Swan in the Swim

Animal Ark [GB Order] #23

by Lucy Daniels, Ben M. Baglio

Mandy Hope loves animals more than anything else. She knows quite a lot about them too; both her parents are vets and Mandy helps out in their surgery, Animal Ark.

A swan has flown into the Parker Smythes' swimming-pool and Mandy is called to get it out. But the swan's wing may be broken and she looks as if she's going into shock.

Can Mandy get the injured bird back to Animal Ark before it's too late?

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Birds, Juvenile, Fiction, Chapter Books

171 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 1997

About the author

Lucy Daniels is the collective name for the writing team that created the bestselling children's book series Animal Ark, many of the books are also published under the name of the series creator, Ben M. Baglio.

Reviews

[Sammy]

I was completely obsessed with this series of books when I was a child and my aim was to read every single book. They are a really good children's series.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming animal tales that add that special ‘spark’ to any childhood, with their warmth and inner meaning!

Some of my fondest childhood memories are filled with me spending hours with my head in a book, delighting in tales that warmed the heart and filled one with a sense of optimism as to the future. Lucy Daniels ‘Animal Ark’ books were a series that I collected for years and which gave me endless pleasure, as a child who was animal mad and looked to the main character of Mandy Hope as my heroine. I loved the relationship between Mandy and her best friend James Hunter, as at the time I also had a very special best friend whom like myself also delighted in reading these wonderful stories, about all kinds of different animal; from the domestic pet to the wild, untamed animal and the exotic. ‘Swan in the Swim’ was my first EVER animal ark book that I bought from my school fair, which introduced me to an extensive series that would not only heighten my lifelong love of animals, but which ignited a passion within for reading. I gained immense pleasure from reading and it was at this young age that I learnt to enjoy English, by opening ones mind and letting the imagination become limitless.

In ‘Swan in the Swim’ Mandy Hope becomes aware of the news that a Swan has flown into the Parker Smythe’s swimming-pool, and so she is called to get it out. But the Swan’s wing may be broken and she looks as if she is going into shock. Is Mandy able to get the Swan back to Animal Ark (her parents veterinary practice) before it is too late?

One of many delightful tales within this addictive series, which is linked to the RSPCA. Lucy Daniel’s stories aim to promote good animal welfare by her readers gaining a clear awareness on caring for animals, which began for myself at a young age and which I would highly recommend. I learnt that animals need to be handled gently and with care, I learnt that if an animal appears to be sick to always call for help amongst many other things within these stories, that are actually quite detailed and contain a lot of information. Animal Ark to this day remains the bestselling animal series EVER with total sales over 6 million copies, with this particular book selling over 40,000 copies alone. I cannot enthuse enough about an author whose books were such a significant, stand-out part of my childhood and whose messages within shall remain forever etched within my mind, as they brought so much pleasure and joy. Heartwarming, candid and honest about life, death and injuries these books are realistic about animals within a gripping and totally compelling narrative.

Totally absorbing I remember sitting reading into the early hours of the morning unable to put these books down, as I read in a feverish frenzy due to being lost within the most exciting and thrilling stories. If I had to choose one book or series that were the highlight of my childhood then it would have to be the Animal Ark series by Lucy Daniels and that one copy of ‘Swan in the Swim’ that I read first!

*Lucy Daniels is author of ‘Dolphin Diaries’ (about a girl who studies Dolphins) and ‘Animal Ark Pets’ (which is about Mandy & James when they were younger). – I would also highly recommend these series’ as well, for I read them as a child too*

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of many Animal Ark books that Scholastic in America chose not to publish. This was most likely due to the title. Being "in the swim" is common UK slang, but Almighty Google tells me that it is also American slang. Uusually, any title that was too British was simply changed by Scholastic. This happened in the second book, Pony In the Porch to Pony on the Porch. This happened many more times, but why not this one? Swan in a Sweat could've been a good one. Swan in a Situation would've been more accurate.

American kids got cheated out of a really good Animal Ark book. Ideally, you need to read several of the early books, especially the first two and Bunnies in the Bathroom. There is some background information given, but not much. Real author Pat Posner gets right down to the three plots, which of course, intersect.

Plot A is about the injured swan, some of the havoc she wreaks, and what to do with her. After all, swans are large and can be very aggressive.

Plot B involves a local woman getting a deaf Dalmatian. I'm so glad Pat Posner brings up the issue of deafness in Dalmatians. She also has decent tips for living with a deaf dog.

Plot C is something I really could've done without. Welford is trying to win a Friendliest Village contest, with predictable results.

The illustrations were done by Jenny Gregory, who does a fantastic job. Her drawing of the swan leaning against Mandy is not only beautiful, but haunting.

[Taylor Troncin]

Loved this series when I was younger. Still a huge animal lover and would like to read the rest of this series!