When You Can Swim, authored andillustrated by Jack Wong, is a wonderful exploration of the many ways swimming canappeal to children.

It is also an invitation to encounter water in its varied forms. Inspiredby the first line “When you can swim, first I’ll take you to the ocean” Wong offersthe reader a thoughtful look at what each moment might entail. From sandpipersat the shore’s edge and water splashing only ankle deep to a long-distance swimto an island, Wong builds the narrative to highlight an ever-growing confidencewith each new experience.

He brings a feast for the senses—the quiet bliss of floating, the enchantmentof standing beneath a waterfall, the clinking of waves over a pebbled beach, treadingwater at dusk as fish leap in a pond to catch hovering bugs.

The characters bring a multi-generational and multi-ethnic richness tothe narrative that feels all encompassing.

The vividly imagined illustrations add another layer of richness to thestory as scenes appear in a variety of perspectives. A dragonfly hoversoverhead silhouetted in marvelous detail against the sunlit sky. Movement fillsthe pages as swimmers dive beneath the surface or jump from above. A doublepage spread highlights a daring island swim. The final scene brings the storyfull circle with a young child at a public pool, probably for lessons, beingencouraged with, “So swim, little one!”

Inspired by his own early fear of the water and lack of swimming skill,Wong taps into his experience and emotions and offers young readers anempathetic and encouraging invitation to discover the joy to be found bycultivating this skill.

Recommended for home and school libraries.