid of getting eaten. Swimmy then tries to think of a way him and the other fish can swim in the sea without being eaten. This is a contemporary realistic book with a problem centered story, Swimmy saw how a fish ate his brothers and sister and he wanted to protect his new friends so he came up with a plan to keep them safe. He is the protagonist who helps his friends so that they do not have to hide in the seaweed and the shadows of the rocks.
The visual elements in this book begins on the cover and extend to the back of the book, it continues to the frontispiece and then on to the first page. The illustrations that cover this space are images from under the sea, it really makes you feel like you are there. I think the author incorporated this at the beginning to make you feel that you are swimming at the bottom of the ocean and to spark the reader's imagination. The illustrations are painted using a medium that shows texture, the colors that are being used are all earth tone colors which distinguishes the red fish from Swimmy. A stamping method is used to create the illustrations which also brings out the texture in the paint that can be seen on a flat picture book.
The plot of the book takes on a person to person conflict even though they are fishes Swimmy has to find a way for the little fish to avoid being eaten by the big fish. He uses what he knows about the sea and the many types of sea creatures he had seen while swimming on the bottom of the ocean. The theme of the book is about conquering fears, the fish live in fear of being swallowed by the big fish so they hide in the shadows. Swimmy comes up with a plan for them to be able to swim during the day and chase the big fish away, he solves the problem and the fish are no longer afraid. I loved the story because it showed character growth, Swimmy learn from his experience and adventure to be able to think of a plan to fool the big fish. He didn’t have to help the little red fish but he may have wanted to help them because of what happen to his brothers and sisters.
The visual elements in this book begins on the cover and extend to the back of the book, it continues to the frontispiece and then on to the first page. The illustrations that cover this space are images from under the sea, it really makes you feel like you are there. I think the author incorporated this at the beginning to make you feel that you are swimming at the bottom of the ocean and to spark the reader's imagination. The illustrations are painted using a medium that shows texture, the colors that are being used are all earth tone colors which distinguishes the red fish from Swimmy. A stamping method is used to create the illustrations which also brings out the texture in the paint that can be seen on a flat picture book.
The plot of the book takes on a person to person conflict even though they are fishes Swimmy has to find a way for the little fish to avoid being eaten by the big fish. He uses what he knows about the sea and the many types of sea creatures he had seen while swimming on the bottom of the ocean. The theme of the book is about conquering fears, the fish live in fear of being swallowed by the big fish so they hide in the shadows. Swimmy comes up with a plan for them to be able to swim during the day and chase the big fish away, he solves the problem and the fish are no longer afraid. I loved the story because it showed character growth, Swimmy learn from his experience and adventure to be able to think of a plan to fool the big fish. He didn’t have to help the little red fish but he may have wanted to help them because of what happen to his brothers and sisters.
September 22, 2014
Swimmy by Leo Lionni is a creative book that demonstrates the story of a young fish named Swimmy who is a lone black fish with red brothers and sisters. Swimmy’s sibling reach an unfortunate fate, causing him to be on his own. He goes on to discover the beauty of the sea, from the rainbow jelly, to the forest of seaweeds. He comes upon another school of red fish hidden away in the away in the shadows and he soon realizes he must find a way for these fish to swim freely in the open without being harmed. Swimmy’s uniqueness help him solve the mystery of how to get his new school swimming freely once again.
The pictures demonstrated in the in this book all have calming colors. The artist used sponge colors as well as water color. He successfully uses stamps to his advantage with the red fish showing how uniform and identical they are while making the black fish colored in solid and different. He also uses lace for the sea weed and stamps over them with paint to add a soft dimension. The author successfully uses a circular plot structure by having Swimmy be apart of a school of fish in the beginning of the story, then he loses his group through the book, and finally at the end of the book with him reconnecting and becoming apart of a school of fish once again.
