WHEN YOU CAN SWIM

This book offers beginning swimmers both comfort and the exciting promise of adventure and discovery that awaits “when you can swim.” The illustrations depict adults sharing the joys of water with their young ones, from the gentle shallows perfect for lazy afternoons to the magical depths of underwater worlds. Wong’s stunning watercolor-and-pastel artwork showcases his mastery of light and shadow, giving each page a dynamic, lifelike quality. Combined with lyrical text (“When you can swim, / we’ll bend like boulders / beneath rushing waterfalls”), each frame immerses readers in the vibrant sights, sounds, and sensations of summer. The book features swimmers of diverse body types, ages, skin tones, and abilities, all enjoying the beauty of the natural world. In his author’s note, Wong reflects on his own experiences with swimming as a young person of color.

3.5/5