It is easy to identify the theme of the book of accepting the idea of working as a community. The book specifically highlights the advantages of cooperation with one and other in complete coherence, just as the fish do with little Swimmy. The plot of the book is specifically directed with accepting ones individuality and not being afraid to be the only black fish in a school of red.
The pictures demonstrated in the in this book all have calming colors. The artist used sponge colors as well as water color. He successfully uses stamps to his advantage with the red fish showing how uniform and identical they are while making the black fish colored in solid and different. He also uses lace for the sea weed and stamps over them with paint to add a soft dimension. The author successfully uses a circular plot structure by having Swimmy be apart of a school of fish in the beginning of the story, then he loses his group through the book, and finally at the end of the book with him reconnecting and becoming apart of a school of fish once again.
It is easy to identify the theme of the book of accepting the idea of working as a community. The book specifically highlights the advantages of cooperation with one and other in complete coherence, just as the fish do with little Swimmy. The plot of the book is specifically directed with accepting ones individuality and not being afraid to be the only black fish in a school of red.
September 7, 2016
1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Swimmy is a Caldecott Honor Book. It is about a school of red fish and one black fish named Swimmy. When a dangerous fish comes, Swimmy gets away. He travels through the water noticing all kinds of different fish. He then gets a great idea to keep him and his school of fish safe.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a great book for children in Kindergarten to the 2nd grade. It would be very interesting for them and the words are easy to read.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
This would be a good book to read aloud to the class at story time. It could also give ideas for art projects.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Any students who love fish would love this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
The students could definitely read this book aloud to each other in small groups.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
This would definitely be a book that I would read aloud to my students. I think it would be a fun interactive book.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Frederick by Leo Lionni
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
I found an ebook for this story.
Swimmy is a Caldecott Honor Book. It is about a school of red fish and one black fish named Swimmy. When a dangerous fish comes, Swimmy gets away. He travels through the water noticing all kinds of different fish. He then gets a great idea to keep him and his school of fish safe.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a great book for children in Kindergarten to the 2nd grade. It would be very interesting for them and the words are easy to read.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
This would be a good book to read aloud to the class at story time. It could also give ideas for art projects.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Any students who love fish would love this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
The students could definitely read this book aloud to each other in small groups.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
This would definitely be a book that I would read aloud to my students. I think it would be a fun interactive book.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Frederick by Leo Lionni
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
I found an ebook for this story.
May 25, 2016
I have just completed one of the sweetest little books, "Swimmy." This little book is about a happy school of fish that includes one little black fish named Swimmy that is quite different from all of his brothers and sisters that are red. He is able to divert being eaten by a very large tuna due to his fast swimming ability. He is able to get away, only to find himself in the deep dark waters all alone. The book follows his journey through the waters as he is searching for his family. He meets all sorts of creatures on his adventure. This is a perfect book to read to my students as it provides two lesson. Being different is a wonderful thing, and if a group of people can band together they can tackle any large obstacle.
The illustrations are simple water colors yet oh so beautiful. The brush strokes and texture are again so simply done, it is as if they are child like. I found myself mesmerized and starring at each of the illustrations as if they were individual works of art. This is a must have for any educators library.
The illustrations are simple water colors yet oh so beautiful. The brush strokes and texture are again so simply done, it is as if they are child like. I found myself mesmerized and starring at each of the illustrations as if they were individual works of art. This is a must have for any educators library.
November 3, 2016
• Swimmy is the only black fish in a school of red fish, then tragedy struck forcing swimmy to swim farther than he ever has and seen more than he has ever seen. When he finds his school again he teaches them to work together.
• Grades k-3
• This book could be used in an art class or in a lesson about working together.
• Individual students that may benefit from this book include students that need a reminder about the importance of working together.
• This could be used in a literature circle to have students come up with a different way for the school of fish to solve their problem.
• This could be used with the entire class to talk about the art in the book. Students can discuss what they think they artist used to create the pictures. What was his medium?
• Other books like this include: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• This is a Caldecott Honor book that is available through amazon.
• Grades k-3
• This book could be used in an art class or in a lesson about working together.
• Individual students that may benefit from this book include students that need a reminder about the importance of working together.
• This could be used in a literature circle to have students come up with a different way for the school of fish to solve their problem.
• This could be used with the entire class to talk about the art in the book. Students can discuss what they think they artist used to create the pictures. What was his medium?
• Other books like this include: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• This is a Caldecott Honor book that is available through amazon.
October 29, 2014
Another one from the The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury: Celebrated Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud that loses a lot with miniature images. As for Swimmy I think its a cute short tale and with larger images to be able see more detail could be quite enchanting.
Reprinted and/or excerpt included in The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud.
Reprinted and/or excerpt included in The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud.
February 22, 2016
What a charmingly delightful story. Among all the red fish, Swimmy dramatically stands out as different. He is black compared to their red color.
Gifted with the power of speed, Swimmy is the lone survivor when a large Tuna gobbles up all the slower red fish.
Diving deeper into the waters, Swimmy discovers an entirely different world. Eventually finding a school of red fish who are fearful of being swallowed, resourceful Swimmy teaches them to swim together wherein the individual red fish becomes a large figure of one. Swimmy becomes the eye and stands out from the crowd in a very loving way, thus allowing him to not only embrace his individuality, but also to lead the way to be the seeing eye for all.
This 1964 Caldecott Honor Book combines a necessary story with lovely illustrations.
Gifted with the power of speed, Swimmy is the lone survivor when a large Tuna gobbles up all the slower red fish.
Diving deeper into the waters, Swimmy discovers an entirely different world. Eventually finding a school of red fish who are fearful of being swallowed, resourceful Swimmy teaches them to swim together wherein the individual red fish becomes a large figure of one. Swimmy becomes the eye and stands out from the crowd in a very loving way, thus allowing him to not only embrace his individuality, but also to lead the way to be the seeing eye for all.
This 1964 Caldecott Honor Book combines a necessary story with lovely illustrations.
July 2, 2008
This book is by far one of my favorites. The two lessons behind this story are that (1) it is ok to be different and to embrace being unique and (2) when people join and collaboratively work with one another you can accomplish any big task ahead of you. This would be a great story to read at the beginning of the school year and to any age! When you begin the year with this book it allows you flow right into the idea that in the classroom we are all going to embrace and welcome everyone's differences and that joining together will provide a sense of community and family. I think that children need to know this and feel this as soon as they step into the classroom.
May 5, 2015
1964 Caldecott Honor. Favorite Illustration: the forest of colorful, lace-like seaweed growing from "sugar-candy rocks."
Swimmy is a little fish who, after being left alone, goes out to see all of the wonders of the ocean. Upon finding a new school of fish, Swimmy must convince them to work together to brave the dangers so that they, too, can enjoy the wonders and beauty of the ocean. I really enjoyed the peaceful, beautiful illustrations in this book. They look like they were made from watercolor paint washes with stamped details. However they were done, they were gorgeous artistic renditions that brought to mind the beauty of the underwater world.
Swimmy is a little fish who, after being left alone, goes out to see all of the wonders of the ocean. Upon finding a new school of fish, Swimmy must convince them to work together to brave the dangers so that they, too, can enjoy the wonders and beauty of the ocean. I really enjoyed the peaceful, beautiful illustrations in this book. They look like they were made from watercolor paint washes with stamped details. However they were done, they were gorgeous artistic renditions that brought to mind the beauty of the underwater world.
November 16, 2013
I used this book to teach finding theme to my high school students. Some of them thought it was dumb, but a lot of them (who thought that it was dumb before we started) ended up actually liking it a lot.
It's a good book, and a good one to read with kids. It's a simple story, but told very well and it really does show the wonders of broadening your mind and being yourself and working together to get things done. It's a good book. It's worth reading, even if you only skim it in the book store.
It's a good book, and a good one to read with kids. It's a simple story, but told very well and it really does show the wonders of broadening your mind and being yourself and working together to get things done. It's a good book. It's worth reading, even if you only skim it in the book store.
March 12, 2018
شايد بشه گفت "سوييمي" و "تيكو پرنده بال طلا" جزو اولين كتابهاي زندگي من بوده اند كه خودم خوندمشون و بارها و بارها.
انتشارات بهنوش و چاپ ١٣٦٤
از اينكه دوباره تجديد چاپ شده باشه اصلا اطلاعي ندارم اما داستان بسيار آموزنده و جالبي داره در مورد ماهي سياه كوچكي كه تنها و بدون دوست در دريا بسر مي بره.
در اون دريا يا اقيانوس نهنگي زندگي مي كنه كه همه ماهيهاي كوچك از وجودش در وحشتن.
با ذكاوت ماهي سياه( سوييمي) ماهيا دركنار هم به شكل يك ماهي عظيم الجثه آرايش پيدا ميكنند و خود سوييمي بجاي چشم ماهي قرار ميگيره و به اين ترتيب موفق به فراري دادن نهنگ ميشن.
انتشارات بهنوش و چاپ ١٣٦٤
از اينكه دوباره تجديد چاپ شده باشه اصلا اطلاعي ندارم اما داستان بسيار آموزنده و جالبي داره در مورد ماهي سياه كوچكي كه تنها و بدون دوست در دريا بسر مي بره.
در اون دريا يا اقيانوس نهنگي زندگي مي كنه كه همه ماهيهاي كوچك از وجودش در وحشتن.
با ذكاوت ماهي سياه( سوييمي) ماهيا دركنار هم به شكل يك ماهي عظيم الجثه آرايش پيدا ميكنند و خود سوييمي بجاي چشم ماهي قرار ميگيره و به اين ترتيب موفق به فراري دادن نهنگ ميشن.
December 29, 2012
I have to admit I have never read this book in the English version, but I do own a French version of this book called Nageot. My sister and I were given this book when we were young, and we have our own translation of the book (written if I remember correctly using a French/English dictionary) inserted into this book on a type written piece of paper. Beautiful photos, and a treasure from my childhood.
May 1, 2018
Great book for little ones!
1). Kids have fun trying to find the little black fish “swimmy” on each page. It reminds me of Where’s Waldo.
2). The lesson of the story is uplifting. It doesn’t matter how small you are, you can over come size objections, think about solutions, and be just as advantageous as the big.
3). Another lesson of the story is that life is not all about staying safe. Sometimes it’s about having to take risks to live a little.
1). Kids have fun trying to find the little black fish “swimmy” on each page. It reminds me of Where’s Waldo.
2). The lesson of the story is uplifting. It doesn’t matter how small you are, you can over come size objections, think about solutions, and be just as advantageous as the big.
3). Another lesson of the story is that life is not all about staying safe. Sometimes it’s about having to take risks to live a little.
November 9, 2018
Swimmy is a nice book with a somewhat startling sweep-over of Swimmy's family's deaths. Though perhaps that sweep-over is good, given the audience that Lionni writes for. Otherwise, this book does a great job reinforcing positive notions about teamwork, and has absolutely stunning illustrations. This would be best, probably, for a smaller child with a good vocabulary and an eye for detail.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
February 12, 2018
The illustration of this book is amazing and eye catching. I love the story of a little fish with his big idea. I also like the description of the ocean life that Swimmy sees. This is a great engaging book for the little people in out lives. The pictures can be discussed in detail and the lessons can go anyway the reader wants it to go.
April 18, 2015
This is still a great story after all these years. Very good to show young children some of the ocean creatures, and the overall theme of cooperating together for the greater good. And the illustrations are marvelous, textured and colorful, with that runny watercolor look.
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